Well, I have not been successful in keeping up this blog but I would like to try to do better from now on.
July 22 marked one year since my husband lost his job and I can tell you that God has proven himself faithful. All the blessings are too many to tell, but the ones that stick out the most to me are:
-We always had food in our cabinets!
-Our fridge went out and we were so blessed by someone to get a brand new fridge! (WE LOVE IT!)
-We never had major car trouble!
-Every time the kids needed to go to the Doctor's office, we had enough money!! All of Joseph's asthma meds that he needed were supplied (via samples) or we had just enough to cover them. (They normally cost us about $180-$350 a month if we had to pay out of our pocket).
-Matthew and I never had to go to the doctor for anything major!
-Both sets of parents, our family, and friends sent encouraging notes or money that totally blessed us!
-Friends gave our kids little gifts of love as well!
-We still own our house!
-We are still married!!
-We made it through the worst tax audit with the help of a retired IRS agent that happened to be a friend of a family member!!
Isn't that amazing?!?! I always thought that God gave miracles to Missionary families or Preacher families only. Truth be told, Matthew and I both just scratch our heads and wonder why God chose to be so good to us. Heck if I know, but I believe that He proved Himself real in our lives.
Now Matthew has three jobs! Can you believe that God answered yours and my prayers 3 fold?!? :) His main job is that he will be a principal at the Christian school through our church. When he lost his job last year, he threw himself into volunteering at the school in order to keep his spirits up. (P/s- What an excellent example he is to me!!! He worked hard to keep on "top-side!") He found a passion in teaching and is excited to work in that field.
The school is small right now so Matthew is working a late night job as a shipper at the bread company he used to work for. It gives him the opportunity to get health insurance, to provide the main part of our finances, and since he works alone he is able to listen to preaching and singing podcasts while he works. It is also a physical job so he has the opportunity to get a good workout in. ;) And he is working a third job as part-time income. As far as his work at the church, Matthew is an Adult Sunday School teacher, a Patch the Pirate Club leader, a choir member and an alter worker, plus he will finish his MBA in the Spring. He really is a man on the move.
Madeline and Joseph will both be in school this year. I can not believe that my babies are growing up so quick. I love them so much and they bring me a lot of joy!! Madeline will start kindergarten and Joseph will go to preschool two days a week. I will have one day, for three hours, to myself and I am so excited! Because most of our family lives away, it is hard to get too many free moments to myself. As funny as it sounds, I am looking forward to cleaning house during those three hours. We will see. Madeline will also be in ballet class and girls club at our church this fall. She is so excited to have the opportunity of both activities.
As for me, my life will revolve mostly around my family and church. There is no other place I would rather be! I will be a volleyball coach, continue teaching my sweet girls in Sunday School, be a nursery worker, an alter worker, sing in the Ladies Ensemble, sing duets, help in Patch the Pirate club, and help Matthew one morning a week with any office work that needs completed for the school. I will also be working to get my Bachelor's degree online at Midway College.
Right now our life is going to be busy, but while we have health and life, giving to the Lord and to others is really full-filling. God took care of us in our great time of need, surely living for Him is the least we can do.
