It took a few hours, but after pouring out my discouragements and such, I got enough motivation to suit up for a ride on the bike. And then it took another hour or so to work up enough motivation to actually get the bike down, take it outside, and get on it. It was almost like the bright, clear, sunny skies were mocking me... Maybe it was. In any case, I did get out and spent around an hour pedaling -- 30 minutes of it at a very hard pace. And that seemed to clear out some of the fog, cobwebs, and dust that had been collecting over the last few days.
In response to yesterday's posting I got messages from Elise's mom, dad, and my dad. It's encouraging to know that we are not alone in experiencing life's struggles.
All the stresses adding up resulted in tremendous fatigue at the end of the day. I was in bed at 9 p.m. -- the only thing preventing me from actually getting to sleep were some sore muscles from the hard efforts earlier in the day. Elise took care of that by giving them a bit of a massage.
Elise has started her RN license refresher course. She obtained the id/password for the online portion of the course and has begun studying. She is waiting for the textbook to arrive in the mail.
A few months back, during lunch following our worship time at Tualatin, I mentioned to the guest speaker about what we were in the process of going through. I mentioned to him that we were commited to doing this at all costs, even if it meant draining all our savings, investments, and retirement. It was easy enough to say then, but now that that looks closer to reality, it is, in fact, very difficult to accept. With Shelley only five years away from college, and Walla Walla College (soon to be University) costing $20K/year today, how are we ever going to manage that five years from now, I wonder?
Since I didn't get a call yesterday from the place I applied for employment, I assume someone else got the job. I've been thinking about it, and it just seems that employment requiring me to be present during fixed days and hours is going to be in conflict with my primary "job." For example, next January I will need to be at pastor's meetings in Anchorage during the good part of a week. That just won't go over too well with most employers. So maybe it is best that I don't look for a "normal" job. I just don't know.
1 comment:
Mark, don't be discouraged. Easy for me to say...right? I'm not there...true. But you are not alone in this adventure. God is there, even when it may not feel like it. Your angel is there, probably many in fact. Surrounding you wanting to help. This time of trial may be one of the hardest you face in life. Or it may be a stepping stone for building you up for even bigger trials...who knows but God. But it will all work out for the glory of God in the end if we let Him work through us. You have taken that step, you and your family. Trials are sure to follow...based on other's experiences I've heard about, that is invariably what happens.
You are being watched and not just by family...by friends like us, by neighbors around you, by your church members, by the invisible worldlings, etc. You can and will come through this transition in your life. God promises to provide the strength to endure whatever trials come our way.
We have been following along in your adventure. You have stepped out in faith that I am truly amazed by. Something will work out. It may come in the least expected way. But it will happen... a job, a check, a discount, a health benefit, who knows. God will provide for those who step out in faith as you have.
I wish you had broadband...you probably do too... but It Is Written has their TV shows online and we have downloaded a few since the broadcast time is usually not ideal. If you can or get a chance check out the show called "Dog Sled Bibles" on July 23 at
http://www.iiw.org/tvprogram/archives/
It is quite inspiring...about a Romanian who has stepped out in faith like you. He is delivering Bibles up in the Arctic Circle.
We've been praying for you and your family. We pray that something will work out. I think Elise getting her RN license for AK is a good move. That will help alot financially. We enjoy the photos and stories. Hang in there. Let your family know we care, too. God bless your work there!
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