Thus Far #4

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12

This week has been incredible!  I got laid off on Monday.  Let me backtrack a little though....(because it probably isn't normal for someone who just lost their job to be happy and to exclaiming how great their week was)!

I had worked at our old church as the bookkeeper for 9 years.  I went in once a week and "did the books", which included counting the deposit and paying the bills mostly.  Usually no one else was there and I took the kids and it was perfect for me.  Being a stay-at-home-mom is my #1 job, this job was perfect because I could work around that and still make a little money on the side!  Usually I just had Ashten with me because all the boys were in school and she would just watch videos on the iPad or play games or something.  

Well on Monday two guys showed up (whom I had never really worked with/reported to) and kept asking me when I'd be done and how much I had left to do, etc.  It was weird.  Then finally they just came in and said, "we need to meet with you when you're done." I knew right then that I was getting let go.  I won't go into all the details, but lets just say it was very hurtful and dishonest, the things they said and did, and the guy who did most of the letting-go, his wife is taking over my job. Coincidence, hmmmm, I'm thinking not!

But here's the cool part, and here's why it was such an incredible week: had I not got laid off from my job, my eyes might not have been opened to just how perfectly God has provided for us.  You see, for our adoption, we have to prove a certain amount of income per family member, including our new adopted child.  Back in August, Chris started teaching an extra class, which pays extra. This is not normal, most teachers are never given this opportunity. I am so proud of Chris for being willing to take on this extra work and for being such a great teacher that the administration at his school thought of him for this job. With Chris' base salary and this extra class, we are just about at $800 over the adoption income requirement!!!!  I hadn't even noticed how perfect that is. Had God not provided that opportunity for Chris to teach the extra class and then I had gotten laid off, we would not have been able to prove enough income to proceed with our adoption!!  Can you see it, how perfectly God provided?

I remember even saying back in August, "I wonder if God is giving us this extra income now because we're going to need it in the future?"  Of course, I was thinking of something like our house needing a major repair or having to buy a new car or something, but isn't it cool to see how God knew we'd need the extra money for our adoption?  God is so committed to seeing this adoption to completion, it's just amazing.  And I told God way back from the very beginning, I would be giving Him all the glory on this journey, because if we adopt, it's all because of Him, not because we are good enough or rich enough or strong enough!  

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen  ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

I am still going to look for a new job, but I really don't feel the pressure about it I felt earlier in the week. When I was pregnant with Ashten, I got laid off from my transcription job and it ended up being a huge blessing.  There was no way I would have been able to continue working every night while also nursing and taking care of a newborn plus 3 rambunctious boys, it just wouldn't have happened, something would have had to give.  And God knew that and He provided the extra we needed to make up for me not working somehow.  So that's kind of how I feel about this: either God knows I need to focus my time and attention elsewhere and He's giving me that time back every week, or He has a better job in store for me.  I will do my part to look for jobs and see what's out there, but I'm not really too concerned either way.  It's a great place to be!