new beginnings

If you follow this blog much at all, you know all about what's gone on with us over the past year and a half or so. In a nutshell: Caleb lost his job, we had a baby, Caleb spent 10 months on unemployment, I went back to work part-time, we lost our home, moved in with my parents, found out we were pregnant again, Caleb got a temporary contractual position which paid decently, but didn't include benefits or PTO, and we made the decision I would quit working when Ella is born ... which left us with a deadline of sorts (at least in our heads) for Caleb finding more permanent work, mostly for the sake of health insurance. I think that pretty much brings things up to the present.

Well, over the past couple weeks Caleb followed a lead on a job in Carson at a small publishing company. He sent in his resume, they called him in for an interview, he took a personality test (which confirmed he has one), had a second interview ... and then the second day on vacation, sitting in the car in the Redwoods, he got the call ... and accepted the position as Web Developer at Rose Publishing! Its a full-time, permanent position, with health benefits, a 401(k) and paid time off. His hours get him home by 4:45 instead of 7:00. His drive is shorter. His job is something he knows, and yet will also challenge him in some new ways. So far he gets along with everybody he's met. He got to pick out the computer and software he would need (talk about a kid in a candy shop!), and he's already been booked to attend a conference in New Mexico in November.

When I look back at the past year and a half, I have so much to be grateful for. In fact, our prayers these days are full mostly of gratitude. God has taken such good care of us. He provided a job for Caleb just when he thought he couldn't take it any more, and just before unemployment benefits ran out. He provided a permanent position just in time for our health benefits not to lapse between my job ending and his beginning. He's provided a great place for us to live while we get back on our feet financially. And most importantly, he has used these circumstances to draw us to himself. I have been learning great lessons in faith and trust and prayer and patience. My main prayer now is that we would not forget on what our foundation and stability rests. A good job or a nice home are not our providers. God alone is our Provider. And I don't want to lose sight of that.

So, congratulations to Caleb for a new job! The right job. At the right time. We have several months to go before we start thinking about what's next for our family, and I'll keep you updated on that. For now, we bask in God's faithfulness, lovingkindness and provision.