So this has been a crazy month full of question and yes, even some doubt. I left South Dakota full of hope and faith, knowing that God was going to lead us, hopefully to Sonora. When we got here, while it was great to be in Sonora, the doors weren't opening as I had thought they would. I was expecting immediate things to work out perfectly. And when they didn't, I hate to say, I was questioning and doubting God.
I started looking into other possibilities out in Kentucky/Tennessee where we have great friends and the land is cheap and I had promising leads on a job. I was very interested, but Rob was not. He stayed strong with Sonora.
I have been in contact with the hospital in Sonora. But having not been working the last 3 1/2 years, they are taking their time deciding if and where they would put me.
So I checked into another option in Sonora, which I have to say, was not my first, or even second choice. But as soon as I called, the nursing director was basically saying I could have a job. It is at a nursing home. What I know of nursing homes, I didn't really want to work there. Ever. But I started thinking about it and opening up to it.
After many prayers for either an obvious open or closed door I headed back up to Sonora to meet with her. I had been told that orientation would start the 17th of November, which is a ways away if you have no income. But it's closer than never! And that she couldn't hire me full time. Hopefully eventually, but not now.
I had 3 requests for God: a job, a house, and a phone. The job is obvious, I need one to move here. The house we need to make a home. The phone because our cell doesn't work in Sonora.
When I went to talk with the director (yesterday), she showed me around the facility and it is getting a beautiful makeover and they have built on a 95 bed wing that is amazing.
She then told me what the nurses do and how many patients they have during their shift (a staggering 20-29 patients!!!). She asked me if I was still interested and surprisingly, I was!
Then she asked how much I'd be willing to work and I can work as much as I want! She then informed me that they are wanting to start the next orientation on the 1st, could I do that? I said, "Oh yeah! That's great!" Then I realized that the 1st is a week away! Amazing!
So, I am thinking that this was an open door that God is guiding me through. Though it's not my first choice for a job, it is what He has planned for me and I am okay with that. Now my prayer is that God will take away my negative thoughts and feelings about nursing homes and give me a genuine care and love for the patients I will care for.
The second request was for a house. I went right after my meeting to a Property Management place. We have been checking out their website and had driven by several places on a previous trip here and had an idea of what we want. I asked about the house we really liked and it sounds like it is still available. We are working on getting a viewing of it and some others, but I know God has a place for us. It is just a whirlwind right now!
The thrid, a phone. I have been wanting to get an iPhone for years. Rob finally agreed to it and we were going to get the 4S, the latest. But, everywhere is out of them. And out of the 4. I thought the 3G's were all gone too, because they are free. When I went to the at&t store in Sonora, they too were out of the 4S and 4. But they had the 3G! So I got a free phone! I was kinda glad I saved $200+ and I am happy with the phone.
So all in all, God answered 2 out of 3 requests and I am sure we will see an answer to the housing request within the week. After all, I start work next week!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A New Adventure Begins!
Time has flown by!!! Rob finished his internship on Monday, we packed up on Tuesday and left at 3:30 this morning. We are now in Salt Lake City. Tomorrow we are going to take a tour of Black Diamond Equipment factory. It's a rock climbing equipment company. Rob is very excited about that!
As for what we are going to do... We don't know! That is the adventure!
We are headed to Sonora, CA hoping to settle there. We have some possibilities that we hopefully will find answers to this next week. Please pray for us!
Just so you know. Wyoming and Utah are absolutely breathtaking this time of year! It seems that the grass changes color and the hills are like rainbows! Beautiful!
After 12 hours in a heavy car fighting strong headwinds with two grumpy kids who don't want to sleep, that is all I can think to write... I am ready for bed and it's 6:45! Thankfully we are hanging around here all day tomorrow.
Have a great night! I think I'll be sleeping well!
As for what we are going to do... We don't know! That is the adventure!
We are headed to Sonora, CA hoping to settle there. We have some possibilities that we hopefully will find answers to this next week. Please pray for us!
Just so you know. Wyoming and Utah are absolutely breathtaking this time of year! It seems that the grass changes color and the hills are like rainbows! Beautiful!
After 12 hours in a heavy car fighting strong headwinds with two grumpy kids who don't want to sleep, that is all I can think to write... I am ready for bed and it's 6:45! Thankfully we are hanging around here all day tomorrow.
Have a great night! I think I'll be sleeping well!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
I am writing this on my little iPod touch so bear with me if thre are mistakes. There will probably be many! I am doing this because the wireless on my computer is not working and I am procrastinating callng the cmpany, even though I have full coverage on it. I hate calling and I hate asking for things. I guess I need to get over that.
Anyways... Where do I start? So many changes have happened in the last few days my mind is still recuperating from it. The kids and I were supposed to take Amtrak from Denver yesterday back home to California. All in time to get to the wedding of the century, my cousin Joy and her love, Brian. We were all set to go. I was packed, we had changed several things around here to make it a little easier on Rob. We were going to leave Tuesday to head down to Denver and pick up Sammi who was going to fly into denver and ride back with us.
Anyways, I got a call from Amtrak Monday afternoon saying the train was cancelled. Rob called them (i hate calling!) and we rescheduled for Thursday iNstad. But, Sammi couldn't do that so I would be riding the train by mself with my 2 monkeys for 37 hours. My mom was going to meet us n Sacramento to ride with us to Hanford where she lves. But she couldn't do it Friday either. SO the whole, long trip would be me and the kids. :/
Amtrak wasn't sure if the Thursday train would be running either until Wednesday. I thought about changing my route to riverside, but that would put us on a bus for 5 hours to new Mexico. Rob did not want us doing that. The bus can be kinda shady...
So amid confusion and tears, we decided that if the Thursday train was cancelled we would just stay here until Rob is done. The train was cancelled, they let us know on Tuesday. So, we are Here until Rob is done. We are together and I think hat will make thngs much easier on us. Although I am very diasappointed I don't get to go to the wedding and see all my family. Or spend a week with my sister and new nephew and niece and Val.
But, I think God has a plan. He knows what is best for everyone involved. Who knows? Maybe He saved our lives!
We have a little readjusting to do around here since we had made some changes, but I think it will all work out. Thank you all for your prayers and I would appreciate continued prayers.
Rob is just happy he got his way! He didn't want us to go so soon. And to be apart for 6 weeks would have been rough on all involved!
Anyways... Where do I start? So many changes have happened in the last few days my mind is still recuperating from it. The kids and I were supposed to take Amtrak from Denver yesterday back home to California. All in time to get to the wedding of the century, my cousin Joy and her love, Brian. We were all set to go. I was packed, we had changed several things around here to make it a little easier on Rob. We were going to leave Tuesday to head down to Denver and pick up Sammi who was going to fly into denver and ride back with us.
Anyways, I got a call from Amtrak Monday afternoon saying the train was cancelled. Rob called them (i hate calling!) and we rescheduled for Thursday iNstad. But, Sammi couldn't do that so I would be riding the train by mself with my 2 monkeys for 37 hours. My mom was going to meet us n Sacramento to ride with us to Hanford where she lves. But she couldn't do it Friday either. SO the whole, long trip would be me and the kids. :/
Amtrak wasn't sure if the Thursday train would be running either until Wednesday. I thought about changing my route to riverside, but that would put us on a bus for 5 hours to new Mexico. Rob did not want us doing that. The bus can be kinda shady...
So amid confusion and tears, we decided that if the Thursday train was cancelled we would just stay here until Rob is done. The train was cancelled, they let us know on Tuesday. So, we are Here until Rob is done. We are together and I think hat will make thngs much easier on us. Although I am very diasappointed I don't get to go to the wedding and see all my family. Or spend a week with my sister and new nephew and niece and Val.
But, I think God has a plan. He knows what is best for everyone involved. Who knows? Maybe He saved our lives!
We have a little readjusting to do around here since we had made some changes, but I think it will all work out. Thank you all for your prayers and I would appreciate continued prayers.
Rob is just happy he got his way! He didn't want us to go so soon. And to be apart for 6 weeks would have been rough on all involved!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
God's Funny Sense of Humor, part 2
So. We have been praying. We had been very excited about the North Carolina opportunity. I prayed specifically that God would take my desire away if we shouldn't go there, if He had something else in mind. I can honestly say, any excitement I had is gone, I do not want to go. It can be debatable if it is God, I know. But I think He gives us options, and what we pick, He will bless.
This was about a month ago. I no longer wanted to go there, but didn't know where we would be going. My mind was taken back to the place I had decided before this other came up. Would you like to know where that is???
This was about a month ago. I no longer wanted to go there, but didn't know where we would be going. My mind was taken back to the place I had decided before this other came up. Would you like to know where that is???
Beautiful Sonora, CA!!! I can't tell you all the wonderful Sonora has for us. Here are some reasons: it is close to Yosemite, it has an Adventist hospital, which I am hoping to get a job at, we have friends there, the church... Although a good chunk of our friends just left there when ARISE moved up to Oregon, there are still very dear people there who I am really looking forward to building my friendships with, and many more people and families to meet!
There are opportunities for both Rob and I to be involved in ministries, and we are very excited to be back in California and close to family again!
And I am coming back to CA in only 4 short weeks! The kids and I are riding the train from Denver, CO to Hanford, CA where my mom lives. We are coming so early because my cousin Joy is getting married on the 3rd and I don't want to miss it! Then we will be visiting with family and heading up to Sonora to scope out some possibilities. Rob will join us sometime... October probably. Although fall seems to be coming a little early. (I may just be being hopeful with that assumption, although I have heard locals say it.)
God may still have other ideas for us. But as for now, this is the direction we are taking. We would appreciate your prayers. We still need to figure out jobs, housing, etc., but I cannot wait to get settled and serve God in the area He leads me to!
PS- I am blessed to have my dear friend Sammi Ridley riding the train back with me. She is flying to Denver to meet us and will ride with us to Sacramento and head on back to Santa Cruz while we head on to Hanford. My mom may be riding the train up to Sacramento to ride with us 4 hours back to Hanford! Imagine 37 hours on a train with a 3 and 5 year olds! Praise God for friends and family!
God's Funny Sense of Humor, part 1
It's been almost a month since I've written anything.
To be honest, I have been in a... funk. I feel so... I don't know. It's been so hot I can't even stand to be outside (remember, I'm from Central California Coast where 72 degrees can be hot!). So I've spent my days tucked away in our apartment with the windows and blinds closed to keep out the heat, with the fans blowing on high to act as our pathetic AC. Yeah, no AC.
I have also been feeling discouraged about what we are going to do. I am enjoying it. The people are great, the food is wonderful, not having to cook is a dream! But, I miss home. This feels very temporary and I am really feeling it. I want a home. Near family.
God must have really taken sympathy on me because we have had several options come up as to what we could do after this. :)
After I had decided to settle down and even thought of where that would be, a wonderful opportunity opened up in North Carolina. Free rent on 19 acres to do what we would like on it. 2 houses, a tractor with all the attachments for Rob, 2-3 acres garden area... Whoa! We looked into, the lady wants us to come. I am leaving a lot out, but you get it. Some negatives of it: an hour to anywhere, no electricity (it does have solar), what about income, and it's a long way from California. But we decided we would plan on that. I was very excited, our families were somewhat excited for us (I think they were pretending!).
After that, I got a call from some wonderful people in the British Virgin Islands to see if I would like to come there to help with a health food store/restaurant/lifestyle center. Did someone say ISLAND???
To be honest, I have been in a... funk. I feel so... I don't know. It's been so hot I can't even stand to be outside (remember, I'm from Central California Coast where 72 degrees can be hot!). So I've spent my days tucked away in our apartment with the windows and blinds closed to keep out the heat, with the fans blowing on high to act as our pathetic AC. Yeah, no AC.
Hee hee!
I have also been feeling discouraged about what we are going to do. I am enjoying it. The people are great, the food is wonderful, not having to cook is a dream! But, I miss home. This feels very temporary and I am really feeling it. I want a home. Near family.
God must have really taken sympathy on me because we have had several options come up as to what we could do after this. :)
After I had decided to settle down and even thought of where that would be, a wonderful opportunity opened up in North Carolina. Free rent on 19 acres to do what we would like on it. 2 houses, a tractor with all the attachments for Rob, 2-3 acres garden area... Whoa! We looked into, the lady wants us to come. I am leaving a lot out, but you get it. Some negatives of it: an hour to anywhere, no electricity (it does have solar), what about income, and it's a long way from California. But we decided we would plan on that. I was very excited, our families were somewhat excited for us (I think they were pretending!).
After that, I got a call from some wonderful people in the British Virgin Islands to see if I would like to come there to help with a health food store/restaurant/lifestyle center. Did someone say ISLAND???
The view from my hammock in my mind!
But Rob had no interest in that. I know, what planet is he from??? :)
There was cowboy who visited the farm the other day that informed Rob he is wanting a family to come live on his ranch to work a garden. He raises organic cattle (I'm not sure if he butchers them there). He would pay for everything, he has horses... Rob was smitten. He wants to be around horses. It sounded nice, I will agree, except the cattle part. I keep thinking about smells of a slaughterhouse... : /
I decided to choose a friendly picture of a cow
Just today I had a message from a friend who recently moved to Kentucky. To make it short, there are possibilities for us out there, including a nursing job for me, which I would like very much!
There others that I'm not mentioning, but would be wonderful as well. But, after praying and praying, we have decided to take a step in a particular direction. That will be in part 2.
Please pray for us!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Bedtime!
I love bedtime! It's quiet as soon as I put the kids down. I can have a little peace for myself and I have been sleeping SO well! Part of it is because Jovie has finally stopped having night terrors! She would have them almost every night for months. It was exhausting. But they seem to be gone! And I am sleeping! And we are trying to get to bed by 9pm and it is wonderful! We go to bed so early (although, I'm starting to think even 9 is late...) because we are up at 5 because of the sun and birds. And I believe God wakes me up to spend some time with Him, which is great!
But Rob is now going out to the farm at 6 am. He was spoiled for a while, going in at 9! It is almost 9pm now and he is not even home from the farm yet! Poor guy. No time left for anything! But he really enjoys it. He is outside all day! Anyone who knows Rob will know that makes him happy! He is loving this experience! I love to get out there with him and hopefully not hinder the work!
I have also been riding Rob's bike around trailing Jovie. That can take some work, especially on the hills. Which are everywhere. One day I would love to live where there are no big hills so I can easily ride a bike around! But I am able to climb the hills, even while towing 40-50 extra pounds! I have also been running, on a treadmill (because I have the kids and they can jump on the rebounder while I run) and I feel great! I am only at the 1 mile, but it's great! So that helps with my sleeping. And it has been very warm.
I really have to say, again, that it is such a blessing to be here. There are times I wish I wasn't here, but generally, I am very grateful to be here. God is working on us, on me. I can only pray that I am open to His teaching and molding of my heart. And I can NOT wait to see what He has planned for us! There are doors opening, but which one we enter, I can't wait to find out! I will be letting you in on these opportunities soon. I am just trying to wrap my head around them, and of course pray about them!
Yikes! It's after 9 and I need to get to bed!
I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Blessings to you!
But Rob is now going out to the farm at 6 am. He was spoiled for a while, going in at 9! It is almost 9pm now and he is not even home from the farm yet! Poor guy. No time left for anything! But he really enjoys it. He is outside all day! Anyone who knows Rob will know that makes him happy! He is loving this experience! I love to get out there with him and hopefully not hinder the work!
I have also been riding Rob's bike around trailing Jovie. That can take some work, especially on the hills. Which are everywhere. One day I would love to live where there are no big hills so I can easily ride a bike around! But I am able to climb the hills, even while towing 40-50 extra pounds! I have also been running, on a treadmill (because I have the kids and they can jump on the rebounder while I run) and I feel great! I am only at the 1 mile, but it's great! So that helps with my sleeping. And it has been very warm.
I really have to say, again, that it is such a blessing to be here. There are times I wish I wasn't here, but generally, I am very grateful to be here. God is working on us, on me. I can only pray that I am open to His teaching and molding of my heart. And I can NOT wait to see what He has planned for us! There are doors opening, but which one we enter, I can't wait to find out! I will be letting you in on these opportunities soon. I am just trying to wrap my head around them, and of course pray about them!
Yikes! It's after 9 and I need to get to bed!
I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Blessings to you!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Lesson Learned!
Let me tell you. It is pretty difficult to not know what we will be doing come October. The closer it gets, I find the more anxiety I have. I have been praying for God's direction. I had been determined that we, as a family, would enter the mission field, go abroad... Rob has other plans. He wants to buy land somewhere, start a farm and apparently settle down.
So as you can imagine, we were silently battling it out to see who would win! Not real fighting or even talking about it, but just holding on to our wants and see whose idea God will choose, if you will.
God has been teaching me lately. I pray I am learning what it is He is teaching me. Instead of going out into the exotic mission field, I have a mission in my own home! My children are my ministry. Who they grow up to be, how they turn out, will they choose God and serve Him and ultimately be in heaven with their Savior? The way they treat people, their reactions to unpleasant situations, how they act when no one else is looking. These are the things God has for me right now. Honestly, I don't know where to begin to start with all the habits they attained that are not appealing. But God has promised to help. Brody and Jovie are His children. He has given Rob and I the responsibility to train them for His service. Yikes! But, again, God has promised to help. I pray for His presence to be near me, right next to me, as near as He can get(!) when I am dealing with situations, when I am talking with them, when I am loving on them! All the time!
In a sense, I was looking for a promotion. I was wanting a bigger work.
I have also discovered that I am expecting blessings from God. What am I doing that I should blessed? A true prayer I have prayed is, "God give us property, please." Selfish. Is my heart truly seeking to do God's work with this property I am expecting Him to give us? Honestly, no. I might be painting pretty pictures around it to make it look that way and tricking myself to believe it, but I can see myself receiving the gift and not doing my part. That pains me.
This morning I was reading in a little book that Dean Lou (Fitting) gave to Rob called Help in Daily Living by EGW. This is a spectacular book! On page 16 it says, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not." Jeremiah 45:5. The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty than upon receiving their reward-men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion.
So I need to focus on my duty, my kids!
Pg. 17: While the shepherds were watching their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, angels from heaven visited them. So today while the humble worker for God is following His employment, angels of God stand by his, listening to his words, nothing the manner in which his work is done, to see if larger responsibilities may be entrusted to his hands.
Angels are next to me, watching how I perform with the responsibilities God has already given me. I pray that every moment, every second God will give me guidance and help to perform my duties in a way pleasing to Him. And let me tell you, my kids test my limits! Every reaction to them needs to be led by God. I cannot do it on my own. And I fail so often!
Pg 18,19 talks about Plans for the Future. A Christian life is a pilgrim life. It is not for us to shape our future. As we commit our ways to Him, he will direct our paths. God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Let God plan for you. As a little child, trust to the guidance of Him who will "keep the feet of His saints." 1 Samuel 2:9
What a promise! But it is still hard to trust and wait.
At church this last week during praise and prayer request time, I had a request for prayer for direction when we are done here. After I said that, I realized I don't need direction. I need patience and faith! God knows where we will be going after this. He has a place in mind for us. He just hasn't let us know yet! So I need patience and faith for His timing. I still struggle with anxiety and uncertainty, so please pray for me! Faith and patience are hard things to acquire. Only with God's help.
I pray that this will bless you as it has me!
PS- I still want to travel! Short term mission trips would be great!
So as you can imagine, we were silently battling it out to see who would win! Not real fighting or even talking about it, but just holding on to our wants and see whose idea God will choose, if you will.
God has been teaching me lately. I pray I am learning what it is He is teaching me. Instead of going out into the exotic mission field, I have a mission in my own home! My children are my ministry. Who they grow up to be, how they turn out, will they choose God and serve Him and ultimately be in heaven with their Savior? The way they treat people, their reactions to unpleasant situations, how they act when no one else is looking. These are the things God has for me right now. Honestly, I don't know where to begin to start with all the habits they attained that are not appealing. But God has promised to help. Brody and Jovie are His children. He has given Rob and I the responsibility to train them for His service. Yikes! But, again, God has promised to help. I pray for His presence to be near me, right next to me, as near as He can get(!) when I am dealing with situations, when I am talking with them, when I am loving on them! All the time!
In a sense, I was looking for a promotion. I was wanting a bigger work.
I have also discovered that I am expecting blessings from God. What am I doing that I should blessed? A true prayer I have prayed is, "God give us property, please." Selfish. Is my heart truly seeking to do God's work with this property I am expecting Him to give us? Honestly, no. I might be painting pretty pictures around it to make it look that way and tricking myself to believe it, but I can see myself receiving the gift and not doing my part. That pains me.
This morning I was reading in a little book that Dean Lou (Fitting) gave to Rob called Help in Daily Living by EGW. This is a spectacular book! On page 16 it says, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not." Jeremiah 45:5. The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty than upon receiving their reward-men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion.
So I need to focus on my duty, my kids!
Pg. 17: While the shepherds were watching their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, angels from heaven visited them. So today while the humble worker for God is following His employment, angels of God stand by his, listening to his words, nothing the manner in which his work is done, to see if larger responsibilities may be entrusted to his hands.
Angels are next to me, watching how I perform with the responsibilities God has already given me. I pray that every moment, every second God will give me guidance and help to perform my duties in a way pleasing to Him. And let me tell you, my kids test my limits! Every reaction to them needs to be led by God. I cannot do it on my own. And I fail so often!
Pg 18,19 talks about Plans for the Future. A Christian life is a pilgrim life. It is not for us to shape our future. As we commit our ways to Him, he will direct our paths. God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Let God plan for you. As a little child, trust to the guidance of Him who will "keep the feet of His saints." 1 Samuel 2:9
What a promise! But it is still hard to trust and wait.
At church this last week during praise and prayer request time, I had a request for prayer for direction when we are done here. After I said that, I realized I don't need direction. I need patience and faith! God knows where we will be going after this. He has a place in mind for us. He just hasn't let us know yet! So I need patience and faith for His timing. I still struggle with anxiety and uncertainty, so please pray for me! Faith and patience are hard things to acquire. Only with God's help.
I pray that this will bless you as it has me!
PS- I still want to travel! Short term mission trips would be great!
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