Archive for July, 2009
The Adventure Continues
Prayer is an interesting thing. Or maybe I should say, the way God answers prayer is interesting. Sarah and I really thought we had God figured out this time. I went to the Chicago area for a THIRD interview for a job that we have been praying for for about two months! God has answered prayer miraculously to keep the doors open for this job. We were pointing to God the whole way thinking, this must be it! How could it not be? After all, God answered all our prayers positively and even removed obstacles for me to get to this third interview. Surly, God wants me to have this job.
The third interview went very well. People were excited, I even got the sweet tour. Again, thinking we knew what God was up to, we were convinced we would be packing our stuff and moving to Paletine, Illinois. However, we got the shocking news on Thursday afternoon that they selected another candidate for the position. What!? But, God did all this work! We did all this praying!
After much disapointment, we came back to God. Recognizing that God is still God. His faithfulness remains, His goodness reamains, and His grace reamains. Where is He taking us? What is He is showing us through this? What is He teaching us?
Maybe Sarah has been praying for pacience without me knowing it…
Now, with continued hope in God’s sovereignty the job search continues. Please keep praying that our faith and trust in God will be strengthend, and that He will give us the patience to wait for what He has for us.
P.S. On an encouraging note, the Director of Marketing Services (who I have been interviewing with) wrote me an email letting me know of another graphic design position at a different community college. He will be contacting their marketing department to let them know of my status as a finalist in their interview process.
“But Mom…I’m reading Luke!”
Cool story a mom of one of our Sunday school kids recently told me:
“It was after midnight, and my husband and his friend were still working on a (rather loud) project right by the boys’ bedroom. I finally insisted that they break until morning, so the boys could finally go to sleep! A good while later, the light was still on in the boys’ room. I went up to investigate. There was no sound coming from the bedroom. I opened the door, and Beau looked up at me from under his covers. There was a New Testament in his hands! Now, I’m not one to discourage my boys to read the Bible, but really–it’s after midnight!
‘Beau, what are you doing?’
‘I’m reading Luke, Mom.’
‘That’s great, honey. Why now??’
‘Well, I’m behind.’
‘Behind?’
‘Yeah, my Sunday school teachers challenged us to read through the whole New Testament this summer, and I’m just behind!’
*smile*
‘And Mom? I’m not understanding anything I’m reading!’”
Well, that was because he was reading out of the KJV–difficult for any reader, but especially a 4th grader. Dad’s letting him use his NIV now.
What a cool story. And what a challenge to us! And that story spurred some conversation about pairing high schoolers with our 3rd and 4th graders to challenge each other to reading certains amounts of the Bible within a time frame or memorizing the most Scripture or who knows what else?!
Praise the Lord for His work in Beau’s life and His encouragement (and exhortation!) in ours.
Important News Flash
Well, first before the news flash, we just wanted to share what a great time we had this past weekend. Spent Wednesday in Chicago without a map, directions, or any clear plans whatsoever. We got lost, watched a movie (James’ first 3D one!), ate well, and had an all-around good time! Thursday was spent with family (Erin and I wrote music for one of my songs!); Friday was for hiking, cornhole, and APT (Shakespeare play in an outdoor theater) with Steph and Adam soon-to-be Hartung. Saturday was my (Sarah’s) fav day definitely because we got to play VOLLEYBALL! And softball, cornhole, and frisbee, but most importantly–VOLLEYBALL! Still feeling it. We also had the pleasure of catching up with Pat and Molly Vesperman, most excellent of friends. It’s amazing how Christ can infiltrate a relationship and allow connections to be made that just couldn’t between other people.
Anyways, on to the NEWS FLASH you all have been waiting for…
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JAMES GOT A THIRD INTERVIEW WITH HARPER COLLEGE!!!!!! (Yes, James, I just used 6 exclamation points.) The interivew is for this Monday. After this, we’ll find out if they’ll offer him the position. Praise the Lord for His answering prayer in this way. Will keep you posted!
Now, from the mouth of the man: “Please keep praying. Sarah and I are very excited about this opportunity. However, it is scary at the same time. Sarah’s enthusiasm has been very encouraging (thank God I have her!). Please pray that my faith and trust in God, His timing, and His direction will wither my fear. We continue to praise Him for this open door. My prayer is that I would ‘trust God in the dark’ and that He will ‘go before me and make the crooked places straight’ (A.W. Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy).”
