Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Missing Daddy

Last week, Cory went to Missouri to train for his new job. Cory has never had a job that required him to do out of town training or business trips. So, this was all new for our family. He was gone from Monday until Friday.

So, on Sunday night, Cory was tucking all the kids in bed and telling them goodbye (he had to leave the house at 5:30 a.m. the next morning). Things went fine with the 3 younger ones, then he went to Morgan's room. She started crying and telling him that she didn't want him to go. He stayed with her for a little while and then came up to our room. He said that she broke his heart. As he was talking, we heard our little Sydney girl make her way up the stairs sniffling and crying. By the time she got to the top, she was all out hyper-ventilating. She also did not want her dad to leave. He gave her a big hug, took her back to bed and scratched her back for a while.

As he was scratching Sydney's back, Morgan came out of her room again all red-faced and upset. I asked her what was wrong. She answered the best she could through her tears that she didn't want daddy to go. I told her that he was only going to be gone for a couple of days. She said, "I know and I am acting like a BABY!!" Poor thing. I reassured her that she was NOT acting like a baby and that she was just showing how much she loves her daddy. So, after Cory was finished scratching Sydney's back, he made his way back to Morgan's room to do the same for her.

For some reason, the other 2 kids didn't really struggle emotionally. But, the 2 that did, really did. I thought it was just the sweetest thing and it really assured me of their relationship with their dad. I love to see these girls grow closer and closer to their dad. It is exactly what they should be doing and it makes me smile.

Oh, one more thing... One of the nights that Cory was gone, Morgan was saying her prayers. Somewhere in the middle she said, "God, help the days not to feel so long when daddy is gone." I thought it was the sweetest thing. I told Cory that the days just feel longer when he is gone.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Searching and Waiting is Over

HE GOT A JOB!!!!

I have a feeling that this is going to be a long blog post. So, don't feel obligated to read the whole thing. I just need to be able to record how awesome God's timing is and how he brought this all together.

It has been 14 months of waiting... Waiting for a job... Waiting for God's provision... Waiting. The long waiting ended so abruptly, I haven't really had time to process it all. All I know is that Cory went in for an interview on Tuesday, was called back today and starts on Monday. Amazing!!

He will be working as the Operations Manager for Ripley's Believe It or Not on I-Drive. His hours will be 8-5, M-F. He will get Health benefits. He will leave his work at work. He will NOT be waking at 3 am to go to a part time job earning minimum wage! Praise You, Lord!!

The last couple of months had really started to discourage me and God had to remind me of his faithfulness and he gave me the faith to trust in him no matter how I felt. I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I could feel His arms holding me close. I could hear His voice calling me to trust in Him.

As I look back on this waiting time, I am so thankful for everything God has taught us. I know I will continue to see more and more of His plan in it. But for now, this is what I see:
-He brought 2 lukewarm believers to their knees.
-He strengthened our marriage.
-He strengthened our family.
-He gave me a renewed longing to cherish the time I have with my husband and children.
-He humbled me to be the person receiving charity from others.
-He called me into fellowship with Him daily. I didn't always answer, but I sure heard Him loud and clear!
-He showed me the support system that I have and how blessed I am.
-He changed my identity .
-He gave me a new perspective on life.

When my husband called me today to tell me the news, I laughed and cried at the same time. I never knew I could display such emotion over a job. I am awe-struck and relieved. I feel as though I can breathe again.

It has been such perfect timing as well that I have been going through the Beth Moore study "Stepping Up". Every week and day has been like a walk through my life. It is a pilgrimage up the Psalms of Ascent. Here are some verses that have spoken to my heart on this journey.

Psalm 120:1 - "
In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me."
Psalm 121:2 - "My help comes from the L
ORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 123:3 - "We're watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy. "
Psalm 124:1 - "If
God hadn't been for us..."
Psalm 126:4 - "And now,
God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives."

And He did!! He brought the rain! Today had to be one of the most rainy days in Central Florida this season. He brought the rain figuratively and literally. My dry, drought-stricken life has been rained on today. My soul feels refreshed and I see the buds blooming. Thanks you LORD!! Thank You!!