Newbie LC Friend Needing Lots of Prayer and Positive Energy Sent Her Way!

[stephiebug]

Hello to everyone

My name is Stephani and I've been lurking and posting little bits here and there for a wee while.

Today, something has happened to bring me forward to really reach out to all of you lovely people and ask for your help.

Just to quickly give you my background -

I'm a 35 year old, single mom of 3. A little over a year ago, my mother committed suicide after what one could call an almost lifelong battle with mental illness. Then I lost my job. After these things happened I went into such a depression I can't even find the words to describe it, even thoughts of my kids, whom I adore beyond all reason, were not enough to help me, I spent the whole summer and then some, in bed. Only moving to do bathroom stuff and eat. A lot of, in fact most of, the eating was done in bed and it was almost always comfort foods, junky stuff, my favorite sins you could say. Things like Cheez-it Crackers and Oreos and "fat Cokes" meaning regular, not diet.

I can't tell you what turned around inside of me to get me up and get me going again, I guess maybe it was the Holiday Season, which can usually be kind of depressing, but, it worked on me in an opposite fashion when I realized how much of my life I'd wasted and how much my kids need me. I realized that with no dramatic affect - If I didn't get up and make changes, and soon, that I would end up dead, too. When I went to bed, I weighed 270, when I got up, I weighed around 320.

I've become so large that it's difficult to move, my bones hurt all of the time, I could go on but there's no need. I am up now and I'm on plan, my WOE is Dr. Atkins and I'm sticking with it!

Here is the main part of my prayer request - I have been on a serious job search and something I've always known and I guess maybe a lot of us know, is that people will discriminate against you on the basis of your weight. My last job, I was at for 5 years and I wasn't huge but I wasn't small either when I hired in. Since I've been interviewing the past couple of months, I've been passed over for job after job that I was well qualified for and I thought "maybe I'm just mucking up the interviews" but I'm not so sure.

I don't want to think about it too much and become discouraged... I got a call today from a large insurance company here in the Southeastern United States, I have tested with them and passed all of the tests and have been called back for an interview.

Please everyone - if you pray, pray for me, if you don't, please send all of your positive thoughts and energy my way! I desperately need this job and the salary is 2 dollars an hour more than I've ever earned. I know that doesn't sound like a lot but you have no idea what a difference just that bit would make in my and my children's lives.

Thank you all for reading, thank you all for being here with you humor and advice and good company. I've spent many hours reading, learning and smiling on these boards and I'm happy I found my way here!!

Love to all,
Stephani

[sugarless4life]

for you Stephani!!!

Girlfriend, you are such an inspiration to me .. when I read your story, my heart hurt for you and everything you've been through .. then I CHEERED when I read your determination to pick yourself up, be there for your kids and to stick with Atkins!

I am praying that you get that much deserved position!!!

Betty

[CaroleKI61]

Thoughts and prayers on their way. Wishing you the very best, love Carole

[stephiebug]

Thank you ladies, thank you very, very much!!

[Tooter]

Prayers and Good thoughts going your way!!

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Take it one step at a time and one "choice" at a time.

((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))

[LucilleMcgill]

I'm sorry to here about your mother and your past troubles. I'm very glad you had the courage to pick yourself and dust yourself off. I know you can do this. I will pray for you and your job situation.

[Livywilltim-mom]

Dear Stephani,

I pray that God will guide and sustain you through this interview process and that His strength will continue to uphold you as you journey on with your LCFriends and way of life, especially in the face of what you have already endured.

Peace

[mrsdimples]

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I can't imagine what you've been through. You are truly an inspiration to be able to pick yourself and move on to be better for yourself and your children!!!

Good luck!!!

[ardawn]

I am so sorry for what you have been through. It is beyond difficult when a loved one is tortured by mental illness,and suicide is the most tragic result. Please PM me if you would like to *talk*,as I have dealt with similar issues in my family.
Good luck to you and God Bless.Oh,and welcome to the boards!

[stephiebug]

Thanks again, so very much (!) to everyone

ardawn - when I've satisfied my post requirements and have been here, I think it's 25 days? then I will definitely PM you, it would be most welcome to have someone to talk with who has had a similar experience.

[sappl38220]

I can certainly help with prayers, God will do the rest. Have faith.

[JoSkids]

Positive thoughts coming your way!

[michelemomof2]

Good luck, Stephani. I you get the job.

[coffeelover]

Good luck to you Stephani! I'm sending prayers your way.

[NeonJungle]

Stephani, done! Many great thoughts to you; I admire your courage and resolve to make a difference in your health and life for you and your children!

[txjewel]

You will meet and have many friends here. Please come here often for support, wisdom, encouragement and all things positive. I know you have inspired me today with your courage.

A big from the Lone Star State.

[dointhis4me]

and

[stephiebug]

You're all so wonderful!

You know that line in Steel Magnolias where Dolly Parton says "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion"? Well, that's how I'm feeling.

I've wept at your kindness and am now laughing because I feel lifted up, and strong and capable!

I'm 10 days on Induction, today - with no cheats, woo hoo!!

Thank you all, again, so very much!

[cleochatra]

Hi stefani! You've been through so much!

Some good news? Low-carbing helps to bring order and peace to the chaos, calm to the turpitude, and a smile to your lips.

You're in my prayers. Welcome aboard!

[NeonJungle]

You know that line in Steel Magnolias where Dolly Parton says "laughter through tears is my favorite emotion"

I like that one! But my favorite is, "Honey, the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." It's perfect that Dolly said it, given her love for jewelry and snazzy on-stage costumes!

[stephiebug]

Originally Posted by NeonJungle

I like that one! But my favorite is, "Honey, the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." It's perfect that Dolly said it, given her love for jewelry and snazzy on-stage costumes!

Love it!!! I think I'm going to watch it now, that movie fills me with joy

[susie41]

Stephani, I cannot relate to the death of your Mother, but I send my sympathy to you. I can relate to the loss of your job. I lost my job of 7 years this last summer. It is a long involved story but I had worked my but off to help a small business owner be successful. He acquired more and more businesses and I ran them and made them successful. Without any warning he leased them to a management company and I was out. Not because I was not doing a good job, but because he wanted to make some changes in his personlal life and wanted to be free of the businesses. I felt so betrayed. Not only had I lost my income which was very good, I lost my health insurance and also someone I thought was a good friend. I was so depressed for the first time in life I questioned whether or not God loved me. I cried and I ate. I hid in my house because I couldn't stand the thought of seeing any of my former employees. I had gone from a well respected powerful woman to nothing, at least that is how I felt.

All of that happened months ago and somehow I moved on one day at a time. I gained weight because I sought comfort with food. I will get the weigth off and you will too. Stay connected with this board. We will hold each other up one day and one meal at a time.

[stephiebug]

Originally Posted by susie41

Stephani, I cannot relate to the death of your Mother, but I send my sympathy to you. I can relate to the loss of your job. I lost my job of 7 years this last summer. It is a long involved story but I had worked my but off to help a small business owner be successful. He acquired more and more businesses and I ran them and made them successful. Without any warning he leased them to a management company and I was out. Not because I was not doing a good job, but because he wanted to make some changes in his personlal life and wanted to be free of the businesses. I felt so betrayed. Not only had I lost my income which was very good, I lost my health insurance and also someone I thought was a good friend. I was so depressed for the first time in life I questioned whether or not God loved me. I cried and I ate. I hid in my house because I couldn't stand the thought of seeing any of my former employees. I had gone from a well respected powerful woman to nothing, at least that is how I felt.

All of that happened months ago and somehow I moved on one day at a time. I gained weight because I sought comfort with food. I will get the weigth off and you will too. Stay connected with this board. We will hold each other up one day and one meal at a time.

Thank you for sharing your story. Losing a job that you've put your heart into can be as traumatic as losing a loved one, in it's way.

I do truly believe that coming here and staying connected will help keep me going when things get tough

[JRo]

aww sweetie here's a big HUG.

I'm not even a very huggy person but your story really moved me. I can't tell you how impressed I am that after all that you found the strength to pick yourself up and move on.

Good luck with everything. I'm praying for you.

[momof5]

Stephiebug
I am sorry to hear of your losses. My prayers will be with you. There is always great support and advice here. There are some really wise ladies and men posting here.
God Bless
Shelly

[stephiebug]

Dear friends

My interview is in the morning at 9am Central Standard Time!

As I said, I've passed the testing phase and I spoke with my Human Resources contact today, I've also passed all of the background checks.

If I can ace the interview(s) (two different people I'll be interviewing with, oy vey!) then I've got the job.

I'm so nervous, so excited!!

Please keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming, I feel like something huge and wonderful is about to happen for me and my family!!

Thank you so much for everything

Love to you all,
Stephani

[Mada]

for you! Hope all went well.

[stephiebug]

Just wanted to let everyone know, I had my interview this morning - it was grueling!!!

I have the BEST feeling about it!

I interviewed first with a woman, then a man and had to answer bunches of those open-ended "describe a time in your life that used your analytical skills to solve a problem that no one else had been able to solve" type of questions. Ai yi yi!!

Well, the man and I got to talking about our kids because my son is really involved in his high school marching band and so is his son and we had a nice talk and a laugh, when he walked me to the door he said, we'll be in touch, it'll be about a week.

I know from experience (hahahaha) on failed interviews they tend to say something like "well we're going to be doing some more interviewing and we'll keep you in mind, thanks for coming".

Whew.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, it's going to be a nail-biter for sure, waiting for that phone call!

Love to all,
Stephani