December 24, 2008
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Christmas ?!
Twas the day before Christmas and.....
Okay, no way am I going to even attempt a rhyming post. Isn't enough that I am posting after 5 months of inactivity? Ahhh, where to begin? Let's talk about what's going on, shall we?
Well....about two weeks before Thanksgiving, Ron (my hubby) saw the writing on the wall and took a voluntary buyout of his contract at work. This is a fancy way of saying that he got laid off. He got a good severance package that will pay him through March, and actually has a job offer from the Federal Government pending a security clearance that has been in process....IF the security clearance comes through. IF.
So, since he was laid off and I had vacation, we took off for a delightful week with his family in Michigan over Thanksgiving. We had a blast. Very relaxing and nice which was good because....
The day I got back.... I got laid off. Two weeks notice. No severance. I have subsequently been able to negotiate some part time work from my company, however, it is at a greatly reduced rate....but it is better than unemployment.
So we have been looking for jobs. To say this is a bad time to look is an understatement. The economy is bad. The time of year is bad. Everything.
Then....yesterday....my Mom had heart bypass surgery after doctors discovered a 99% blocked artery.... It went very well, and she is doing very well.
So. That's my story. Tonight is the Christmas Eve program at the church. We will be running to the hospital, then back to the church to sing.
I hope that somehow I can feel and remember the true meaning of Christmas this year, and not get lost in the running back and forth to the hospital, the presents that we couldnt buy because we didn't have jobs, and just the stress of not knowing what tomorrow holds. I just pray that God will somehow break in through all of the craziness and hold us in His arms and remind us of His gift. I know that it will happen when we least expect it....
Hallelujah the King is here
Given for all men
For today the Holy Son of God
is Born in Bethlehempeace....
Comments (3)
Thanks for writing to me, Pam. I was missing you yesterday, missing your xanga posts--the note was a nice surprise!. I'm ashamed to admit that I missed your latest posts--the photos are great! I'm thinking we might need to make a trip up north to that zoo sometime.
Wow. These are tough times, and I'm so sorry to hear about your job and Ron's. One thing I've been learning these past few years--and the lesson is really hitting home now--is that God is God during the worst times. Faith is trusting Him even when it looks like He doesn't hear my prayers, has broken His promises and dropped the ball. I'm really bad at this. I always try to take charge and do His job, which has pretty dreadful consequences. I have managed to humiliate myself and others this year by not trusting Him. But humility is good--I need more of it. All this to say, I know He will provide for you and Ron, and I'm thinking this trial will become a blessing in the long run. Not always in the ways we hope or expect, but still a blessing.
We've had some rough times lately too--nothing I can write on here, but maybe I'll send you an email or Facebook message sometime. There is nothing like a test to reveal that God is a "very present help in trouble." And shared pain is bringing our family closer again, which is a great blessing.
Love you, my friend. You're never far from my thoughts.
Laid off?!?!?!/ Phew - We thought you were captured by terrorists.
Hi Pam, long time eh?!!
I'm so sorry to hear about both of you losing your jobs. That just sinks!!! Hopefully Ron's job comes through soon and you find something that puts you in a better place than you were before. Try to keep your chin up and push Ron's chin up while your at it. For better for worse, for richer for poorer....repeat
Luckily, the doctor was able to help your mother with the blockage before a blood clot found its way there! I hope your mom's recovery is quick and smooth.
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