It's a S L O W process

This month is one of celebrations & days that mark the road map of life for our family. The 21st, is the date we received Gracyn in China! It is a day that we remember the blessing and miracle of adoption. It has become tradition to watch her "Gotcha Video," that Brian created from the video and still shots we took while in China. It is emotional to watch and truly brings the amazement and awe we experienced while on our journey to add a precious child to our family. August also marks the month we returned from California, back to Spokane, after a year-and-a-half of shear "desert" for our family. Even as I write that, I hesitate to say desert, because as we get further and further from the rawness of the experience, the actuality becomes more clear to me. It was torturous, it was bring-me-to-my-knees crap, but I do see and am able to realize God, His hand, His blessings, in the midst. I hate that it was what is was. I hate the way it had to be done...but I am better for it and through it. I have perspectives I never had, I am grateful for the S L O W moving blessings of re-building, as they come...& I am at Peace. I began a new job, two days ago! It is a step in the healing journey of the past years. It is my dream job and I plan on being there forever! Coming to this job encompasses many small steps, nudges from God really, that led me to the experience and courage I needed to seek and receive. I've been a stay-at-home-mom for 13.5 years and frankly, no one was knocking down my door to employ me. Although I'm confident in my abilities and drive, I did not have relevant experience to even begin working in an area that may match my passions. About 10 months ago, probably actually 11...during the first weeks of a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class, Brian and I were instructed to create a budget. We were still reeling from the financial disaster of Brian loosing his job, years before, trying to balance 3 young kids who were not in school full-time and meeting the obligations and reality of the income required to support a family of five. After seeing the numbers, we knew one of us had to work an evening job. We both applied, agreeing that the first one to get an offer would accept. (I was fairly motivated, knowing 24-hour single-parenting was probably not my spiritual gift!) I received an offer for a catering company and began immediately. The job grew and grew, they gave me raises and promoted me and soon I was working most, and then, ALL weekends. I did enjoy the work, coordinating weddings and events, however, I was missing kids' concerts, soccer games, and life. It is probably the single most thing that helped create a greater bond between Grace and Brian (she mostly depended upon me for her needs and wants) and had many positives, but it began wearing me thin. Physically, being on my feet for 8-10 hours was brutal and I began to hear God's soft voice to search for a job at Whitworth. So many seeds had been planted to direct me to Whitworth, so many years before even, but it was time. I interviewed for a position and was not offered the job, but told to continue seeking. (Thank goodness for the personal decline phone-call and affirmation, or I may have quit trying.) Many months later I applied, interviewed, hoped & prayed...and it was to be. Brian is still interviewing...we are still on the quest to know what God has in-store for him. It is S L O W progress, but it is a road I'd never had traveled if it weren't for God and His Ways, but It. Is. Good. And, for today...I am at Peace in God's hands, knowing He led me, He promises me the best and life is a journey, not a destination.