Two posts in a month! Wow! :)

Well, God certainly works in mysterious ways doesn't HE?!?!?!?!

Yesterday I called my Uncle John to wish him a Happy Birthday. He proceeded to tell me how proud he was of me and how he couldn't do what I was doing... being so far from all my loved ones (well, most of them) ... and that he knew everything was going to work out because I am well looked after (his words). My Uncle was at one time a Christian, but hasn't "practiced" in quite some time. So for him to use those words were pretty amazing.

Anyway, I hang up the phone and immediately start crying. I miss home so much. It saddens me that I have already missed 2 weddings and a very important High school Graduation, and will most likely be missing another wedding next month. I've been unemployed for over a month. I'm finally getting my appeal hearing for Unemployment because my employer lied to the Unemployment Office so I had to appeal the decision, and they were super behind (I filed my appeal on June 22, my hearing is July 19th... please PRAY).... anyway, to say the least I was starting to get depressed and feel totally helpless.

It hasn't been the easiest (almost) 2 years out here and I definitely thought it wouldn't take me this long to get a full time teaching job after FINALLY completing my teaching credential. Most first year teachers aren't in their mid 30's (36 on the 29th... cards are accepted lol)... but most first year teachers didn't spend 13 years working their way through their Bachelor Degree, and then have another 15 months for the credential. I was blessed with a 4 year break to work at Lindamood-Bell and gain a wealth of knowledge and skills with Learning Disabilities (people pay $1,000's to learn what I was paid to learn!) I have started doubting that dream and desire that God put in my heart when I was 6 years old and in First Grade and decided I wanted to be a teacher just like Miss Lindsay at Jenks East Elementary in Tulsa, OK!

Anyway, I digress :) Yesterday... continued to be hard as I read friends' and family's encouragement on my facebook page, and last night I spent like an hour praying before I went to bed... more like pleading and questioning what God wanted from me and what HE has planned for me. I KNOW that HIS plan is WAY better than any plan that I could ever imagine, I was just at my breaking point waiting for it. (Hey, He already knows our thoughts, gotta let it out!) I told Him that if He didn't want me teaching, then I would give that to HIM, but I just wanted SOMETHING to go "right" for now. I didn't understand how or where to go from here.

Well, this morning I got up at 7:30 (super early for me this Summer... unemployed = sleeping in!) and got ready to go to a job fair (mostly just to keep putting myself out there... )

(side note: for unemployment you have to apply to 3 jobs a week in order to keep your unemployment, I've had no problem doing that until ALL the school districts in the area were closed last week... so I had to branch out to non-teaching jobs, and this is when I decided that I was just going to start applying for everything, at this point I just need A job!)

okay, so back to this morning, I go to a Job Fair for a bank and it said to come dressed professional and ready to interview. So, I go, and before I leave my car I tell God "if this is where you want me I just pray that you will open the door and help me with what to say"... I haven't been a cashier in years, and the only banking experience I have was at Sesloc in 92-94... that's a long time ago!

So, I went in, filled out the application and took the math test (got 100% of course) and waited my turn to be interviewed.

Well... the interview went so well... that SHE OFFERED ME THE JOB ON THE SPOT!!!

I can't even begin to describe the instant happiness, gratification, relief that I instantly felt. I let her know that she made my day, and my mom's, for offering me this job.

It doesn't pay what I need to make all my bills, but it is a start. AND they know that I am still looking for a full time teaching job and are okay with that! I told them that I would work evenings and weekends if I got a Teaching job (I'll need the extra income for awhile) and if I don't get a teaching job, she told me that they only promote from within, and that if you want to move up quickly you totally can. She went from teller to Area Sales Manager in 4 years. And the best part: they pay my HEALTH INSURANCE!!!! I've never had health insurance, this is so huge for me.

I don't know where God is going with this but I know that it was all HIM and I am so grateful that HE has HIS hands guiding my life. And He's okay when we doubt HIM or forget that HE is in control... HE'S still RIGHT THERE guiding it along with HIS plan.

Okay, I don't even know if you're still reading... but if you're in CA, I miss you. If you are one of my many prayer warriors I THANK YOU with MY WHOLE HEART... here's a PRAISE that we can CELEBRATE!

Love you!