Brandon got a job offer on Friday from a company in Mesa!! We are so grateful to his sister Amy for telling him about this job opening and we are so happy for the job search to be over! Now we can move onto the next step!
These past 5 months....
what can I say about them?...
I can only give my point of view....because Brandon's experience in all this will be different than mine because we are two different people with two different perspectives.....but one thing that is the same for both of us is the confirming knowledge that no prayer goes unanswered.
I have noticed that if I pay close attention, I can see how the Lord is preparing me for things to come. He did that with the Mill closing. He gave me prior trials of my faith....things I could never get through without relying solely on Him everyday. So, when the closure of the Mill was announced...my first thought was that "now is the time to put into practice what I have learned about trusting the Lord with all my heart." I felt like I had gone through a "trial of your faith" boot camp...and now was the time for action! I am so grateful to have been prepared, by the Lord (through trial) for this most recent (and ongoing) trial. "Faith and fear cannot co-exist". I have learned that I cannot give into worrying about the future and still trust the Lord. It's just not possible. The worry cancels out the faith.
When we found out that the Paper Mill was going bankrupt, (just a few weeks after moving into our new house).....I remember being worried for just a moment. Brandon is very involved in the finances of the Mill...and he is an optimistic person (an example I try hard to follow) so I felt like no matter what, things would be okay. I have continued to feel that over the past 5 months.
One of our first thoughts after the closure announcement was that we needed to sell our new house. This happened sooner than we thought it would! Our house didn't even make it onto the market! What a blessing it has been to not have to worry about selling a house on top of looking for a job.
I'd be a big fat liar if I said that I have not worried, fretted or shed tears over the past 5 months. I have done some of that...but just as quickly as those feelings come...they have left. I know this is because of constant prayer....scripture study, the prayers of others, fasting (by others...not me, since I am pregnant) and the reviewing of Temple covenants. I love the words of the Initiatory ordinance.
Another thing that I have had to do during the past 5 months is to trust Brandon's ability to receive revelation for our family. Brandon and I are on the same page about a lot of things. But, when the job hunt started, I felt like we should be looking anywhere within the United States! I felt a very urgent need to not leave out any option. Brandon had the impression that we needed to focus on looking for a job in Arizona first and then branch out from there. (I hope I am not sharing too much personal information Brandon!)...but from this experience, I am learning more about the promise I made to harken unto my husbands counsel as he harkens unto the Father.
I read a quote yesterday that sums up my feelings about this trial...and all others I have been through and will go through. It is this: "Let us continue, brethren and sisters, to work in the name of the Lord our God, gathering wisdom and intelligence day by day, that every circumstance which transpires may minister to our good."
We are going to move to Mesa (in 12 days) and stay at his mom's place there (and hopefully not drive my brother and sister in law crazy) while we look for a house to buy. I know this wont be easy...all of us in a little house...with a baby on the way...and the girls going to a new school...and Brandon learning a new job...but that's okay! Life can be smooth sailing even in the roughest of seas if we trust the Lord and keep an eternal perspective. That's what I am praying for...
*I love art! I am not sure who painted this picture...Liz Swindle or Greg Olsen or some other amazingly talented artist...but I am sure grateful for the talents of those who are able to make a visual representation of feelings.*
5 comments:
I agree with your summarization of our last several months of transition. I echo your testimony of trusting in the Lord and trying to follow the spirit.
To all who read this post, please know that while Jennifer will never sing her own praises, she is the spiritual glue that keeps our family together and moving in the right direction. Any success I have gained, or will gain is because of her.
Love you Jennifer!
Brandon and Jennifer,
That is great you were able to find a job. I fully understand your feelings on trusting in the Lord. I know the Lord knows us and answers our prayers. We have been blessed beyond measure with Byron's job that sometimes I don't feel like we were worthy of it, but nonetheless the Lord still blessed us. Im so excited for you guys. Good luck on your next adventure of house hunting.
I am so happy for you and feel so lucky to know you. Thank you for sharing your testimony.
Good luck in all your newest adventures!!
{though, I still have a twinge of loss that you aren't moving to Wausau... ;)
Love you guys so much and so happy that you are going to move to Mesa! You have been through A TON these past months and I would be in the mental hospital by now if I were you :) Although my very selfish reasons of having move to CA didn't pan out I know that you guys will be so happy in your new place. And I pray that you won't have to move for a longgggggg time! :) And now when I visit the rest of the family you're going to be there. Yipee!! Happy moving and happy last month of your pregnancy.
and on a COMPLETELY unrelated note I've decided you can't have any more kids- because your blog name finally makes sense! 5 flakes for 5 kids :) haha
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