Looking for Work

It is surprising to re-enter the job-searching world again, and the method has changed (of course) over time. Now, you surf the internet for jobs and thousands are listed. You are supposed to apply for them online by filling out an application and attaching your resume to it. You don't see any people, or talk to anyone either. So, you have to look really, really good on paper. Well, now that's a trick, isn't it? How many different ways can you explain your work experience, without tone or emphasis, but hopefully with personality and integrity? How can you explain that this job for which you are applying really isn't in your field - at all, but boy, I am willing to train and learn how to do it! Is there anyway to say - hey, I will show up; I will work hard; I will learn whatever you want to teach me; and I will give you your money's worth! Oh well. It is so nice to know that the Lord is in charge of all these things, and He will manage my work schedule ever so perfectly. Perhaps, His plan is for me to stay home, which I must say, sounds better than everything else put together!

Job Searching

I found out this past Friday that Faith Academy is closing here in Iowa in December. It made me very sad for so many reasons. I have really enjoyed working here and have built relationships with students along the way. I have watched students that were failing in the public schools graduate. It has been a joy to go work. I am very sad for all the students that won't be finished yet. Faith is offering a mail-order system to some of them, but many of them thrive on the personal contact, and the individual tutoring that they receive.

All to say, I am back in the market for work in a time when jobs are hard to find. It is such a good thing that the Lord knows exactly what we need, and orchestrates all these things. My job is only supplementary, though it has provided in past for our children's schooling. We have other choices we can make, but once again, we desire to make the best choices, and are wondering what that looks like.

I know that Adam and Mary Kathryn are dealing with much more serious income issues than we are, so we are continuing to pray for them daily!

We have seen our Lord provide some of the most difficult and complicated things for our good, and now is another opportunity to trust Him completely!

Long time no post

This morning I have a few minutes to blog. Last night I was working on my ACT prep class here at Faith, and stayed very late, so this morning I am quite tired. I am excited about the class though. We have two students, which is all we needed to make budget! Any students after this are extra $, which is good.

Jathan is now working washing windows, while he continues to try and find a job in the medical field. Washing windows is a good job, and he will have work for at least 8 months with it. He bought a Mustang (red) which he is very happy about too. He has been coming to worship with us in the mornings. He will be watching Aleya this afternoon while I teach my class.

Kesse is visiting Kyrie Jo this week at Grove. I know that they are having a great time there. I am sure that it is a good thing that they are NOT at the same college - but it is fun to experience both places.

The three that are home are just working on school as usual. Lorien's last volleyball game is tonight. Aleya is doing well in school and making some good friends, for which we are very thankful. It is a good class.

The Knerrs came to visit this past weekend, and we had a wonderful time with them and the Dudleys and Luceros. The Knerrs are reformed baptists, and it is always interesting when the topic of baptism arises. Amanda Lucero is ready to send them Riddleberger (sp?) tapes! Yes! We so wish that the Knerrs would move back to Iowa, but will just wait and see what the Lord has for them in PA. They were going to try and stop to see Kesse and Kyrie Jo on the way home.

We've really enjoyed the Luceros. Jody is the pastor of the URC church, and Amanda is his wife. They have three very fun children with lots of sweet personality and interest. Lorien and Aleya are always delighted to have them around. Owen is 7, Ava (sp?) is 5, and Mongi is 3. Their family is young and vibrant, with lots of energy and enthusiasm for serving the Lord. We have very much appreciated Jody's preaching and counsel to our family. It is always encouraging to see how the Lord is working in many different places.

We continue to pray for the Christiansens every day as Adam seeks a call. We were heartbroken to hear that the church he is in is not going to work out. We are looking for churches for him, and praying!

Well, I need to get ready for school.

Praying at the Pole

This morning, Lorien and Aleya went to school early so that they could gather with other Grandview students and pray for the nation together. I was glad that they wanted to get up early and go, but was so encouraged to see 40-50 students gathered around the pole praying together. All ages were there, but most of them were in high school.

School seems to be going well for Lorien and Aleya. It is always very busy, with lots of trips to the east side. I usually make two trips per day, but sometimes end up with three. I would love for Lorien to drive :)!! Then, of course, she would have my car, which I would not love quite so much. Oh well.

Jathan had quite the weekend. His time with Sonya was wonderful, and he got to spend some more time with her family, but his trip home didn't work out very well. I didn't get the whole story, but the result was that he now has a cracked windshield, a flat tire that is taking several days to fix (lug nut problems), and a check engine light on. He was disappointed with all of that, but Lord willing, he will get a couple of interviews this week for jobs, and be able to get his car fixed.

I am working on the basement these days. I have a couple of coats of mud on the walls right now, but need a couple more before I texture. I was trying to think of lots of ways to make the textured top of the wall match the untextured bottom of the wall. My boss has an air compressor, and a sprayer and Lord willing, on Saturday, I will try my hand at texturing. We'll see. My boss is confident that I can do it - rather easily actually. He maintains that the trickiest part is understanding the machine. So, we hope it will go well.

I started a new post last night, but wound up fighting an episode of vertigo. Whew. That stuff will get you! Bravo for updated medication and helpful children! Truly, for me, it is gone within an hour, and life gets back to normal. I am very thankful for that!

Today is my long day at work. Now, I only work Mon, Tues and Wed, but Tues is from 8:30 to 6. I will try to get as much tutoring done as possible.

I am working on developing another class that might bring in a dollar or two, DV.

Well, work has started, and I never finished this update. More later - Lord willing!

Wednesday

Okay Kesse - we have all tried to get back to you on Dad's birthday! It's February 23!

I am trying to type with nine fingers this morning, and finding that it is rather frustrating not to have my index finger on my left hand! I am hitting lots of wrong letters, so this will probably be short. I broke my index finger using a disc grinder on the "railings" on the front of the house. I was trying to get the old paint and rust off, and managed to get my finger caught in the grinder. Yuck. Spiral fracture. I have an orthopedic appt on Fri.

Jathan has submitted several applications for EMT work. He hasn't heard yet.

Oh - my typing is arduous. Maybe more later!!

Friday

Well, Jathan got home last Friday, and this Friday he is moving into his own apartment! This seems to be a great moment in my mind. Writing that sounds like I don't want Jathan home. On the one hand, of course I want him around. He is a joy and as his parents, Tom and I welcome him into our home anytime. But on the other hand, he is grown up now. He is a man. He is supposed to find his way and forge a path of his own.

The joy that Tom and I have today, is the joy in watching our son take responsibility for his life. He has a car, an apartment, and some income while working on getting more. This is all good! We continue to pray for him as he chooses the most important things in life - his church, his wife, and his vocation. But, I am just thankful this morning, for the grace of God in his life, to bring him to this point. What a blessing to have children who know Christ! Then, when they are on their own and making all their own choices, we have the peace of knowing that their hearts belong to the Lord, and He will direct their paths!

Please pray for Kesse this morning, as she had a fall a week and a half ago. She hurt her arm, and while it isn't broken, it seems that she needs physical therapy. I do believe that it is crunching her studies a bit, but as always, the Lord uses such things in our lives. She is having to ask others for help!

Kyrie Jo got a visit from Aunt Debbie this past week, and that was fun! I envy Debbie for having seen Grove. I have yet to make it there. I hope Kyrie's semester is going well. My impression was that this one would be hard!

Kayren is moving right along in her studies, as is Lorien and Aleya. They all are adjusting to new teachers, which is interesting to watch.

Tom is doing fine. He had kind of a yucky day yesterday. He had several nasty meter changes (and Kim - yours was NOT one of them)! One in particular was a basement where the owners had let the cat use the meter location as its litter box (yuck!) and didn't clean it out before Tom came. I truly don't know how he does his job, but he is a trooper! I know that I couldn't do it. He had another meter that he had to change under pressure, so he was drenched and stinky two hours into his shift. He comes home tired and feeling grimy and just needing a shower and some sleep. I know that there are days that he wishes he did something else for a living :) !

Well, I need to get some things organized before work.

I do get to move ALL of Jathan's things out of the basement! Hear that son?