“I’m on my way from misery to happiness today . . .” sings Ted to the Shrek soundtrack of the song by The Proclaimers with the loud drumming sound of the diesel red and black Uhaul as accompaniment. His car is being towed hooked up behind on the trailer of the truck. It is a long trip but Ted is enjoying every moment as he looks with anticipation into his future.
Brandon’s secretary confirmed that the human resources department at Divisional Headquarters has approved for his hiring as the missions specialist. Rose also informed him that the Majors Middleton kindly worked out a place for him to stay at the guest apartment at the Family Services Residence and Shelter until he can find a place of his own. It seems as if God’s hand has been on every detail of this new change in his life.
He pulls up to the front entrance doors of the red and white brick complex. “Doing the Most Good” in corresponding black letters with a large fire engine red shield is pasted on the building to alert everyone passing by of the purpose of the social services facility.
Ted greets the friendly receptionist who recognizes his name for the apartment that has been reserved for him. The woman dressed in a practical sky blue suit in sensible heels introduces herself as “Elaine” and gives him a tour of the facility, showing him the life skill classrooms, computer center, day care, counseling center, and decorated classrooms for Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Elaine explains that the residential mothers participate in weekly parenting classes, budgeting, and they even have a volunteer chef to teach the women how to cook well-balanced healthy meals for their families. Ted is quite impressed with the whole care services provided for the families.
As Ted enters his temporary living quarters, he sees a large bouquet of beautiful spring flowers, ferns and baby’s breath. He opens the attached card that reads “Congratulations! Best Wishes on your Future!” Ted is a bit confused at the wording but thinks the gift is very kind and thoughtful. Ted agrees that he hopes that his future will be very bright and wonderful during his time at Crestwood.
He hasn’t contacted Ellen in the last few weeks feeling that it would be better to start with a fresh relationship in person. He fears that if he were to contact her any earlier than now, there might have been more misunderstanding and miscommunication from others that might sabotage his potential relationship with her before he even has a chance to arrive at Crestwood. It feels so good to him to finally be here.
He considers that the long distance, gossip, and misunderstanding has attributed to the bad decisions in his past. In a normal situation, he would have been irately furious with his brother, Robert, for stealing his fiancé from him, but frankly under the precarious circumstances the unexpected revelation has been a quite an amazing blessing in disguise.
With the accommodating and friendly maintenance crew, Ted has help to unload the plastic green tubs from his truck into the storage warehouse behind the facility. It only takes a couple of hours and Ted offers cokes and snacks for their obliging kindness. He chats with them for quite awhile getting to know them better and in turn they offer advice about things to do in the area to become better acquainted with life in the city.
Later in the evening, he takes a shower and thinks of how to organize his day to meet Ellen again. He wants to surprise her even though he suspects that she already knows he is coming to town.
The next morning he arrives at Crestwood with the help of his GPS. He stops at McDonalds for a quick breakfast and coffee before meeting with Brandon. As he enters the corps community center, the receptionist has momentarily left her desk abandoned. Ted looks at pictures of the different activities of the corps posted on the bulletin boards in the foyer and down the hallways. He sees pictures of Ellen and warm feelings of excitement flood his spirit. He can hardly wait to see her again.
Ted sees a slightly ajar door halfway down the hallway with the light on. He cautiously walks down the hallway after patiently waiting for the receptionist to arrive which doesn’t happen even though he has been there for quite awhile.
He overhears two women talking, “Rose, don’t you think that Captain Brandon is such a good officer? He always has time to listen and seems to be there for everyone when needed.”
Then Rose adds “He’s the best boss I have ever worked for. He encourages input and creativity. He trusts me to do my job but is always there to help if I have any questions or concerns. What do you think Tamber?”
Tamber responds “Yes. I’m so glad that he is here but I’ve heard a rumor that he may be moving in the appointments that come out at the end of the week.”
“Where have you heard he’s going?” curiously asks Rose “I’ve heard of a few places but I’m interested to know what you have heard.”
“They want him to work on a special project at National for some special events that are coming up in a couple of year. I would really hate for him to leave right now. He and Anne Dashing make such a beautiful couple. I’m hopefully wishing that there will be a wedding on the horizon” dazedly states Tamber with excitement in her voice “They fit so well together.”
“Yes they do. They seem so cheerful all the time. I think that they will be very happy together. I hope he gets up enough courage to ask her.”
Ted smiles to himself and glad that even water cooler chatter is now confirming what he hopes and understands to be true.
“Hi! I’m sorry to interrupt your conversation. I’m Ted Ferris and I’m here to see Captain Brandon about my position as mission’s specialist” interjects Ted.
Both women warmly smile and introduce themselves. “Hi! I’m Rose the office manager. I believe we’ve talked several times on the phone” grabbing the elbow of the smartly dressed woman standing next to her “This is Tamber.”
Tamber reaches out to warmly shake his hand “I’m the Case Worker for the corps and handle concerns for community clients such as electricity bills, mortgage payments, rents, food and clothing vouchers, eye-ware, medications, and many other things as needed.”
They both tell him how wonderful it is that they think he is here and will be working with him in the future. Ted genuinely feels welcomed and appreciated.
“Captain Brandon will be back in about an hour. He had a city meeting with United Way about yearly funding. He is doing a presentation on outcome measurements, but he shouldn’t be gone too much longer” explains Rose leaning against the multi-functional copier in the break room.
Ted takes a seat in the coordinated foyer and picks up the “Priority!” magazine of articles from around the country about people, ministries and services. He sees a few people that he recognizes from his travels around the territory.
Brandon spies Ted while looking through the entrance glass doors of the corps building. He is very pleased that Ted has finally arrived. From everything that he has heard about Ted, he feels that they will be good friends and co-workers.
“Hi Ted! It’s so good to have you here with us. We’re looking forward to you joining our team!” enthusiastically states Brandon shaking Ted’s hand.
“I’m glad to be here! I’ve heard many good things about your corps and what a great job you are doing with the various ministries in the community” honestly replies Ted “I hope to be an successful asset to you and to the corps.”
Brandon smiles and pats his on the back, “Let me show you where your office is located.” Ted follows behind him down the hallway. He looks at the engraved plaque on the ivory door “Ted Dashing – Mission’s Specialist” that has been waiting for him. For some reason this unexpectedly touches Ted and he is reminded again of how God is consistently providing for all of his needs.
“Your extension is 157 and a staff directory is by the phone. The corps directory is in the top drawer which includes birthdates and anniversaries of all the soldiers and friends of Crestwood” explains Brandon “There is a lot to still talk about but you will have plenty of time to get acquainted with everyone and learn the structure of everything that happens here.”
“Thanks so much!” gratefully expresses Ted “I’m looking forward to my future at the corps.”
“By the way, do you like Starcups?” asks Brandon.
“Yes. I probably go there at least once a week” replies Ted “I particularly like their seasonal coffees during the holidays”.
“The women’s ministries team has a book club there that meets on Monday nights. I know the Dashings faithfully attend and it might be a good opportunity for you to meet some of the other women who also attend the corps” offers Brandon. “They should be there about six this evening. We could discuss a few more things over dinner and then head over to Starcups for dessert if you are interested in going. How does Olive Meadows sound for dinner?”
“Sounds good to me!” excited about the possibility of seeing Ellen again with some support “I’m always in the mood for pasta and some good coffee.”
“I’ll let you have some time to get to know where things are the rest of today. Enjoy yourself. I’ll meet you back here around four” smiling states Brandon confirming his belief that they will become very good friends “I’ve got to make a phone call to Anne, I’ll talk to you later.”
Walking into his office and shutting the door, Brandon nervously takes a deep breath as he contemplates what will be happening in the next few days.
He picks up the phone and dials her number, “Hi! Anne?”
“Hi Brandon! How are you?” happily asks Anne.
“Good! How are you doing?” returns Brandon.
“It’s all good. Ellen is doing a little better today. We’re cleaning house and doing laundry. Nothing terribly exciting” replies Anne “What are your plans for today?”
“Well, that’s just the thing. I know I ask you out tonight, but I forgot it was book club night and I actually meant to ask if you would go out with me on Saturday night instead” apologetically states Brandon.
“Sure. I thought it was a little strange you asked me out on book club night but I figured that was the only time you were you able to get reservations” replies Anne.
“Actually the reservation was for Saturday night from the beginning, I guess that I was just kind-of excited at the thought of seeing you again” chuckles Brandon.
Anne giggles while blushing on the other side of the phone “I’m looking forward to seeing you again too!”
“Would it be all right if I brought someone new to book club tonight? I think some of you in the book know this person already” cunningly asks Brandon.
“Sure. You know we meet at Starcups at Six. It will be nice to have a new person to add to the discussion” encouragingly replies Anne.
“Yes. I think it will be a good experience too” secretly replies Brandon “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Hope you have a great day! Bye!” answers Anne.
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