Just another Manic Monday. Now that the clock is ticking on my employment, every moment seems to carry extra weight. I mentioned in my last blog that God was attempting to get my attention and, for the record, I just want to acknowledge that I'm listening, Lord.

Last Monday was one of the most awesome days that I've had in many years both professionally and personally. My goal that day was to call ALL of my agents and let them know personally that the company had decided to pull the plug on our program and that we would be bleeding off their business over the next year or so. Given that, my employment as a marketing voice for the company was no longer needed and ergo, effective June 1st, that I would be toast. My secondary goal in making those calls was to network with my customers and see what the market would hold for finding a job. Well, my first goal was not met and only because my secondary goal was such a huge success. I had several of my agents that made calls on my behalf, send e-mails, even one that had a Vice President call me to inquire about my interest in his company. I realized what a tremendous group of professionals I work with and how firm the relationships that I've established really are.

My only concern with the amount of success that I had was in giving God his due. My success in networking and talking to people about job possibilities was all choreographed by God and not at all about me. Those of you who know me, probably know that one of my biggest sins is ego and self worth. One of the hardest things for me in my walk with Christ is moving over to the passenger seat and letting God take the wheel. He has had to break me a couple of times and, like a little kid who keeps burning his hand on the oven door, I'm finally beginning to get it.

My best call and the one that I am holding out hope for, was a cold call that I made to one of my competitors. UCA General is a Managing General Agency that has the pen for a company called Sirius, which is located in New York and has an A+ XV rating with Best's. It is one of the most financially sound insurance companies that you have never heard of. Their CEO is Lin Lan, a Chinese lady that runs her empire with an iron will and a strong hand. I had met Lin about four years ago at a golf tournament. One of my coworkers at Republic Western had left to join UCA and she wanted to introduce me to Lin. I met up with them after the round in the bar and Sharon introduced us. I was the Underwriting Manager of the company at the time and Lin had heard about me. She told me I was paying the agents too much. She invited me to join them for dinner, but I was entertaining some local agents and had to get back. As I was leaving Lin called after me and said, "Ken, if you ever want to go to work for a good company, call me." I smiled and began to walk away when my smartass streak got the best of me and I called back to her, "Lin, do you have an in at the Fireman's Fund or something?" She looked at me strangely and then broke into a smile and said, "Oh, you a funny man."

I didn't remind Lin of our first meeting in my call, but told her that I was calling her as a courtesy and let her know about Republic Western's decision to exit the commercial lines business. We chatted for awhile and she finally asked me the question I was waiting for which was what I planned to do in the future. I told her I was looking and had several leads. She asked if I'd ever consider working for her. I said yes, but that she had a good man in Bill Tolbert. She shocked me by letting me know that Bill had retired the year before and that she had NO ONE in the Sacramento area. She further had a drastic need for marketing help with the Gilroy office and how I felt about marketing. I told her that I had NO problem with marketing, in fact I'd cold called her. She will be in Sacramento next Tuesday and we will meet to discuss the potential of me hiring on to rebuild the Sacramento territory for her and being her designated Marketing Manager for the Gilroy branch. The position would not pay me what I'm making now, but would come with a car and I would continue to work out of the house. I'm very hopeful and anxious to speak with Lin. I just need to remember that God is in control, not me. Pray for me, please.

I have two other interviews set up this week, one with a wholesaler of surplus lines insurance products. They are located in Sacramento and have an excellent reputation. The other is with another wholesaler, who is located in Turlock and would want me to work out of my house.

I did play golf on Saturday at Cherry Island golf course and shot a 42-40=82 and took the skin money and overall bets. I played with Mark Konrad, who shot 86 and Bjorn, who shot 93. Mark and his family then joined us at our house for pizza and the King's game.

I wanted to share a joke that was in the sermon at church this week. An atheist and a Christian were talking and the atheist complained to the Christian, that Christians get national holidays in Easter and Christmas and how unfair that was. The Christian looked at the atheist and suggested that he celebrate April 1st.

That's it for now. Keep me in your daily prayers and God Bless each of you.

Ken