New Adventures

I'm interrupting my anniversary trip recap to tell you some real-time news from our lives.

Let me start with the back-story.

About six months ago, I noticed that my speaking schedule had all but come to a screeching halt. I had no explanation for why, and though it would have been easy to be discouraged by this change in my calendar, my heart felt an unexplainable peace about it. We talked and prayed about it and both of us felt like it was a purposeful act of God, and though we didn't understand why He seemed to be clearing my schedule, we trusted His choice to do so.

I'm (clearly) not the breadwinner of the family, but my income from speaking and writing was a help to us, so after a few months of silence, we did begin to wonder if perhaps I should begin looking for something to help supplement. I did look and even applied a few places, but God closed every door. I was sad, because some of the jobs were perfect fits for my gifts, and it's always hard to be passed over, but I just kept praying and trusting!

The day before Thanksgiving, I received a phone call from our church, asking if I would be interested in being considered as a candidate to cover for an upcoming maternity leave for the secretary. (She's one of my women's ministry team members, and I just love her!)

Ryan and I prayed about it that day and throughout our Turkey Tour 2019, and as we headed toward Ohio on Friday, I texted the pastor to let him know I would be interested in being considered. Since I was on my way out of town for a few days, I asked if I could come in upon my return (provided that the baby hadn't arrived yet) to observe her at work and learn more about the job. He said that would be just fine!

So that's why we came back so early in the day on Tuesday and scurried to get all the unpacking and laundry done, because bright and early Wednesday morning, I was at the church for a day of copious note-taking, question-asking, observing, and of course, generally being overwhelmed by everything she does. I knew she did a hundred million things, but I didn't realize it was more like a hundred billion.

I went back again on Thursday for another day of observation, and interaction, and before the end of the week, they officially offered me the position!

The secretary already had this past Friday scheduled off work, so I stayed home as well, and for the last three days, I've been trying to reorganize our lives and schedules so I can resume a working-world lifestyle after being a stay-at-home wife for four years. I'm not sure I've fully accomplished that task, but I do feel some better about the structure of everything. (Nothing like choosing to take a job smack in the middle of cards and gifts and everything else, right?)

I'm hopeful that the sweet little baby (due this week) stays warm and cozy for just a few more days so I can continue to learn, but we have no guarantees of that, of course. She plans to work until the baby comes, so I'm not sure when my official on-my-own start day will be, but whenever it comes, I know it will be a combination of amazing and terrifying all at once.

I'm so excited to be able to help contribute financially to our family again, and I'm excited to be able to meet more people within the church and maybe even learn things that are helpful in my roles in women's ministry and small group ministry! But oh my - there is just so much to learn.

I plan to continue blogging every day, but for the present time, we will have to put the podcast on hold. It takes many hours to record and edit, and I know I can't do everything in the whole world. We are considering this season an opportunity to figure out our household priorities, which for the last solid year have been in a state of upheaval with all that has gone on in our world.

We have no idea what will come after the maternity leave ends, but for this short season, we are grateful for the Lord's provision in this way!

I just wanted to catch you up! It's definitely going to be a huge adjustment, but I am looking forward to this change!