Carla’s Story

Carla’s Story

CWJC has nurtured me and shown me how to see myself more clearly. - Read Full Story

I moved to Huntsville in Oct 2014 with my 3 sons Phillip, Elijah, and Scott to reunite with their father. We were all but destitute in the months following my mother’s death in April. We were looking for a new start. With hope and support from family in Huntsville, we began a new journey. I did not have a map or a com- pass. I was praying. I knew God was there, but I was not listening to Him. There were areas of my life that would get brighter, and other areas would get dimmer.

I found a job that I thought would improve my situation and eventually open doors to legitimate job opportunities. I was wrong. I submitted several job applications with no success. Being a homemaker my entire adult life and having no documented job skills or experiences, I found that opportunities for me were very few.

After 3 long years of God’s stepping back and allowing me to run my life, He saw that I was tired. He stepped in again. In January 2018 I received a flyer in the mail for Christian Women’s Job Corps. I glanced at it, half-heartedly thinking, “I’ll give them a call”, and tossed it on the table. The next week I received another flyer. I agonized about it and finally said, “OK I will call.” But I still hesitated. I finally called and left a message for Charmika Merriweather, convinced that she would be too busy to return my call or that she would tell me it was too late. I was wrong again. She called and explained the program and told me what I needed to do. Fortunately, the deadline had been extended. I hesitated yet again and barely got my application in on time. That same week, Charmika called and confirmed an interview for the following week. Later that same week, someone called to inform me that I had indeed been accepted. Despite my delays and anxieties, it all happened very quickly. This was definitely the work of God.

It had been nineteen years since I graduated from high school. I had a flood of so many emotions, but I had to do this. It has been challenging, but the instructors are excellent at motivat- ing and educating. They brought out characteristics that I was not ashamed to share. Each week was easier than the one before. I looked forward to going to class and socializing with my sis- ters. Looking at the calendar, it seemed it would be a long time from orienta- tion to the last day of class; however, it seemed we were finished as soon as we began. CWJC has nurtured me and shown me how to see myself more clearly. Ev- ery day will bring its own challenges as I work to improve. The love I have felt at Christian Women’s Job Corps significantly outweighs the fear I initially felt about starting something new.

I was most anxious about the required Bible study. I knew I was not living my life right, but I was in the right place at the right time. The focus was not on how sin had gotten me into my situation, but how God had brought me here to receive His blessings through His Son, Jesus Christ. He loves me regardless. I do not have to torture myself about my lack of worldly success, but I do have to learn from my mistakes and not continue the journey with self-destructive behaviors.

The CWJC has been a priceless experience for me. I feel I have a new lease on life that will enable me to grow stronger and make better choices. I don’t have a vision of being an executive with a lavish carefree lifestyle. I picture a modest warm home with an inviting yard and simple plants. I picture comfort and stability that welcomes my children for frequent visits home. I see fewer tears and hear more laughs. I finally see myself making these dreams become reality with God’s help. The HOW is yet to be determined.

Several times a year, I will see on any clock the time is 10:34 AM or PM. One night I decided to highlight all the chapters and verses of 10:34 throughout the Bible. The next day I wrote them down on index cards. The most profound for me of these was Matthew 10:34 – Jesus says He is bringing a sword. I believe it is to sepa- rate me from detrimental items, actions, behaviors and people. It is to free me from the bondage to which I have consistently clung. Escaping negativity will not be peaceful, but it will bring me closer to God, and that will bring me peace.

2018-10-31T21:10:17+00:00

I moved to Huntsville in Oct 2014 with my 3 sons Phillip, Elijah, and Scott to reunite with their father. We were all but destitute in the months following my mother’s death in April. We were looking for a new start. With hope and support from family in Huntsville, we began a new journey. I did not have a map or a com- pass. I was praying. I knew God was there, but I was not listening to Him. There were areas of my life that would get brighter, and other areas would get dimmer.

I found a job that I thought would improve my situation and eventually open doors to legitimate job opportunities. I was wrong. I submitted several job applications with no success. Being a homemaker my entire adult life and having no documented job skills or experiences, I found that opportunities for me were very few.

After 3 long years of God’s stepping back and allowing me to run my life, He saw that I was tired. He stepped in again. In January 2018 I received a flyer in the mail for Christian Women’s Job Corps. I glanced at it, half-heartedly thinking, “I’ll give them a call”, and tossed it on the table. The next week I received another flyer. I agonized about it and finally said, “OK I will call.” But I still hesitated. I finally called and left a message for Charmika Merriweather, convinced that she would be too busy to return my call or that she would tell me it was too late. I was wrong again. She called and explained the program and told me what I needed to do. Fortunately, the deadline had been extended. I hesitated yet again and barely got my application in on time. That same week, Charmika called and confirmed an interview for the following week. Later that same week, someone called to inform me that I had indeed been accepted. Despite my delays and anxieties, it all happened very quickly. This was definitely the work of God.

It had been nineteen years since I graduated from high school. I had a flood of so many emotions, but I had to do this. It has been challenging, but the instructors are excellent at motivat- ing and educating. They brought out characteristics that I was not ashamed to share. Each week was easier than the one before. I looked forward to going to class and socializing with my sis- ters. Looking at the calendar, it seemed it would be a long time from orienta- tion to the last day of class; however, it seemed we were finished as soon as we began. CWJC has nurtured me and shown me how to see myself more clearly. Ev- ery day will bring its own challenges as I work to improve. The love I have felt at Christian Women’s Job Corps significantly outweighs the fear I initially felt about starting something new.

I was most anxious about the required Bible study. I knew I was not living my life right, but I was in the right place at the right time. The focus was not on how sin had gotten me into my situation, but how God had brought me here to receive His blessings through His Son, Jesus Christ. He loves me regardless. I do not have to torture myself about my lack of worldly success, but I do have to learn from my mistakes and not continue the journey with self-destructive behaviors.

The CWJC has been a priceless experience for me. I feel I have a new lease on life that will enable me to grow stronger and make better choices. I don’t have a vision of being an executive with a lavish carefree lifestyle. I picture a modest warm home with an inviting yard and simple plants. I picture comfort and stability that welcomes my children for frequent visits home. I see fewer tears and hear more laughs. I finally see myself making these dreams become reality with God’s help. The HOW is yet to be determined.

Several times a year, I will see on any clock the time is 10:34 AM or PM. One night I decided to highlight all the chapters and verses of 10:34 throughout the Bible. The next day I wrote them down on index cards. The most profound for me of these was Matthew 10:34 – Jesus says He is bringing a sword. I believe it is to sepa- rate me from detrimental items, actions, behaviors and people. It is to free me from the bondage to which I have consistently clung. Escaping negativity will not be peaceful, but it will bring me closer to God, and that will bring me peace.

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