My Stud Muffin

It's been a couple days since I have posted because we've had some activity going on! We had a big ice storm come through this week. I got to leave early from work on Tuesday and then got to go in late and leave early on Wednesday!! The bad part of leaving early on Wednesday was that the power at our house went out Wednesday morning. There are so many people across the state without power that they told us it could be up to two weeks before our power came back on!!! Seriously!!! Luckily all of our friends offered to open their homes to us! We spent the night with Billie and Derek (and Bear and Apollo too!) although Dakota wasn't too fond of the big dogs. I think they remind him that he truly is a small dog! ha! Anyway, Thursday morning Jonathan and Dakota came to work with me and sat in my break room to stay warm. I was starting to get depressed. I mean what else could go wrong in life?? I started thinking about all of the money wasted when our food in our refrigerator goes bad. We didn't have anywhere to get wifi for Jonathan's job search. I called my mom (isn't that what we all do when we're sad?) and she of course was trying to figure ways out to get Dakota to her house. Maybe that would take some stress off.

Let me take you back two weeks: Our pastor has been teaching on Song of Solomon and relationships. He challenged all of the men to take their wives out on a date that week and for the wives to email him to tell him what their husbands did for them. He set up an email address that was called My Stud Muffin! Well, Jonathan took the challenge and he was creative! We went to see a movie using a gift card that we had been given a year ago. Then he drew me a bubble bath with rose petals. he gave me a vase with two roses and a lily because I'm his lily among the roses. And he had Dove chocolate because I'm his dove. These are two names that Solomon used to call his lover:) Cute huh? Well of course I emailed the my stud muffin email address to tell them about our date!

Back to yesterday: I'm depressed and I look down to my phone and I have an email alert. (Luckily I have my email forwarded to my phone because I wouldn't have gotten it since we had no power or Internet!) I see an email from our pastor! What??!! I started reading and it said that he had chosen Jonathan as the WINNER of the Stud Muffin Contest! What???? I started crying! I mean, God knows how to pick you up right when you need it! Wow! I was overwhelmed! (I had an angry customer wanting fees back waiting in the lobby for me and I had to call into my manager and ask him to help the customer since I had tears in my eyes!) I could barely contain the surprise I was so excited. After a couple emails and phone calls we had everything ready for a 4:30 surprise today! And was he surprised! Our pastor and two camera men showed up at our front door "Publishers Clearing House Style" with an enormous check and a huge bouquet of balloons! When our pastor put the microphone in Jonathan's face and asked him what was so special about this date, Jonathan couldn't even remember what we did on our date because he blanked! How cute! They gave us a gift card to Malone's, a night at a hotel, and a limo ride!!! Isn't that awesome?? Isn't that a God thing? He will not give us more than what we can bear! Here's a picture of Jonathan and his check!

And as you can see in the picture, our power is back on. It came back on yesterday afternoon! We are thankful, since there are still thousands of people without power!

Even though this isn't a ray of light in the job front, it is a ray of light in life. God is with us and he will protect us. We are praying that a job offer will come before the savings is gone. We have to continue to trust Him. He knows when to lift us up! Just look at that adorable face! His spirits have been lifted and so have mine! Thanks for your continued prayers.

Out of words...

Another day, still no calls. Not even a call back from the (yucky) company that Jonathan accepted the position with yesterday. Maybe this is God telling us that he's not supposed to work for that company. We don't know. But, if we're supposed to keep waiting and trusting Him, how are our bills going to get paid? I don't have the answers and minute to minute I keep reminding myself that God knows the Big Picture! Reading the comments from my post yesterday brought tears to my eyes. I really appreciate the kind words and the prayers! Its amazing to know that we are in so many peoples hearts, minds, and prayers. We appreciate each one of you. I am trying to work on having joy during these times. Not happiness because that would just be fake, but real joy. Tell you what...leaving work early today for an ice storm helped with the joy! ha:)

I said that I would post a picture of the new little girls' purse that Billie and I finished on Sunday.

I just love the new spring fabrics! I think young girls and even older girls will love it too! I enjoy having a hobby that I can do with Billie in my spare time. Its great to get my mind off of life. Who knows...maybe one day Billie and I can support our families with our purses! Aahhh...the dreams!

Where is that light at the end of the tunnel?

Well, I was really hoping to post something exciting today! I was going to talk about going out with the girls last night to see Bride Wars and I was going to post a picture of the new girls' purse Billie and I made yesterday (I might feel up to that tomorrow). I really thought this would be a celebration day, but our plans are not Gods. Jonathan got a call today to let him know that he did not get the position that he wanted and interviewed (4 times!) for. He was told that an internal applicant was chosen for the position. I know that we should not have been so set on him getting this job, but we were excited anyway. We really have been asking God for guidance and with the many prayer warriors keeping us in their prayers, we really thought this job was going to be God's will. We are now back at square 0. The only other company (in over 2 months) that has called him back for an interview is a company that neither of us are comfortable with with. He feels like he needs to accept this offer because it's the only thing out there and we have bills to pay. This company will pay much less that what he was making in his previous job (although it is better than nothing). But he will be working 50 to 60 hours a week and on the weekends so we will barely even see each other! He will also be working so many hours that he doesn't know how he will continue the job hunt by doing interviews if other companies call him. I feel like we're in a dark tunnel and we can't find the way out. I know that we need to trust in Jesus in these dark times, but it's hard to not understand God's ways. I am thankful for family and friends surrounding us with their kind words and prayers. During this Bible Study I'm in I have reread the book of Philippians each day for two weeks (although I have skipped some days). Philippians really has some uplifting scripture that I am clinging to during these times.

Phil 2:14 says "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."
Phil 4:4-9 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

These verses have really helped me to keep my focus on God and He really has given us peace for the past two months. We just need to not get discouraged with this bump in the road, but to yet again to remain in Him and he will remain in us. He is our only true peace or joy in times of rejoicing or trials.

OK God, I think we've learned our lesson on trust and peace...so...can we at least see a ray of light at the end of our tunnel?? Even if it's just a peek?? :)

Friends

Jonathan and I are so thankful for the friends we have in our lives. Last night our friends Tim and Lindsy invited us over for dinner and games. It is so refreshing to spend an evening with friends, margaritas and board games! God has really blessed us. Jonathan was laid off of his job in November and we have had a lot of learning experiences through it. God has really taught us to trust in Him. He knows the big picture and has a plan for us. Through this, we have really been able to focus on God's grace and peace. We've also grown closer as a couple. After hours of tears, prayers, and applications, Jonathan got an interview for a job that is his dream job! God is good! He had 3 interviews and then was called back to give a 30 minute presentation to some managers in the company! His presentation was on Thursday and he was told that they would make a decision Friday. He got an email on Friday that they would not be making their decision until Monday. So here we are...waiting through the weekend. It was so sweet for Tim and Lindsy to invite us over last night so that we would get our minds off of the decision.

BTW Lindsy works at a vet clinic and one of the puppies that they rescued was at their house last night. I have to post a picture of this little guy. I mean seriously! I wanted to put him in my purse and bring him home! His name is speck! He even had Jonathan wrapped around his tiny paw! Don't you think Dakota would like a little brother?? I volunteered to babysit him next weekend! :)


OK back to reality:)

We have been so blessed with so many people praying for us and for Jonathan's interview. I wish I could thank each and every person who has kept our family in their prayers! It just brings a feeling of awe to think that there are so many prayers on our behalf! My girlfriends and I have recently joined a womens Bible study at church, which happens to be the same time as a mens Bible study that Jonathan and all of the husbands are going to. I am so thankful to have girlfriends that I can learn and grow in the Word with.

It's nice to have a girlfriend like Billie who keeps me accountable in exercising too! She shows up at the house 3 nights a week so I don't have a choice of whether I feel like getting my butt kicked by the Biggest Loser workout (which is really depressing)! I just have to do it because she drove all the way here! Goodness knows that since it has been cold that I need someone to force me to either bundle up for a cold run or to do a video! I love her...until we try a new video and I'm sore for 3 days! ha!

It's good to have some outlets to get beyond our troubles to see the bigger picture of life...or at least the biggest picture that God will allow us to see!

Alright, time for some sewing with Billie! We've got a business to keep up with!

New to this world...

Well, I have just recently been introduced to the world of blogging. I know...I'm late. Maybe I'm getting old! ha. I have really been touched by reading some blogs and I thought that maybe I should start journaling my life also. Not that I have any secrets to life that anyone else would like to know, but just because reading how open and honest people are can just touch someone else. God has been teaching my husband and myself a lot of lessons lately and talking about those lessons may help someone else who is going through a dark patch. I hope to be real and through that, help others with in the weeks and months to come. Please have patience with me since I am still learning how to do all of this!