Youth Director - Jackie Armstrong

 After developing the Learning Centers, having an extremely successful summer, and scoring all excellent marks from headquarters on my inspection from Millington Tennessee, I was on a professional high.  I was still taking courses and training on leadership at the local community college and traveling all around the United States to participate in training and conferences on all areas of child development and leadership.  College was never discussed when I was growing up.  My parents didn't go to college and by the time it was time for me to even think about it my mom was sick and my dad was having the affair.  It just wasn't the topic of discussion.  I knew deep down that I was capable of anything I put my mind to.  The people around me believed in me and had all the confidence in the world in me. I worked hard and my work ethic was untouchable.  Doris Jean always told me to have that boldness, that Godly Boldness! 

My immediate supervisor had decided she was going to resign and move to Florida. The big boss came to me and said look, I think you are a bit young and you don't have a degree but I know you are capable of becoming the next Youth Director on this Base. The thing is, it was is a lottery system.  They pick the top candidates and it is a lottery after that.  She said it doesn't hurt to apply.  I prayed about it and with all of my BOLDNESS I decided to apply, why not, right?  What did I have to lose? 

It was in the summer and the summer camp was in full swing.  I think at that point we were at 250 kids. I had someone else running the camp this year because at that point I was responsible for quite a few programs.  I went to the location where the kids were on a field trip just over the bridge from the Base. I wanted to check on them and be sure everything was running smoothly. I was walking to my car and I see the big boss and the Deputy Director drive towards me. The big boss had a smile on her face that I had never seen before.  I started to get nervous. Why are they here?  She said YOU DID IT!! You were selected as the Youth Director/Supervisory Recreation Specialist for the Naval AIr Station.  I was so excited, shocked, thankful, humbled, and scared, all the things!  I got in my car and cried and thanked God, over and over and over. I can't stress this enough... I have been told all my life that I wasn't going to get something, I wasn't qualified.  From a human perspective, they believe it.  I don't operate from that perspective. What God has for me is what HE has for me.  My qualifications are good enough for HIM! Never fall into that trap of listening to people tell you you are not qualified.  

Go for it, ALWAYS! Be BOLD!!