School Ups and Downs

It's been awhile since I posted, I have been under the weather for two weeks now.  I think my sickness is coming to an end.  With that said, I am still looking for employment, which is so difficult right now.  However, the lives of my children continue to roll on . . . 

Seth, the oldest, received his certificate yesterday for making Dean's list at college!  He worked so hard and I am so very proud of his accomplishment.  He is already talking about second semester and how he wants to earn a 4.0 . . . he is so driven.  With that said, the said news is he probably won't be coming home for the summer.  He has a wonderful opportunity to stay and perform research on campus for pay.  I am sure his relationship with his long-time girlfriend, Laura will be strained just a bit because of this decision; however, I am hoping that the two will grow together through it.

Tyler, the middle child, received his acceptance into Vo-tech for next year.  We aren't sure yet which discipline he was chosen for, either carpentry or construction, but he is on his way to becoming a success!  He struggles so much in regular school that this opportunity, I am sure, will be his saving grace.  I can't wait to see how he excels at his new trade.

Nathan, the youngest, is not doing as well.  His report came last week and he is failing almost everything.  He can't stand school.  He is very capable of doing the work; however, makes the choice not to, pure laziness.  It is so frustrating watching him fail on purpose.  I have tried so often to get him organized and focused with no success.  Finally, the school is going to do an IST (Instruction Support Teacher) review to see if his teachers will be able to give him extra help.  If Nathan doesn't want it, I am sure he will be staying back and repeating this year.

So many ups and downs . . . I feel like I am on a seesaw sometimes!!

Mom . . . You can have mine!

We must be doing something right!  I was extremely moved this morning when Nathan, my youngest son, said . . . "you know the money I earned, you can have it mom".  For those of you who know Nathan this was very hard for him.  His mentality has always been, me, me, me.  I saw a side of him today that I was so thankful for.  Since I am unemployed we have made several cut backs including not allowing the kids to eat lunch provided by the school.  I figured if I purchased in bulk we could make lunches rather then spending the $1.40 - $2.00 a day it costs there.  Nathan recently did some work and generously offered his paycheck to us for bills and I was seriously stressing since my unemployment will run out in February.

God is good and he provides everything that we need.  I know that my families needs will be met if only I lean on Him.  What a bright spot he gave me this morning through Nathan!

Waiting on Him

As promised and now that the holidays are behind us, let me bring you up to speed.  Prior to Thanksgiving I was notified by my employer that I would be laid off as of December 31st.  WOW!  What a shock!!!  I was convinced that this job was going to be my next career.  I was settled in and doing well.  I truly loved the people I worked with and enjoyed the work we were doing.  It was such a blessing to find a job with other Christians who have the same values as you.  

As I stated in other blogs, I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. While I don't understand right now why I am going through this again, I know that God has a plan for my life and will provide me with an outlet for me.

Since I am the bread winner of the family, this takes a toll on us financially, especially with Seth in college.  I received Seth's bill for his Spring semester right before the holidays.  There was NO way we would be able to generate that much cash; I was stressing.  AMAZINGLY, GOD provided.  Seth went to the financial aide office and told them of our situation.  The school changed his status to a second semester sophomore based on credits he earned while in high school which opened up additional grant money.  In addition, because of the status change, he was eligible for other monies.  These new monies were in excess of what our need was.  Who am I to doubt that God provides for his children?!?!  

I have been looking for new employment since I learned of my separation and I have been deeply depressed because I have had no luck.  Completing application after application.  I have heard nothing back from any of these prospects.  I ask for prayer for our finances as I continue to search for employment, patience for me as I wait to hear from prospective employers and I ask that the Lord would open my eyes up to the opportunity He wishes me to follow.

My journey continues and I stumble along the way but the Lord is consistent when I am not and always loving.