The Free Diamond Necklace

     When I attended college, I needed a break from studies, so I accompanied a friend on errands.   We had reached the final store when upon entering we encountered a plaid suited man with a shiny white smile.  "Here is a raffle ticket for a FREE diamond necklace."  With one eyebrow lifted, I gingerly accepted the small red rectangular object. "The necklace DOES have a real certified diamond." he reiterated in response to my skeptic expression.
     The moment I accepted the token of chance, I had a strange feeling I would win the necklace.  I wondered what type of necklace it would be.  It wouldn't be too elaborate, as common sense indicated that a trinket of substantial value would never be given away. I figured the stone would have some type of flaw or crack in it which would warrant no value. 
     My friend had finished his purchase, but stated he was in no hurry, so we stayed for the drawing.  When it was announced, I was surprised of the amount of patrons that occupied the store.  We crowded in a tiny space at the end of the car flap aisle.  There was a table set with black cloth, and five small silver wrapped boxes.  The representative gave a promotional persuasion speech to join some pyramid business that sells jewelry and then stated that all the necklaces they were giving away were 100% certified. 
    I pulled out my red paper, and listened to the announced numbers.  I was the second to win.  It seemed so anti-dramatic when logic would dictate more excitement.  I stepped forward to claim my prize, traded the red paper for a silver box, thanked the representative and then wiggled my way through the crowd of chattering women to reach my friend.
     "Aren't you going to look at it?"  he asked me.  I wanted to wait until we got in the car.  For some reason I felt my reaction in opening the box would not be as expected, so I preferred the audience of one.
     As we drove home, I opened the box, and I noticed the wrapper wasn't as crisp as initially thought.  Inside was a fuzzy jewelry box.  I flipped open the top, and reacted quickly to catch several pieces that fell from the container.  My friend asked, "Well?"  I shrugged a little and inspected the items closer.  Apparently it was an assemble-it-yourself diamond necklace.  The chain itself looked like a necklace my roommate once had.  If bent in the slightest, it would break.  The latch to secure the necklace around the neck was separate, and required needle nose pliers.  Also, it was steel in color, whereas the chain was gold colored.  When I got to the actual diamond piece, it was embedded in the center of a butterfly.  It was very pretty, but as I inspected it closer, I chuckled.  I understood how the claim of a diamond necklace would pass.
     I showed the butterfly to my friend, where he exclaimed, "Wow!  I can't believe it."  I realized that he couldn't see as clearly as I because he was driving.  I nodded my head and stated, "No, that is cross cutting to make the diamond in the middle look bigger."  His pressed brow told me he didn't understand, "just wait til we get back, you will understand".
     At my apartment parking lot, with the hub light on in his car, I tried to point out the actual diamond.  Its circumference was smaller in size than the head of sewing pin.  If it were any smaller, it would have qualified as dust. 
     I never assembled the necklace.  In fact, the only piece I managed to keep was the butterfly with the deceptive diamond.  It is pretty, but of absolutely no monetary value.  However, the lesson it reminds me justifies its permanent residency in my jewelry box.  Sometimes the choices placed before us are presented as grand and beautiful, something that everyone would want, deceiving us with only a portion of truth.  Grand design is meant to lure one in.  But, once faced with the reality of the made choice, we can be sorely disappointed.  The world may make grand promises, but once at the finish line, we will find we ran the wrong race. 
     This is why I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I continually have the opportunity to learn of Christ's words and follow His lessons.  There are no tricks, no gimmicks, no lies.  He delivers.  He gives pure, whole, honest truth.  Through His gospel I find true joy, true happiness, and a more refined sense of love.  His promises are far superior than a silly hyped up diamond dust necklace.

The Resume

Melanie J. Pembleton

15248 Larkspur Lane • Dumfries, Virginia 22025 • 435-830-0996 • Mel.Pemble@gmail.com

Education

Strayer University 

Manassas, Virginia,  June 2011

Master of Public Administration                                                                                           

• Member Alpha Chi Honor Society, D.C. Gamma: 2011 – Current    
• Member American Society for Public Administrators: 2011 - Current
• VP of Communications, Strayer Public Administration Association: 2010 – 2012

Utah State University

Logan, Utah, June 1996

Bachelor of Science, Social Work  

                                                                                                       

Experience

Utah Division of Child and Family Services  

Tooele, Utah, August 2006 – August 2008   

Case Worker for Child Protective Services                                                                                       

• Investigated all allegations of child abuse through evidence collection including individual child, parent, and alleged abuser interviews
• Made critical and legal recommendations to ensure safety of the child and when appropriate, removed and placed child in legally accepted safe dwelling
• Maintained confidentiality, as required by law
• Managed the largest caseload in the team with an average of 17 clients per month
• Mentored and trained three new co-workers on processes, policies, and procedures
• Served as unofficial supervisor when supervisor was absent by providing information and answers as well as making critical recommendations

Utah Division of Child and Family Services 

Tooele, Utah, February 2003 – August 2006

Case Manager for Tooele County Domestic Violence Shelter                                               

•  Guided an average of 64 clients each year in accessing agency services
• Taught clients parenting skills, decision-making skills
• Communicated client regulations, alternative resolutions and best emotive response to staff
•  Updated policy and procedures in compliance with State of Utah shelter parameters
• Obtained maximum available grant from the Tooele County Department of Health Safety
• Reviewed, edited and updated the Domestic Violence Shelter Resident Handbook
•  Initiated organization and automation of office materials. Converted all paper files to data files for electronic record keeping. Updated and digitized 80 worksheets and revised file format
• Acted as Chairperson Tooele County Domestic Violence Coalition from 2004 – 2005

Tooele County Domestic Violence Coalition

Tooele, Utah, June 2004 – July 2005

Volunteer Chair                                                                                                                                   

•  Led a group of 20+ community players concerned about domestic violence in the county
•  Transformed a group of professionals into a working coalition by creating and implementing mission statement, bylaws, and organizational structure
•  Conceptualized and wrote a complete manual of organizational policy and procedures to ensure the 501(c) eligible of the organization

 Jewish Family Services  

Salt Lake City, Utah, October 2001 – February 2003

Service Coordinator at Friendship Manor                                                                                

• Monitored and coordinated services and activities for residents of subsidized housing facility with 115 apartments for seniors and disabled individuals
• Developed, wrote and published weekly Service Coordinator Bulletin for residents
•  Quarterly trained an average of 15 staff members on assertiveness, sexual harassment and HIIPAA
• Developed Annual Health Fair for clients and local community members that provided free medical diagnostics
• Coordinated vendor participation which increased by 60% the second year
• Participated as active member of Utah Gerontological Society, Professionals for Seniors Association and American Association of Service Coordinators.
• Certified with Health Insurance Information Program (HIIPAA)

 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah (BBBSU)  

Salt Lake City, Utah, September 1998 – October 2001

Case Manager 

• Managed caseload of over 500 clients (volunteer and child) to ensure success of relationship while addressing concerns and monitoring for safety
• Presented Developmental Asset Model at BBBSU Regional Conference

 Activities Director

• Planned monthly and quarterly activities for up to 600 people
• Managed  activities committee of 30 volunteers on monthly basis
• Organized numerous successful large scale special events under budget
• Reported remaining under activity budget costs to BBBSU Board quarterly.

 High School Mentoring Manager

• Researched, developed, implemented, and evaluated the community high school mentoring program
•  Implemented change recommendations of high school mentoring program which resulted in participation doubling the second year
•  Developed new policies and procedures using core program standards as a backdrop for high school mentoring
• Reported monthly statistical evaluation and results to county government grant funding official
  

My Sister the Sip Snatcher

I love going about my usual activities, when something will trigger a memory embraced in a moment.   Delightfully, today reminded me of how much I love my lunatic sister. (I only have one, so I will safeguard her identification!).  The memory trigger?  McDonald's.   Normally I crave a blizzard, medium sized, with oreo's.  Today, I wanted something similar, because my stomach and intestines insisted on matching the freezing temperature outside.  For some reason, anything ice cream related tastes best on the cruelest of days.  McDonald's must have updated their poster, because all of a sudden, the strawberry shake out-shined the rest.  It even had a cherry on top, which I don't understand, it seems it should be a strawberry....but I digress.  "Do you want medium or large?"  By reflex I almost stated , "Large", but then I remembered, my sister is in Utah, thus my temporary investment in this succulent treat was protected.  I no longer had to safeguard the amount for my portion.  "I would like a medium".

Yes, what would life be like without sisters to keep us on our toes and stay in our hearts?  I remember the warm autumn day.   I had stopped by my sisters house, to pick something up.    She eyed the shake in hand, and asked if she could have "Just a sip".  With a granted nod, I asked her to hold my precious treat while my occupied arms carried some elusive items to the car.    I reasoned she was the best guardian, as placing anything on the counter top or table indicated given ownership to the whiskered creature.   Little did I consider that the later was the better option.  Upon returning to retrieve my strawberry shake, the sip snatcher looked at me with guilty eyes, "I am so sorry...it just tasted so good, I just kept taking a few sips, until....well...here."   In sip measurement, I had maybe three left.  "I will buy you another one..."  Her guilty eyes were so earnest.   Instead of being upset, I chuckled.  Ah, who can really explain sister-hood unless you live it?