A Season of Surprises

It has been on my heart to start writing again for weeks, but whenever I try to start writing, nothing comes. There are so many things I want to share – so much that has taken place in the last few months or so. Much of it has been challenging, but also fruitful. I suppose that’s how it goes, right?

I didn’t want it to be just another recap – I wanted to impart wisdom, or at least encouragement. I want this to be a place where others can come and be encouraged; but have to remind myself that even if this ends up just being an online diary of sorts, it’s okay too.

If nothing else, this season has been one of trust. Yet, that’s nothing new for us. I feel like God keeps on sending us new ways to grow in trust of Him. It is only in trusting Him that we can even begin to hope. I am so thankful for my Faith – without it, there would be no hope.

I feel like this season started somewhere last fall. It kind of snuck up on me. I started the school year going in three different directions with one kid in public school, two in private school, two being homeschooled, and one in that stage of not being a toddler but also not fully starting on any structured school time.

On top of that, I started volunteering for the middle school youth group and started selling shampoo while praying and thinking about possibly going to work to help my husband with providing financially. Then my grandmother moved in with us. (If this is the first time you’re reading one of my blog posts, we are currently living with my parents and youngest sister until we find a home of our own.)

With each passing week, the care of my grandmother got more and more hands on. At first, my parents helped her out the most, then they brought in home health aides and nurses, and I also took a more active role in her care. As a previous Nursing Assistant, it was something that came naturally to me. Finally, in December, hospice was brought in. She ended up passing away two days after Christmas, on her 83rd birthday.

It wasn’t until after her death that I fully realized the toll that her care had taken on me (and the rest of my family – parents, husband, children, etc.). We were so thankful to be able to be there for her in her last days and will treasure the memories we have of her in our lives, but that doesn’t discount the fact that it was hard.

Two days later, during my grandmother’s wake, my husband called me on his way home from work telling me he had been let go from his job. It was out of the blue and dealt quite a blow as he imagined himself being with this company for the rest of his career. How could God allow him to be laid off from a job he loved and was excelling in? We wondered.

We visited with family in Ohio for the new year, and then John got to work searching for a new job. Out of all the applications that he sent out, he only heard back from one company. Some may see this as a bad thing, but it ended up being a blessing. For some reason, God removed him from his old job and closed every door to any other company in the area. I see it as God pointing us in a very specific direction. Why this company? We still don’t know why – we trust that God has a plan. John started work at the end of January, and has been enjoying it.

About midway through January, as we were figuring out job stuff, another surprise hit us. We found out that we were pregnant. God certainly has a sense of humor. Again, God was asking us to trust Him. Nothing is certain, as we look to the future. Yet, God knows. He has a plan. It’s a lesson in surrendering any of our plans to Him and trusting Him with our lives.

There are still a lot of things to figure out. Many plans have been made, but then just as quickly, overturned. Yet, there is still much hope. We continue to move forward. We continue to make tentative plans as we prayerfully discern the next steps that God is calling us to.

We pray to buy a home of our own this year. Again, that is up to God, and consumes much of our prayers. As we move into May, we will get started with the pre-approval process and continue from there. I ask that you keep us in your prayers as we continue to discern God’s will in this season.