As many of you know I’m employeed by the WV Department of Transportation, Division of Highways. For all intents and purposes, it’s a fairly politically motivated place to work. Requesting a year long leave of absence for a mission trip was not going to be easy.
In February, as soon as I was accepted as a particiapant for the world race, I spoke with our District Manager regarding a leave of absence. Mr. Chapman informed me that several years ago he had personally requested a leave of absence to study abroad and was denied. However, it turned out that Mr. Chapman knew the Commissioner of Highways on a personal level, and the Commissioner was able to approve his leave and make it happen.
I’m not really a political person and I have no political contacts, but I knew if I was going to take this trip, I’d have to find someone that could approve my leave without question.
The Deputy Commissioner holds an office in the same building where I work in
Huntington
,
WV
.
I decided to make an appointment to talk with him. He is not known to be an easy person to talk to and is all business. I called his secretary, but he was in
Washington
DC
and wouldn’t be back for a week. I was nervious and I kept praying, asking God to make a way for this to happen if indeed it is His will.
The following Wenesday I got a call that Mr. Turman was in, and if I still wanted to speak with him, I could come on down to his office.
My heart started racing, and I began to pray,
“Lord, give me the right words to say. Prepare the way.”
That walk down the hall didn’t seem to take as long as it normally does. I arrived at his office, and he motioned me in, but he kept typing on the keyboard, obviously very busy. “Have a seat. Lisa mentioned you wanted to talk to me about something personal,” he said.
“Yes, I have an opportunity to take a mission trip to 11 countries in 11 months,” I replied.
He didn’t ever stop typing or even make eye contact with me. The whole time I’m thinking he is going to blow me off and that’s the end of that.
He nods at me, as I continue to explain the cost and what we will be doing. Then he turns, picks up the phone and begins to dial, still having not uttered a word, barely acknowledging me speaking.
“This is Paul Turman. I have a young lady in my office requesting a year’s leave of absence, and I’m approving it.”
I stopped dead in amazement. That was so easy! Just like that it was done!
Even more amazing, his secretary prepared the paperwork and Mr. Turman hand-carried it to the personnel department in
Charleston
himself, that afternoon.
Looks like I’m going on a trip.
Is there anything our God can’t do? No, nothing
!
