ONE YEAR!

One year ago today (not actually the date, but it was the Friday before Memorial day), was my last day of working for my company. They had decided to close us down and move all operations to the East coast. I didn't know what to do. I had never been out of work before. Now I have been without a job for over a year now.

So the other day I started to reflect back on this past year of unemployment. What I have accomplished, how I have grown, the impact of it all. At first I thought it was cool to be off of work over the summer. I could enjoy my time off and spend the summer with my daughter. We took a family vacation to see my in-laws in California. We went hiking. I coached her softball team. Had all kinds of fun. Then summer gave way to fall, and my daughter went back to school, and my wife was working. I was at home all by myself. I thought what could I do, to get out of the house. I started volunteering at our local hospital! What an awesome position to work. The woman who interviewed me, told me that I would get much more out of this than I could ever imagine. You know what? She is right! This job is so fulfilling!

In the meantime, a friend of mine had been going to ministry school. He mentioned it to me one day, that he thought that I might be interested in going as well. He sent me the link and I checked it out and decided that he was right. I would be interested in going. So I enrolled, recieved my study materials and dove right in. The first class wasn't until January. So I had some time, since it was on November. I had originally did the pick four classes. You take four classes and recieve a Bible certificate. After I finished my fourth class, I knew that I wanted to finish the course and keep going. Is this what GOD has planned for me? Is this why I am still unemployed? If I had a job, I would not be able to attend classes, because the start at 6:00 pm on Friday evenings, and they are a two and half hour drive away!

So I have been sending out resume after resume. I have had about 4 interviews in the year that I have been off. GOD keeps on closing those doors, but He is keeping the ministry door open. Hmmmmmm, doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Unfortunately, this isn't paying the bills. I hate being on unemployment, and I really hate having my wife carry the load of providing for the family. It's a man thing. I have pride, not the sinful kind of pride, but I have pride in taking care of my family. I feel like I am unable to do that, being unemployed. I mean I do the laundry, dishes, mow the yard, snow removal in the winter, vaccum, etc, etc. You get the idea. None of that is putting  money in our bank account. So I have learned to trust in Jesus! He will provide for us, just like he always does! He has something big in store for my family! I just have to wait patiently! Praise GOD for his provision, and everything in my life!

God's provision

For the last month or so, I have been in kind of a down mood. I just lost all of my joy and happiness. I have been laid off since June 1st, 2010 and haven't had any luck finding a job yet. For the first time since I was laid off, I didn't think that we were going to be able to pay our bills. That is a frightning feeling, let me tell you! As a result of this feeling, I was cranky towards everyone. My wife, my daughter, my friends, etc, etc. I didn't even feel like posting on facebook anymore.

Then came the dreaded Friday, payday! I sat at our desk and opened the check book and started paying the bills. I paid bill after bill, and the balance did not go down as much as I thought that it would. Praise GOD! When it was all said and done, we were way ahead of where I thought that we would be! I thought that we wouldn't even make it, and we paid them all! We even had some left over! Praise GOD!! He provided for us, just like He always does! I don't know why I even doubted Him! He kept giving me reminders during the week, to remember to put my trust in Him!

That Friday afternoon after all of this went on, My friend and I had to head out for our ISOM classes. The trip down there was awesome. Our conversation in the car is nothing short of amazing. The class I had over the weekend and the instructor that taught it, really lifted my spirits even more! I came home on Saturday on fire. Ready to get back to being the joyful, happy person that I am. The Sunday morning service at church, put more fuel on my spiritual fire! I am re-ignited for GOD, and I am rejoicing about it!

I praise GOD for it all. He pulled me out of my doldrums, put me back on solid footing and told me not to worry. He has everything in control! Praise GOD for that!

Explaining Sin!

Our daughter came home from school the other day, and told us something interesting. She told us that she explained sin to a fellow male student while they were waiting in a line. Apparently said student said a certain cuss word in front of her. She proceeded to tell him that using that kind of language was a sin. A friend of hers backed her up when she told him this news.

He asked her if she was one of those "whacko's" who go to church. She responded with a resounding YES! She told him as a matter of fact, I am a Jesus Freak!! My wife and I are both like "SWEET". That's our girl. Standing up for her beliefs and morals and not backing down! Awesome! We are so very proud of her. It's nice to know that we are raising her right and although, sometimes it seems she isn't listening, she actually is! Far to many students I know, would have just blown it off and went on their way. But not our daughter. It's awesome that she is standing up for what is right.

I told her to go in the next day and give him this Bible verse;
Ephesians 4:²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

May our daughter continue to be a light at her school. May she always have the boldness to stand up for what is right. A lot of adults could have learned from her boldness. I pray that we adults have that kind of attitude to do what she did.

We love our daughter very much! She is definately a gift from GOD! I thank GOD for her everyday, and I praise Him for her heart to do what is right!