Big Changes

After months of planning, gathering documents, and negotiating in meetings behind closed doors, the news is finally out – my company is merging with another company. Because the other company is a publicly traded company, everything had to be done in secret so that no one could accuse either party of insider trading. I knew about it – because part of my job entails gathering the documents, making both digital and physical copies, and sending the information to the parties involved. Keeping a secret of that magnitude is difficult, especially when people asked me questions. Happily, I did not “let the cat out of the bag” but I sure am glad that it is out in the open now.

There will be many changes in our new company. One thing that is going to change is the dress code. For as long as I’ve worked here, the dress code has been casual. Even upper management has worn jeans or shorts (in the summer). We will now be business casual, with jeans on Fridays only. How cool is it that God has already provided me with several pantsuits, skirts, and dresses before I even knew I needed them! I do not mind this change – I have really enjoyed wearing the new-to-me clothes.

Another change is the cost of insurance. Currently, Dave is on my insurance, and we are paying over $700/month. We just received information about the increases with the current system that would have gone into effect June 1. Our premium was increasing $266/month to $974! In addition, all of the copays were going up – some as much as 47%. That means that I was working pretty much just to provide insurance. With the new company, again effective June 1, our insurance premium will be just $240/month, and all of the copays have gone DOWN! Plus, all of my current doctors are on the preferred list, so I do not have to make any changes. God is so good to me.

The changes in my lifestyle seem to be doing the trick. My weight continues to inch downward, so I am definitely on the right track again. I am exploring options for adding some more cardio to my regular exercise, so hopefully that will help as well.

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (I Corinthians 15:51, 52, NIV)

Change is not always a bad thing – even though most of us resist it strongly.