Praise God for answered prayers!

Hello friends!


I'm so excited right now. I know I said I was going to tell my testimony (and I am), but I just need to blog this first. What happened today is something I want to make sure I remember. This all has to do with my testimony...it's just that you're hearing the end of the story first. Well, not the END of the story, because it's never ending...but the latest part of the story first.

First of all, my hubby took the day off of work. So, I woke up to a fresh pot of coffee, him getting the kids up and ready for school and then before I headed out the door to work...we had some prayer time together and a nice long talk. What a day...who would've thought it was only going to get better?!?!

For the past year and a half, I have been praying for a full time position at work. My boss and others have been trying to get me there as well. Every few months my boss would ask for me to be moved to full time. Every time the answer was no. There wasn't money in the budget. In fact, there is a hiring freeze right now. So, whenever anyone leaves their job gets absorbed by other staff unless it's an absolute necessity. I get that. With the economy right now, our church is trying to be responsible in their spending. While waiting for the opportunity to go full time, I've had friends and family suggest that I find a different full-time job that would provide us with good benefits. The company Dave works for is a small non-profit and the benefits are really expensive. And March 1 they're going up another 30%! We were already paying $1000 a month for medical benefits and now it would be $1300. Plus we have high deductibles. Well, I just had no desire to go find a different job JUST for the benefits. I really love my job! Sometimes I just can't believe that I get paid to do what I do. I get to go to work with the sole purpose to make an impact on the lives of others and draw them to Christ! Not to mention that I have the greatest boss ever and I love my team. I'm so blessed.

Well, one of my co-workers on my team has decided to quit her job so she can be home with her family. Wow! I mean "wow" because she's being called home. It was really sad and many tears were shed on our team because we love her. Our team has been together for 3 1/2 years and we've been through a lot together. Anyways...when she was praying about her decision she said that the Lord told her that someone else really needed this full time job and benefits. Although this was not her deciding motivation it did help to give her peace about her decision. And I told her that I would rather have her on our team than the benefits! Also, we didn't know if the church would replace her job or not. So that was questionable. But God is so faithful and today, February 4, I got the offer letter for the position of Women's Coordinator. It means a promotion, a raise and full benefits! Praise God! And now my job extends to leadership development of the women in our church. I'm so excited.

Another thing that happened today is that we found a house. Our lease for our current home is up on March 15. We've been looking for a house for a while now and it's been so hard because we want to make sure that our kids don't have to switch schools again. Plus, without knowing what our income is going to be and how much we'll be paying for benefits, it's been really tough to know what to do. Once I start posting my testimony you'll understand why this is a big deal. Much of my testimony is about financial obedience.

Even though we found a house, there were a few details that we needed help with. For one, we need to move into the new house on March 1. Well, we had signed a lease through March 15 and it wouldn't be easy to pay for both places. Of course, God took care of that and the owners of this house have agreed to let us out of our lease early! Praise God! Then we were also given the money needed to put down on the other house - another God thing! :)

Oh and my benefits start on March 1! That means we can cancel the ones through Dave's work and that means no $1300 payment on March 1. How cool is that? God's timing is so perfect. And of course yesterday was bitter sweet. Although it was a great day with tears and all...some were of sadness because it was Wendy's last day. :( My cubicle neighbor packed her boxes and went home. It was just really an emotional day for all of us. I'm so happy for Wendy and that she's free to be with her family. I will miss seeing her beautiful smile every day. Wendy had a great impact on my life years ago. I first met her at our church camp out years ago. When I met her I saw Jesus in her eyes. I could see her love for the Lord and I thought to myself...I want that too! How priviledged I am to have had the chance to work with such an amazing woman of God. We've shared gut wrenching laughter with each other and tears as well over the years. Although this is not good-bye because she is a dear friend of mine and we will still get together with our families, I will still miss her and just talking to her every day. I love you Wendy.

As for me...well...the next few weeks will be interesting. We are not going to hire someone to replace me...so I have my work cut out for me as I will be doing the same work as before plus Wendy's job! Even God has been faithful in that...as He continues to send volunteers to help me! I start working full time on Monday and I have to start packing because we move in 3 weeks. Did I mention that we're moving in 3 weeks! Oh my gosh!

Pray for me! :)

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Does He ever!!! I would say that what I have learned is patience!

Thanks and God bless!
Christine