"Be still, and know that I am God"

I just got back my letter I wrote myself when I went on the woman's retreat this last spring with Salem Heights (we write letters to ourselves, and they are sent to us a few months later).  It was an amazing weekend to spend with family and friends; learning that I am truly not alone.  Here is the letter I wrote myself, encouraging words that are always good to hear...

"Life has its' ups and downs, but you are far from alone.  

You have a God that is far above all things.  

Keep believing, trusting in the Lord when you don't understand 

what is going on around you.  

Remember the promises you have read in His word, 

'...He will make your paths straight...' (Proverbs 3:6).  

Those paths though, may be different than you thought or expected, 

but they are the roads your father wants you to take.  

Lean on Him to show you the way."

Encouraging verses: 2 Kings 18:3-7; Eph. 4:32; Hebrews 13:5; Isaiah 43:18; Exodous 2; Colossians 3:12-15; Phil. 3:13-15; Jer. 29:11-14; Matthew 18:21-35; Psalm 46:10; Psalm 147:3; Psalm 40; John 16:33 and Psalm 37:7

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

New JOB!!

It is official...Jason officially has a teaching job!  It came completely out of the air, but what a great surprise it was.  I actually thought he was kidding when he told me since it was Saturday, and who gets a job offer on a Saturday?  Another reason it was so surprising is he hadn't interviewed for a teaching job since May...I think he made a pretty good impression. :) We had just got home from our co-ed softball tournament when Jason checked his messages. . .

He turned to me with tears in his eyes and said that he had been offered a job!  It is a part-time LRC teaching position (Learning Resource Center; special education).  He will actually be at the brand new middle school in West Salem, Straub Middle School. With special education there is always the possibility that it could become full-time, but as for now we are over the moon with what he has. 

Straub Middle School Under Contruction

Now he is officially in the Salem-Keizer School District in a permanent position, what a blessing.  So, if a full-time position opened he could just transfer.  Also, since he will be going to school until March to finish his special education teaching endorsement, part-time might be ideal.

Here is a link to pictures from the construction process: http://www.flickr.com//photos/salemkeizer/sets/72157626372612770/show/

It is amazing how my last post was about resting in the Lord...I honestly felt completely at peace about our whole job situation, and when we least expected an offer it came.  I am so proud of all the hard work Jason has done with school, work and guiding me in patience and waiting.  We are still praying that something will come for me, but as for now we are so grateful, thankful and excited about what this means for us and our future.

God is so good!

Restful.

That is the word that I would describe our summer.  With rest though comes the opportunity to really think about what the future may hold.  Since we both lost our jobs at the end of the school year due to budget cuts our futures are somewhat up in the air.

With all this uncertainty comes the nagging thought of, "Why?"  I am so thankful that God put into Jason and I the desire to teach and to want to impact people, but without teaching jobs set up as of yet, it makes me wonder what we will be doing in the next few months.  But, I did say that 'restful' was how I was feeling...and that is true.

The only way I can describe it, is that I know that we aren't doing anything wrong, it's not that we aren't trying or putting ourselves out there.  The truth is, is that our "perfect" plan for our lives is not the ultimate perfect plan of God.  So, I am resting in that truth.

I am resting in the fact that He has not let us slip though the cracks, but that He is just waiting to let us see the beautiful work He is going to do through us.  I am resting in the fact that I know we will be taken care of, and that we will not be without what we need.  Although we want jobs, something perfectly okay to want, it appears that may not be what we needed this summer.

It appears this summer we needed time to rest, or at least I did.  This summer is giving Jason time to go to school to complete his master's degree in special education; a passion and gift he has that constantly amazes me.  So, as the summer continues, we will not stop working hard, praying hard and will REST in the fact that God's plans are far greater than anything we could have come up with.