joining the ranks

So, lately I've found myself ranting and raving a little bit over all those people who can't afford their mortgages but get to stay in their homes anyway. I mean, how fair is that? If they couldn't afford the mortgage, they shouldn't have bought the home in the first place right? Foreclosure is a natural consequence to a bad financial decision, right? Well, its amazing how, in one week's time, a person can go from ranting and raving at them to becoming one of them. Its a good reminder how important it can be to "walk a mile in another man's shoes" before condemning him.

On Caleb's second day back at work after returning from Liberia he was informed that all three employees in his division, the internet division, were going to be having their hours, and their pay, cut in half. Effective April 1 (that's tomorrow, by the way). There just isn't enough work to fill the hours, and therefore not enough revenue to pay employees. Caleb's boss is just sick over having to make the decision, as all three men in that division have worked faithfully and loyally for him for a long time. But sometimes, things just are what they are.

Needless to say, last week became an unexpectedly emotional one. I don't handle surprises well (and I'm full of pregnancy hormones, which don't help in emotional situations), so it took me a few days to get my feet back on the ground and start making plans for the future instead of feeling hopeless and helpless. By the end of the week Caleb and I were both feeling better, having made a decision to choose faith over fear in the situation. And this week, I'm even finding myself kind of excited to see what God does with it. We're hoping for something extraordinary, beyond anything we can think or imagine. In fact, at this point, I'm going to be disappointed if something amazing doesn't happen. In the meantime Caleb is working madly on getting his resume and website finished and up to date. He's hoping to have it ready by the end of this week. Then, of course, he has to find places to send it.

Please be praying for Caleb, as the world kind of rests on his shoulders right now. In another 2 months my own salary will be cut in half as I go on maternity leave, and then return to work part time in August. We're really praying that by then everything has righted itself ... but again, a lot is sitting on Caleb's shoulders to make sure things get righted. Please pray for him with me, that he would remain strong and hopeful and tenacious while searching for work in this not-so-friendly economy. Pray also that he would not be overcome by the stress of searching for work and providing for me and Josephine. I want him to be able to put the job searching stress aside and fully enjoy the next two months as well, as we welcome our first child into the world.

And please pray for both of us, that we would find creative ways to cut costs and make ends meet. We've already had one big answer to prayer in that Caleb's boss gave him a nice bonus at the end of March that should help float us through for a couple months. We want to keep looking at the current situation as a great opportunity to trust God with the unknown, an opportunity to rest in the assurance of his love and plan for us, and to see God do some amazing things despite seemingly great odds.

Phil. 4:6-7 6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Eph. 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."