Saturday, September 29, 2007

I was really considering closing this blog.  Sometimes, I feel like I am neglecting it, you know?  I spend most of my free time these days on MySpace, or playing free online games (LOL).  But then, I remember that here, I can write about things that I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with the whole world.  AOL Journals is kinda like family to me, you know?  I can be me here.  The whole me, not just a piece of me.  It's good to keep things and places like that in your life. 

Matthew has been out of work for about a month and a half now.  The temp job that he had ended his contract out of the blue.  Naturally, I became upset and frustrated, because things were a little tight in here for awhile.  But it's times like these that I appreciate my husband's willingness to just wait patiently.  He was doing all of the right things---filing for unemployment, going to the work source agency, filling out applications online.  I even got in on it, helping him any way that I could.  This time, my husband would not settle for any job, like he did so many times before, selling himself short.  He wanted---and rightly so---to find a job in the field that he went, and is going, to school for.

This week, my husband went for his second interview for a job offer that appears to give him what he (and I) always wanted for him---stability.  The company has been in business for 55 years, he says.  The offer benefits, such as medical insurance, paid holidays and vacations.  What he likes best about it is that he gets paid every week, instead of biweekly! LOL  I am PRAYING that they will pay him what he asked them to, maybe even more.  If he gets this job, this will be the first time that Matthew will actually hold down what I would call a "real" job.  Yes, he worked at UPS for eight years, but that was mostly part time.  He worked there that long because he didn't have a choice.  Computer technicians weren't exactly in high demand in New Orleans' hospitality industry.  But there is plenty of work for him here.  I cannot express how happy I am that he will finally be able to work in the field that he is trained for.  We're just waiting for them to call him for a start date.

If they don't call him back, plenty of other companies have been calling him this week, too.  I don't know where Matthew will be working, all that I know is that he will be working soon, and that's a good thing.  I told Matt that I don't mind doing what I can to make ends meet for now, but I made it clear to him that this can only be a temporary arrangement.  Maybe if I were ballin' and making some major money, I wouldn't mind, but the reality is that the both of us need to work.  He and I both have bills to pay that have nothing to do with the family itself, such as school loans and debt management.  Let's not talk about the utilities, car insurance, and groceries to feed our growing daughters.  A second income is necessary.       

As I mentioned before, my girls are growing up.  Nicolette is thriving!  The school that she is attending just so happens to be an "arts" school (go figure!!!)  It's what I wanted for her, although I didn't even know that the school down the street was one!!!  She takes dance and theater, and is loving it!  Her theater arts class is planning to go to New York City in May, and I plan to send her.  I'd like to go with them myself, since I've always wanted to go to New York City, but I don't know how much the trip will cost us yet.  More details to follow............

Maya and Angela are struggling a bit.  That first semester always is the hardest, but they will improve.  I want to check up on Angie's new teacher, though.  At open house, she claimed that she was going to start tutorials that following week.  Two weeks have passed, and still no tutorials.  She's a new teacher, and has been out for quite a number of days (death in the family, she says) this year.  I want to be as helpful to her as possible, because my child's future depends on it!  This lady's got to get herself together!

We also may be moving soon.  More details on that as they come..............  

I am rambling, aren't I?  Well, I can ramble.......I am working some OT tonight.  The eyelids are getting a little heavy, though.  Some of the easiest money I ever made in my life!  Goodness, I LOVE my job!

Adrian

Saturday, September 8, 2007

OPEN AND CLOSED DOORS

 

Opened And Closed Doors

We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us.

If he didn’t close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door. Even when we don’t realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes; it forces us to change our course yet again.

Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.

But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we “judge by the appearances.” And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need who is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road and HE sets up road blocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying “Lord how could this happen to me?”

We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn’t He say that “No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?”

If you get terminated from your job - don’t be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school. If that man or woman won’t return your call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

I’m so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)

The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

Always Remember God gives you...

Enough Happiness to keep you Going Enough Trials to keep you Strong Enough Sorrows to keepyou Human Enough Hope to keep you Happy Enough Failure to keep you Humble Enough Success to keep you Eager Enough Friends to give you Comfort Enough Wealth to meet your Needs Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward Enough Faith to banish depression Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last.

***and Enough Honey to keep you Sweet

Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards. Commit to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

Share this and He will continue to open and close doors for you.



I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13


Monday, September 3, 2007

ESPECIALLY FOR YOU; HAPPY LABOR DAY, Y'ALL!

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others including Love.

One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left.

Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh...Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you."

It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that Love even forgot to ask the elder her name.

When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way. Love, realizing how much Love owed the elder, asked Knowledge, another elder, " Who helped me?"

"It was Time," Knowledge answered.

"Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?"

Knowledge smiled with great Wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND

Love,

Adrian