This summer has been one very short burst of a blur. I realize that it’s not quite over yet, but I start my new teacher orientation in about two weeks, so it’s not too far. As Laura and I get ready to take a quick vacation to San Antonio to visit her sister and brother-in-law, I wanted to take a quick look at how God has blessed me this summer.
I’m not normally a reflective person, just because I don’t take the time. Every time I try to reflect on the past year or so, I end up falling asleep, or looking at anything else. (Have I mentioned that I’ve diagnosed myself with “Adult ADD” ?) So, I consider myself an “in the moment” type of guy. However, so much has happened this summer, that I have actually taken many opportunities to sit down and just thank God for how He works.
The summer started out with the news that Laura was pregnant, and the baby would arrive in early February. Obviously, we are excited, and can’t wait. It still doesn’t seem real. Either that, or I don’t want to think about what a second child is going to be like.
Once we found out that Laura was pregnant, I started half-heartedly filling out applications and getting my resume ready because we want Laura to stay home. My insurance was awful, so I needed to look for a new job. I saw one job I was interested in, but I could only get 3 of the 21 pages filled out before the job was filled. I figured I would wait until next year, when it was necessary. God didn’t think so. 3 weeks later, a school on the south side of Peoria called and wanted an interview. Long story short, they offered me the job 2 days after the interview. I was so amazed at how doors opened. I wasn’t even looking for a job, I just prayed that God would take care of our family…He did. I am now the 7th/8th grade science teacher at Roosevelt Magnet School.
In the midst of all of this, I was a youth minister and took my group to Pascagoula, MS. This was a blessing beyond words. To see how God is using His people from all over the country was unbelievable. We met people who had literally given their lives for 2 years to the people and community of Pascagoula. It was truly a life changing trip.
On top of all of this, Betsy left for Uganda and my brother Adam and his wife Heidi are pregnant (they’re due the day after Laura is).
It has been a crazy summer, but one that has been such a blessing. God is good!
