To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven - Ecclesiastes 3:1
We've been very blessed recently.
Back in April, Nathan's bank laid off several people in his department. He was blessed enough to keep his job. Since then, he had been picking up more duties, doing the jobs that 4 people used to do. He's always been a hard worker and isn't one to complain, but when the time for raises kept getting postponed he decided enough was enough. They made an offer for a raise... but it was insulting based on the amount of work he's doing. So Nathan made a counter offer that more accurately compensated for the work he does, and management accepted his counter offer. Now were blessed with a greater opportunity to save for the future.
On August 5th we were blessed again. The federal government lifted the hiring freeze for Special Agent applications. At 12:01am Nathan's alarm woke him up so he could submit his application without delay. A week or two later he talked to some of his co-workers who have connections with the Seattle field office. It's hard to know who is actually connected and who just thinks she is, so time would reveal if the connections were real.
September 2nd - Nathan checked his email and found out that he had been selected to advance to Phase One of testing. He set his test appointment for September 10th, and he'll know more about two weeks after that.
I have also been blessed with hope lately. On August 25th I found out that a teaching position opened up last minute at a school where I have some significant connections. Once the position was officially posted online I submitted my application. I spoke with someone there and he said the principal was interested in having me start the year as a sub until they officially hire someone to take the position. Then a couple days later the secretary from the school called to see if I could come in for the department meetings. Although it's not official, I feel strongly that I will be offered the position. I'm excited and nervous, and have a lot of planning to do. But I feel supported there. It's time to show them what I'm made of. I will have two freshman classes and two sophomore classes (English). The position would be for this year, and might not be renewed next year. I'm happy for the opportunity to get experience and add to my resume. It might make job searching smoother next year.
Since Nathan graduated we have been planning...
Planning a trip to Italy to visit Christie, Chris and Teddy.
Planning how to save for the future
Back in April, Nathan's bank laid off several people in his department. He was blessed enough to keep his job. Since then, he had been picking up more duties, doing the jobs that 4 people used to do. He's always been a hard worker and isn't one to complain, but when the time for raises kept getting postponed he decided enough was enough. They made an offer for a raise... but it was insulting based on the amount of work he's doing. So Nathan made a counter offer that more accurately compensated for the work he does, and management accepted his counter offer. Now were blessed with a greater opportunity to save for the future.
On August 5th we were blessed again. The federal government lifted the hiring freeze for Special Agent applications. At 12:01am Nathan's alarm woke him up so he could submit his application without delay. A week or two later he talked to some of his co-workers who have connections with the Seattle field office. It's hard to know who is actually connected and who just thinks she is, so time would reveal if the connections were real.
September 2nd - Nathan checked his email and found out that he had been selected to advance to Phase One of testing. He set his test appointment for September 10th, and he'll know more about two weeks after that.
I have also been blessed with hope lately. On August 25th I found out that a teaching position opened up last minute at a school where I have some significant connections. Once the position was officially posted online I submitted my application. I spoke with someone there and he said the principal was interested in having me start the year as a sub until they officially hire someone to take the position. Then a couple days later the secretary from the school called to see if I could come in for the department meetings. Although it's not official, I feel strongly that I will be offered the position. I'm excited and nervous, and have a lot of planning to do. But I feel supported there. It's time to show them what I'm made of. I will have two freshman classes and two sophomore classes (English). The position would be for this year, and might not be renewed next year. I'm happy for the opportunity to get experience and add to my resume. It might make job searching smoother next year.
Stay tuned for more big announcements!
I'll be sure to keep everyone updated as news comes in.
I'll be sure to keep everyone updated as news comes in.
Since Nathan graduated we have been planning...
Planning a trip to Italy to visit Christie, Chris and Teddy.
Planning how to save for the future
But the domestic dabblings didn't stop there. I had also acquired some rhubarb (the redheaded stepchild of the fruit world), so I decided to give strawberry rhubarb pie a try. I pulled out a family cook book for Grandma Joany's crust recipe, and I conferred with Allrecipes.com for the filling. I put the sous-chef to work chopping the fruit while I went to work on the crust. This was my first attempt at a pie on my own, and it was, as Sarah W. pointed out, an ambitious task. The first attempt to roll out the crust failed. The second attempt improved a little, but required some patch work. I was feeling discouraged but Nathan assured me it would be delicious. As it started to cook and aroma filled the house I began to relax. Plus I remembered that I bought vanilla ice cream to go with, so even if it sucked everything would be ok. 
