I simply didn't have words. . .

Let me set the scene.

I was in a hospital stretcher wearing a hospital gown and my socks. I was breathing canned oxygen through my nose. I had an IV in my right hand, right next to my hospital bracelet. I had a blood pressure cuff on my left arm. I am a Patient.

My physician comes in, a woman who I have known on a strictly professional basis until this moment in time. Now, I am her Patient. This does not stop her.

She chit chats while the anesthesiologist mixes the drug coctail. We chit chat about work - the only thing we know about each other. She states that she is looking for a PA. She states that she knows I left my former employer. You know, she says thoughtfully, we would love to have you apply for our open position.

Ummm. Words failed me. I declined graciously (I hope), saying I had found a part time job. She countered with the fact that her position could be part time. Ummm. I am feeling a little naked right now (maybe because I am). I gently told her that my former employer was also having trouble filling the vacancy, that times are hard for physicians right now who are looking for good mid-levels.

When I came out of anesthesia, I laughed. She certainly did have a captive audience for a job pitch. Now that I am no longer the Patient, I can say that that opportunity was not a good one to pitch an employment opportunity.

God has answered prayers, again!

I don't know why we're surprised when God answers prayers. I think, in this case, that I am surprised at how thoroughly God answered prayers, even the ones I didn't know to pray.

I am now gainfully employed again. Whoo-hoo!!

The office I now work for is owned by 3 physicians, all brothers, who are members of the c of C. 2 elders and a deacon, actually. They have good reputation in the medical and the church communities. Of course, I checked them out. They're published authors, and they have another book coming out this summer about the Biblical views on infertility, IVF, when does life begin, etc. Check Dr. Bo out!

The clinic is about 15 miles from my house, which means I appreciate the 3 mile commute I had with my last job. It takes about 30 minutes in AM traffic, but for the most part is not too bad. It takes 15 minutes to get from my house to the highway. . . . I do miss leaving after the traffic has cleared out.

They didn't have a full time position open, so I work part time - 20 hours or so a week. I get paid a little differently than I did my last position, but it still will about even out. Meaning, I didn't take a pay cut to work 30 hours a week fewer. HA! They said eventually they may move me to a full time position, but I would have the option to turn that down and stay part time if I wanted.

J is on board with the whole PT thing, which makes it that much better.

I am trying to get half a day at a clinic closer to home so I can try to keep some of my former patients. We'll see how that goes. That clinic is in flux right now, and I'm not sure anyone is making any staffing changes to that office. I'm not sure I want this closer clinic for the purest reasons, or if it's just to say, "Neener, neener" to my former employers. I think it's the neener reason. But it is closer to my house - about 3 miles again. And I would get to take the back roads. . . but I would not be working with these (wonderful) doctors. Please be praying about that clinic.

I haven't told many about this - it seems like it's too good to be true. I guess next week I will be letting patients know where I am. Some one needs to pinch me!

Please continue to pray for my father-in-law. He has a second interview set up with his dream employer soon, and is really ready to get back to work!

Thank you all for your prayers while we were unemployed. God has been so good to us, and you have all shown us glimpses of God's love while we were hurting. Thank you so much. Please continue to pray for us!

J Christmas Present

A new job! J starts his new job January 5th at a school district here. He's really excited about working again.

God answered this prayer exactly 6 months after we started praying. June 18 through December 18 we had constant petitions and prayers lifted to heaven. God's timing is perfect, and we couldn't ask for a better environment for J.

More later, but yes, I have survived my time at the part time clinic I am working with.

A new opportunity to serve. . .

I have accepted a temporary job with a company that specializes in temp jobs for PAs. I get paid on an hourly basis, and it's really flexible so I can also take a day off to interview if I need to. I start with this company tomorrow with my first assignment. I knew it wasn't in the best neighborhood. . . .

Because of my HORRENDOUS navigational skills, we drove to the clinic today after church so I would have some clue about where I was headed tomorrow AM. Okay, so the neighborhood degenerated quickly after we exited the highway. Really quickly. I didn't take a photo of the clinic, I thought better of getting out of the car at that point. Let's just say that when I asked J where I should park in the morning, he said, "Behind the 8 foot tall chain link fence with the three rows of barbed wire above it." He said this without even thinking. Sounds good to me. This is the kind of place where I would feel more comfortable if one of the clinicians was scary and mean looking. Or packing heat.

So, on the way home, I started praying about this job. I have committed to three shifts at this particular clinic. It came to me that God puts us where He needs us to be, and where our talents are needed. I can serve here. I can serve this population with the heart of Jesus. I can treat them with kindness, gentleness, respect. I can heal their physical ailments. I can also touch their soul.

I pray that this week you also find someone, somewhere you can serve. It may be at home. It may be at school or work. Please allow God to touch your eyes and your heart to stir you to good works. We are put here to touch others. And it may be at that very moment that God touches us.

We hope to have permanent job news for both of us at the beginning of this week. Please be praying about those opportunities.