This morning I woke up and found myself in a flare. A flare is the term used when you are in pain with flu-like symptoms, muscles and joints in tremendous pain...sometimes numbness of face and limbs. If the heat is not too extreme today, I think I'll consider going to the pool for a swim. When I am in a flare, being in the water is helpful and does not cause more pain/inflammation.
Last night I took two Tylenol PM, and prayed myself to sleep. I slept well through the night, so this will help that I had a full night of sleep. Most of the time when in a flare, rest is in order. Swimming seems to help as well. It can be so frustrating at times, but then I am thankful to God that it is not a life threatening syndrome. So many people are facing far worse.
We have about 1 week left before husband graduates from the Chaplain Residency Program. We are down to the wire with no job secured as of today. Of course, this can change within a moment! He does have a few interviews lined up (two were scheduled yesterday, and one we are waiting on for the definite interview time from a call the day before). God amazes me...how we can go from one day or moment of having nothing lined up, to the next day or next two days having 3 interviews. :)
Isn't this how God words so often? I mean, His time table is way different than ours. This is something that husband and I have a challenge with. Mainly, because we have folks asking us if we have anything lined up, (AND the bills will not stop coming in either) We are getting questions that we are not qualified to answer at this moment, because we are waiting on God for the answers. :)
From a world's perspective, we should already have a job secured and plans laid out. From a God-centered perspective it is all about the unknown, faith and trusting in Him completely.
Trusting in God completely means...not worrying about tomorrow. Worry is a huge sin in my life that I desire to be rid of! I know God is able, and that it takes a choice on my part as to if I am going to keep on worrying about these things and frantically trying to fix it, or if I am going to do all I can do, and "stand"...enter in with God's plan. He is ready and willing to take these burdens, and to lead us on the path we should go.
Matthew 6:24-29 (New Living Translation)
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
1 Peter 5:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Does anyone else struggle with truly "letting go" of situations or concerns, and truly giving them over to God to handle?
I'm not saying to sit back and do nothing. We can seek the Lord on it by reading the Bible, praying, searching for the job...applying everywhere possible (believe me, husband has applied to HUNDREDS; ever day he is on the computer, in the newspaper, talking with other folks about leads), making calls, and checking every possible lead. We've lost count after all of these months of searching for a job!!
However from our experience with it...most of our plans are usually fruitless. Often times what we think to be God's plan, is actually not His plan at all.
Most of the jobs or ministry situations we have been a part of, were not part of "our" plans. Heck, they weren't even in places he had ever thought about. They were opportunities that came to us right at the last minute, in places we had never thought about going...places we couldn't even remember applying to...or opportunity brought to us from a totally different avenue.
God is so amazing. He holds the answers, and as I type this I am reminded of how much lack of trust I have in the Lord when I worry over something.
The children are doing well, but a little anxious about where we may be living. They are hoping we stay here, because we are beginning to meet new friends. However, they understand, and are flexible to the fact that we could very well be moving away.
I love this song. It is from the movie, "Fireproof". A great moving!!
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Gosh! Long time, No Blog; Stepping back, Slowing Down
Feel so bad that I haven't been such an avid blogger these days! :) I'm going to try to work on this!!
I've been spending lots of time with my little family here, new friends, building relationships, learning more about photography...and now preparing lesson plans for J and J!
On photography: I have been doing a lot of praying about my long term goals for photography. I so enjoy the creative side to it, as well as the ministry aspect. My main goal was to slowly grow into this, be at a place where I am making a part time income, and also minister through it...with especially the goal to eventually volunteer to serve in the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep program.
There is a lot to learn about building a small business, and I want to be sure I am doing everything the right way before stepping into it with both feet!
People in my life (caring family and friends) from time to time apply a little pressure on me. They say to me, "You are not charging enough...should be charging people what you are worth...and it is a lot more than you are charging!", and so forth.
I do understand where they are coming from, and realize they say these things because they care. However, the way I see it...everything belongs to the Lord. All that I have and all that I am. He is the giver, and when I have given of my time and talents, He has always blessed me over and abundantly!! Sometimes these blessings are in ways that others do not know of or see, but He does bless.
What I have been doing up to this point has been portfolio building. It doesn't matter what the profession, you have to put in your time. Start small and work up!
Lately, I've been pushing this whole thing way too much. It has caused a lot of stress on me and my family to force things too quickly. For now, I am stepping back, and truly giving careful and prayerful consideration to what I am doing. I don't want this to become all/or only about the money, and I can see how easy it is to slip into that push for more and more money making ideas. I don't want to lose the passion of it.
Don't get me wrong, I would like to make money in the process of doing what I love. What I am saying is, I need to constantly re-evaluate and ask myself the question, "What is my focus?...Is it God, the people, and what He desires for this? Or, is it ONLY about the money?" I can see how this can easily get out of focus for me. The enemy is so subtle, and before one knows it, it becomes all about self and the money.
I'd like for my vision to be clear from the Lord, every step of the way.
With that being said, I feel it is so important to be educated in any field of expertise. I may have the natural eye for photography, but I do feel that I need some advanced classes in photography. Also, I should take a course in running small businesses. (Been on the websites of .gov reading a lot on small businesses, talked with my accountant friend, photographer friend, and a friend who works in a law office, and received lots of good information and good advise from them)
I've pretty much self studied on my own for the past couple of yrs using sources such as the internet, and public library. Yet, there are GREAT resources here in our area for attending some advanced classes...there is a Community College, University, as well as a photography studio that offers advanced classes.
As soon as we know if we are staying in this area, and as soon as I have the extra financial means, I'd love to take a few advanced courses on photography. Other's think I am a pro already, but I was to take it slow and I do have a lot to learn still!
Photography is more technical than one thinks...if you don't believe me...for those who have never studied photography or taken photos in manual mode; switch your camera to manual "M" if you have it on your camera, and give it a try to see what you come up with. It isn't as easy as it appears to be. ;)
Also, I need to build my equipment. I do have a great camera (it is a 4 yrs old model, and I'm just praying the shutter life will hold out), but it has limitations. There are a few more accessories that are musts for low lighting situations: Canon 5d (eventually I will need a second camera...it will actually be my first and the one I have now will become my backup), Canon Speedlite flash, diffuser, reflector, and a nice Canon zoom lens with at least f/2.8. The only lens I have currently is a 50mm lens. While it is a nice portrait lens, in a lot of ways it is not very fast for moving objects, nor does it have much room for distance situations or tight close ups. It is a bit limiting in low light situations. I'm fully aware. It is nice for natural light, and very controlled lighting situations.
I've decided to limit my shoots to 1-2 per week, and no more. This is only temporary as I focus on our children, and continue to pray about all of this. I'm hoping we can stay here in this area, so I can take these classes that I've been so wanting to take! Yet, it may not be what God has for me. Therefore I pray, and do what I can do for now.
First things first...husband needs a job!!! He is the head of our household. God knows where and what that job is for him, and He will show us when He is ready for us to know. Meanwhile, he is certainly praying for direction, applying daily, getting out there and interviewing, making calls and visits...has been for several months now. The right one is out there for him, and for our family! Also, our children; their schedule and needs come next. I'm trying to keep myself in balance with God, husband, our children, then others. It is so easy to get off track and out of balance...
I've been spending lots of time with my little family here, new friends, building relationships, learning more about photography...and now preparing lesson plans for J and J!
On photography: I have been doing a lot of praying about my long term goals for photography. I so enjoy the creative side to it, as well as the ministry aspect. My main goal was to slowly grow into this, be at a place where I am making a part time income, and also minister through it...with especially the goal to eventually volunteer to serve in the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep program.
There is a lot to learn about building a small business, and I want to be sure I am doing everything the right way before stepping into it with both feet!
People in my life (caring family and friends) from time to time apply a little pressure on me. They say to me, "You are not charging enough...should be charging people what you are worth...and it is a lot more than you are charging!", and so forth.
I do understand where they are coming from, and realize they say these things because they care. However, the way I see it...everything belongs to the Lord. All that I have and all that I am. He is the giver, and when I have given of my time and talents, He has always blessed me over and abundantly!! Sometimes these blessings are in ways that others do not know of or see, but He does bless.
What I have been doing up to this point has been portfolio building. It doesn't matter what the profession, you have to put in your time. Start small and work up!
Lately, I've been pushing this whole thing way too much. It has caused a lot of stress on me and my family to force things too quickly. For now, I am stepping back, and truly giving careful and prayerful consideration to what I am doing. I don't want this to become all/or only about the money, and I can see how easy it is to slip into that push for more and more money making ideas. I don't want to lose the passion of it.
Don't get me wrong, I would like to make money in the process of doing what I love. What I am saying is, I need to constantly re-evaluate and ask myself the question, "What is my focus?...Is it God, the people, and what He desires for this? Or, is it ONLY about the money?" I can see how this can easily get out of focus for me. The enemy is so subtle, and before one knows it, it becomes all about self and the money.
I'd like for my vision to be clear from the Lord, every step of the way.
With that being said, I feel it is so important to be educated in any field of expertise. I may have the natural eye for photography, but I do feel that I need some advanced classes in photography. Also, I should take a course in running small businesses. (Been on the websites of .gov reading a lot on small businesses, talked with my accountant friend, photographer friend, and a friend who works in a law office, and received lots of good information and good advise from them)
I've pretty much self studied on my own for the past couple of yrs using sources such as the internet, and public library. Yet, there are GREAT resources here in our area for attending some advanced classes...there is a Community College, University, as well as a photography studio that offers advanced classes.
As soon as we know if we are staying in this area, and as soon as I have the extra financial means, I'd love to take a few advanced courses on photography. Other's think I am a pro already, but I was to take it slow and I do have a lot to learn still!
Photography is more technical than one thinks...if you don't believe me...for those who have never studied photography or taken photos in manual mode; switch your camera to manual "M" if you have it on your camera, and give it a try to see what you come up with. It isn't as easy as it appears to be. ;)
Also, I need to build my equipment. I do have a great camera (it is a 4 yrs old model, and I'm just praying the shutter life will hold out), but it has limitations. There are a few more accessories that are musts for low lighting situations: Canon 5d (eventually I will need a second camera...it will actually be my first and the one I have now will become my backup), Canon Speedlite flash, diffuser, reflector, and a nice Canon zoom lens with at least f/2.8. The only lens I have currently is a 50mm lens. While it is a nice portrait lens, in a lot of ways it is not very fast for moving objects, nor does it have much room for distance situations or tight close ups. It is a bit limiting in low light situations. I'm fully aware. It is nice for natural light, and very controlled lighting situations.
I've decided to limit my shoots to 1-2 per week, and no more. This is only temporary as I focus on our children, and continue to pray about all of this. I'm hoping we can stay here in this area, so I can take these classes that I've been so wanting to take! Yet, it may not be what God has for me. Therefore I pray, and do what I can do for now.
First things first...husband needs a job!!! He is the head of our household. God knows where and what that job is for him, and He will show us when He is ready for us to know. Meanwhile, he is certainly praying for direction, applying daily, getting out there and interviewing, making calls and visits...has been for several months now. The right one is out there for him, and for our family! Also, our children; their schedule and needs come next. I'm trying to keep myself in balance with God, husband, our children, then others. It is so easy to get off track and out of balance...
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday Blues
I'm singing the...I want to see a blue sky Monday blues! I realize we can always use the rain, but I'm so ready for beach weather and for blue skies to stay for awhile! Gray skies just make this artistic gal feel so blah!
We live near the coast, and this summer we plan to spend a lot of weekends at the beach. Since we can drive over to the beach for the day, it is a real blessing that we need to enjoy as much as possible! Especially since we do not know how much longer we have in this location.
As I've said before, David finishes up his Chaplain residency in August. He has his resume' out all over the US...like literally hundreds of places!!! Who knows where God will lead us to. We really love being in this city, and love our church. It is so difficult for me to truly plug into a place and then have to uproot. I'm sure military folks are so accustomed to this way of life. However, I am not very used to it at all. God is teaching me to be flexible through these changes.
We'd really like to be able to stay local, if possible. David has an interview this week for a company that is "nearby". If this works out, we would be able to stay in this city. He would have to drive between two different cities (living here would keep us right in the middle). So we shall see how it goes. Whatever God wants for our family is what we desire.
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