Life's challenges

It has been an interesting last couple weeks. My unemployment has been rough. I am normally a pretty busy person, so having all this free time is too much! I know, some of you say, what? I could do so much with more free time. But, when one has too much, that is when it is a problem. Plus, I feel almost like I have no purpose to most of my days, other than looking for jobs...
Challenging? YES.
Yesterday I was reading in a great little daily devotional book called Streams in the Desert, and read something that was profound for my situation right now. Let me just share some of it with you.
January 18th, "God wins His greatest victories through apparent defeats. Very often the enemy seems to triumph for a season, and God allows it. But then He comes in and upsets the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, 'frustrates the ways of the wicked' (Ps. 146:9)...If there is a great trial in your life today, do not acknowledge it as a defeat. Instead, continue by faith to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you 'more than conquerors' (Romans 8:37), and a glorious victory will soon be apparent. May we learn that in all the difficult places God takes us, He is giving us opportunities to exercise our faith in Him that will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name."
A good reminder to me to continue to trust the Lord despite the challenges of unemployment.
Today, the opportunity to go to Haiti has been presented to me. As in, leave next week. This is all very sudden and a bit overwhelming. I've got some praying to do and more thoughts in my head need to be figured out. Brian is in support of me going; I'll have to keep you all updated!!

A few months later.

The last few months have been a bit busy. I finished my job at Portland Providence on the 12th of December, enjoyed Christmas with my family, New Year's was in Juneau, was in a wedding, and have been looking for jobs the whole time. Here are some pictures to update you all to whats up with Brian and I.



My first friend while living in Juneau was Rachel Alderfer from Pennsylvania. She just got married to an awesome guy, Lee Phelps on the 1st of January. I felt very fortunate to get to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. It was a good day!

Yum, who can resist Russian dumplings in the Juneau way of eating them??

Walking on Mendenhall Lake with Kristin and Janelle. It was making a little too much noise for us though, so we didn't go all the way to the glacier...

An aerial shot of Juneau. The plane turned just right so I could see down and behind the wing. Plus the sun was just rising. It's a beautiful city.


Now we're back at home in Tigard. Brian is busy working two night shifts and going to school four days a week. I...am still looking for a job. But, I will trust the Lord in this matter.