Monday, November 8, 2010

I Won't Ever Forget . . .

Some moments I won't ever forget:

1. The day my braces were taken off, April 22, 2003. I had them for exactly six weeks short of three years. I got them on June 2, 2000. I really don't remember the process or actually being at the Orthodonist's or any of that, but I remember those dates for some reason.

2. The day Shyne came back to the barn. She had been in the lesson program, then got sold, and then she came back to the barn as a sale horse. I saw her in the little paddock and I immediately knew it was Shyne. She hadn't been off the trailer long, and was pacing back and forth and talking up a storm. I don't think I got to ride her that night, but not long after we bought her.

3. The first time I rode in the snow on Faroawn. Riding in the snow is special. Fro picked up his feet, and bounced around the ring in the cold snow. I loved the smell of the chilled air, the beauty of the white fields around me, and Faroawn moving underneath me, carrying me over the snow covered ground.

4. My trip to New Zealand for the Summer of 2007. It was a tough couple months, winter in New Zealand. I got to see places I will probably never see again, and people I won't speak to again till heaven.

5. The trip Sara and I took to Italy in January of 2009. Just the two of us, neither of us speak Italian, and neither of us knew how to understand a train schedule. The trip was amazing, fairytale-like. We traveled from Milan down to Agrigento in Sicily and back, stopping at different cities along the way. We got separated for three hours at night at the train station, a horror.

6. The last night I said goodnight to Daddy before I moved to the apartment in White Marsh with Steph. He told me goodnight, and then added four words I'll never forget, "You're a good daughter." It meant the world. Still does.

7. The afternoon Rachel gave her life to Jesus at camp. I watched her learn and grow and the light go off in her head and her heart through the beginning of the week. On Wednesday, as I met with her one-on-one, she knew she was ready to confess Jesus as her Lord.

Unforgettable moments.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Employed in Lancaster

I have been without a job for thirteen weeks. I guess that's nothing to some people, but it feels like forever to me. Nine of those weeks I've been in Lancaster after a job I thought I had, fell through.

About a month ago I told God that I was getting tired of waiting. Either He could bring me a job, or I was going to start pursuing testing for my Pennsylvania cosmetology license. Cosmetology is not something that I really want to go back to - at least not full-time, but it's something that I'm qualified to do, and can pay bills with. It seemed like the decision was wise. Going into debt didn't sound like a lot of fun. I decided that on November first, if I didn't have work yet, I would apply for the PA cosmetology exam. Then, if I passed, I would stay in PA and work in a salon, and if I didn't, I would assume that God was sending me back home. Instead, I got antsy, and I sent in my application last week. I'm still waiting for my "Admission To Test," but it looks like I'll test at the end of November. I've paid for the test so I can't back out now.

God is faithful, and He always holds up His end of the deal even when I don't keep mine. He called me to the city. He prepared the way for me to move to Lancaster. He gave me a job, and I moved up to Pennsylvania. He allowed my job to be taken away to teach me about myself and about Himself. When I challenged His sovereignty and His call, He showed Himself even though He didn't owe me anything. It's November first. I'm employed. God is good. To me, it's affirmation that He wants me here, and that He's with me. And now I'll suffer the consequences of a lot of studying and a lot of money to take this cosmetology test. (I still may use my license up here, but I ran ahead of God on this one. He redeems it.)

Last Monday, the day I mailed off my cosmetology application, I also applied online for a nanny job. Part-time, but I liked the write-up about the job. I met the family last Thursday, and accepted a job to work for them, watching their daughters. I am so excited. God is good. He provided. The family seems nice, and I felt comfortable with them. Part way through the interview, I was told that they didn't want someone too religous. Uh-oh. I wouldn't call myself a 'religous fanatic', but I love God a whole lot, and it comes out in my life. I stopped them and told them that. I wondered if the next few words out of their mouths would be, "Thanks for your time, but you're not what we're looking for." But it wasn't. What's more, is they later read my blog, and they still like me! [They're probably reading this right now - feels a little weird to be writing about them! ;) ] If they can handle these thoughts from my heart, then we're set. I'm so very excited about working for them. The older daughter rides horses - what more could I ask? I'm amazed at the way God fit us together.

Tomorrow is my first official day at work. I went today to see the house, and find out how to pick up Kaylyn from school, and play with Emily. It was good. I felt comfortable, and I hope they feel comfortable with me. So excited!