Since the new year, we continued to work hard and have crazy conflicting schedules that never really allowed us to have the desired household routine; go to work, come home from work, wife cooks dinner, husband of new wife smiles then says dinner is good and asks for more, lay down on the couch and watch tv together, go to bed.... (that would have been ideal)! It went more like, one of us was still sleeping while the other left for work, and then one of us came home from work while the other had already been asleep for hours :0(. NOT IDEAL FOR GROWTH IN MARRIAGE! However, many wise old timers told us to enjoy it for now.... (ugh)!
So, in the spirit of economical change, we are taking on a new pace in life starting this upcoming September! I had been praying for a while for God to reveal a way that my life could slow down. I was working over 50 hours a week and then coming home to do my own homework for my Master's and Credential (the degree that never ends) until late every night. It was killer! I was miserable and loathed my fast paced, never enough time in the day lifestyle! Needless to say, I was literally begging God to help lead the way toward a more sane lifestyle for our marriage. I have the desire to be at home more, taking care of the house. I have the desire to have the time and energy to make my husband lunch everyday for work just like my mom always did for my dad. I have the desire to look somewhat cute when my husband comes home from work and welcome him home with dinner on the table. And even though I know this is not so much of a reality for dual income households, I still have that desire. I love my husband so much and see his servant's heart and absolutely love all of the ways that he serves me and it just breaks my heart that I feel like I have not been able to fill my days with wifely duties that match my own standards of what wives can do for their families. In addition, KJ and I wanted to be able to spend more time in prayer together. We feel that this is so important for the spiritual growth in our marriage and we really have only been leaving a little prayer journal out for one another to read about the other's prayer requests. In addition, we have recently become members and Valley Baptist. It is our wonderful new church home! We have been praying for a church home and different ministries that we can give to monetarily and voluntarily.
So after months of praying God has answered my prayers.
I will now only be teaching part time at Heritage. With many changes that are taking place at the school due to the economy, one of them was that Sam and I will now be partner teaching one of the 2nd grade classes. God is good and has now allowed an entire half of a day for me to be at home! What a faithful God we serve! I am so excited for this because I really believe this is God allowing me to fulfill the desires of my heart! And even though our finances are literally chopped up by 1/3, we will make it through! It will definitely be tough, and our diligence will be tested daily, but we are still blessed to be able to stay living under our own roof! I am still praying that this will not allow for more things to come into my life that the things that are here will be less rushed and I can be more relaxed and dedicated/focused on finishing my degree (only 15 units to go) and being more of the wife that I desire to be.
KJ has also made some changes! The Lord opened doors for KJ to be a seasonal firefighter. This allowed KJ to leave Fellowship Baptist and move on from the church in order for us to find our own church together as a newly married couple. However, due to the state of California having a major budget crisis, his crew has still not been brought on and may never be brought on this season. He has been pursuing working with other crews, but in the mean time has taken a full-time job with Killian Pest Control since there are just no gaurantees right now with the fire crew. He is still with CVS and will probably stay on until our finances balance out after September. He has been so blessed to find these jobs as many people struggle daily for employment. I recently read in a news article that Bakersfield was listed as the highest unemployment rate in the nation, as well as the most impoverished city in the nation (not sure what this was all based on, but CRAZY!). So, needless to say, we are thankful for our income, no matter how little it may seem.
Thankfully we were able to meet up with a wonderful couple last night, David and Emily Rimestead. They are friends of KJ's from growing up and now my friends as well! Last night they allowed us to learn more about their upcoming ministry opportunity and have allowed us to join their support team! We believe that they are following God's calling for their lives in fulfilling the great commission! We are so thankful for the opportunity to be giving to such a great ministry. They are a wonderful team and we couldn't be happier for them!
One last tid bit...
There aren't plans for any babies yet. I know so many of you have been wondering and asking, etc. However, it is probably best that I get through my last 15 units of school and make sure that I can fulfill my teaching contract this upcoming school year. (Thanks for your concern!)
