Career Change?

I'm trying to work my husband into a new job. In some ways it would be a step forward. In others, a step back.

Our school is going to be putting in a cafeteria to be able to serve lunches to the students. They will need someone to run the kitchen operations. If you know my husband at all, you know he loves to cook! He's always one of the "kitchen ladies" working on Mission Meals. Plus, he's often there to help out and clean up at other events at the church.

We have been feeling that God is leading us into a hospitality ministry in missions -- running a guest house or hosting short-term teams. This would be an opportunity to try his hand at cooking for a crowd (probably only about 100) on a daily basis.

Sounds good, huh? Well, the down side is that it would be a significant reduction in pay. But it would also be a significant reduction in commute time and cost, a significant reduction in stress, and a way out of a bad work environment. We're willing to take the pay cut if we can make it on our salaries. I know we can stand to reduce our living expenses a little bit. We've done it before.

I know that God has put me in my current job for a reason. For me, it meant a bit more pay. It also meant a change in lifestyle for myself, for William (going to school for the first time), and the rest of the family. But now that we've settled into a routine, I'm finding I really enjoy my position. It really is a ministry -- to the students, the parents, and the staff.

Please pray for wisdom for us as we contemplate this career change and for the school leadership as they make their decisions.

ap·pre·ci·a'·tion

–noun

1.	gratitude; thankful recognition: They showed their appreciation by giving him a gold watch.

There's nothing like being gone for a couple of days to make folks appreciate you. Of course, the secretary at a small school picks up all the little pieces -- none of which seem that big a the time, but they add up to a lot. (Not to toot my own horn -- it's just the nature of the job.) But it is nice to be appreciated now and then.

A fellow blogger talked about moms and not being appreciated. Moms of toddlers deserve an award for just persevering! You young mothers really amaze me! Especially the ones that weave and bake and knit and make cards and scrapbook and organize meals and... Well, you get the drift. I'm doing good to just get through my day taking care of the necessities. Crafting? Baking? One day I'd like to get back to those.

This fellow blogger also told a story about her son that reminded me of some humorous anecdotes from my children. I hope you don't mind if I borrow your idea, Schweers' mom. I can't promise the deep lesson to go with them, but they might be worth a chuckle.

My older son was about four when we went to my cousin's wedding. Twice during the reception, after sitting quietly, enjoying his refreshments, he suddenly found himself upside down, along with the chair he had been sitting in. Once was with chocolate cake, the other with red punch -- all on blue carpet!

While discussing these events with my sister-in-law, she shared an incident that had occurred about a month before on a camping trip we took together. He was at her campsite, watching them set up, calmly sitting on an ice chest. The next thing she knows, he and the ice chest are upside down. He gets up, dusts himself off, looks at her and says, "I hate it when that happens!"

My younger son has given us a few new sayings. My daughter now asks her friends, "What your doin'?" Also, once a year we have to go get our car expected. I know there are more, but the brain is old.

One day the younger son came running into my room, doing a potty dance. "Mommy, Mommy! Can I use your bathroom? Julie's in ours plundering the toilet!"

I still am wondering what "treasures" she was finding!

The moral to the stories?

1. Show your appreciation to all the "little people" who make your life easier.
2. Funny stories are precious! Save them up for first dates and other embarassing moments!

Because I'm home

The boy & I decided to stay home one more day. He's getting over his symptoms. Mine are diminishing but have not gone away yet. Hopefully, we'll be back in the swing of things by tomorrow.

He is feeling good enough to do homework. Getting him to do it, though, takes more energy than I have today. But I'll keep trying. I hate for him to get too far behind.

I started reading through Colossians 1 today. There are so many good examples: The Colossians, known for their faith and love and hope; Epaphrus, whom Paul calls a "dear fellow servant" and "faithful minister" and who brought the Colossians to the knowledge of Christ; Paul, who did not stop praying for the Colossians to grow in their knowledge and understanding.

And what a marvelous prayer!

10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

I praise God that he gives me knowledge and understanding, counting me worthy to share in His work and giving me the strength to do it. To Him be the Glory!

Life goes on

The excitement for this week was our Fall Carnival at school, which was Friday night. It was lots of fun! We had a bounce house and an inflatable obstacle course, which I helped man. Also, there were some game booths, karaoke, and hair and face painting. Our high school teacher obtained sumo wrestler suits -- so padded the person inside couldn't move! That was hilarious to watch! We had lots of candy and drinks left over, but it was a good night!

My school kid did not get to participate in any of the possible October 31 events due to not doing his homework for two nights in a row! He's got to get motivated to do his work. We can't coax him through every step on a daily basis. He's also needs to learn to use his class time wisely.

School kid and I had to stay home Sunday and Monday due to tummy problems. We'll see what tomorrow holds. He has the obvious symptoms. I just have stomach pain. Bummer!

We recooked the jelly last weekend and it gelled to a soft set. I like it better that way. It's much easier to spread! Now we need to cook the rest of the juice!

On a more serious note, I've been convicted about how infrequently I spend time in the Word and in prayer. Believe it or not, reading blogs is a great encouragement. But it's no substitute for personal time with God. I think it's time to pick up that Bible...