Date: July 12, 2024
As my retirement from Virginia Seminary later this month rapidly approaches, I’ve been reflecting on my career. My first day at VTS was October 31, 1990. This was before many of you reading this were even born! My career since then has involved a lot of hard work, occasionally long hours, some frustration, but—above all—many, many blessings. These blessings mainly consisted of the interactions I had with each of you, as well as with those who are no longer with us but were also part of the VTS community. Each interaction has touched my life in so many ways, almost all of which were for the better.
I want to thank you for sharing a part of your life’s work with me. To every student, staff, faculty and community member–I appreciate each of you and recognize that you are what makes VTS a wonderful institution. You are just as important—no, more important—than the bricks that make up these beautiful buildings which have been such a big part of my life for so many years. Thank you, and God bless you.
Olivine Pilling
Payroll and Benefits Specialist
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Dear Olivine, we love and appreciate you for everything that you have given to Virginia Theological Seminary. I am not sure how many times we will say, “let’s ask Olivine” in the days to come, but you have trained us well so we will make it. You are one of the best humans on the planet and we wish you all the joy your heart can hold. Enjoy your baseball stadium tours across the country with Mark and stop by the finance office anytime, we will leave the light on for you.
As we close out the week, I leave you with an excerpt from one of my favorite poems:
“May I have the courage today To live the life that I would love, To postpone my dream no longer But do at last what I came here for And waste my heart on fear no more.”
― John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
Jacqui Ballou
SVP for Finance, Administration and Operations