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Friday, February 22, 2008

God is ALWAYS on time!

Tuesday morning, Brillo Man kissed me goodbye and walked out the door - on his way to meet someone to transfer the boat title (This gentleman bought a boat from us several months ago --finally getting around to transferring the title...but, I digress...)

...a few minutes after he left, I hear some commotion and scratching near the front door...and then in hobbles Brillo Man. He had walked halfway up the driveway to get into his truck - slipped on some ice - his bad hip let go and down he went. He announced --through much pain and tears, "Deb, I think I broke my leg!"

He had CRAWLED from the truck back to the house through the snow - Our driveway is 1/10 mile long - he was halfway to the road - you do the math. I just started to cry ---and pray. I only got out a few words in English --and then The Holy Spirit took over and I just prayed in my prayer language --I had no words left!

We made our way to the hospital and spent the majority of the day in the Emergency Room, after which the ER doctor said that the radiologist said that his ankle isn't broken --but that he disagreed. (Mind you, this is the same radiology dept. that said his toe wasn't broken two years ago --and after seeing another doctor - our suspicions were confirmed - broken toe!) The amount of swelling and pain in his ankle was clearly indicative of a break! Therefore, the ER doctor sent him home with a splint, a pair of crutches, a script for pain medication and a diagnosis of a fractured ankle - with clear instructions to follow up with his Ortho. doctor.

When we arrived home - Brillo Man, at this point, very discouraged, because now he can't even Scrap --which, as some of you know - is how we were attempting to keep our heads above water in this financial housing crisis. (For those who don't know - Brillo Man is a mortgage broker. Housing crisis = No mortgages = no paycheck for Brillo Man = no way for us to pay our bills = complete reliance on the Lord.) Ah --the best place to be!

Just one hour after we returned home, I answered the telephone...
"Deborah, this is Melissa at Human Resources at UPMC Horizon. I would like to offer you a position as a Medical Technologist - contingient on whether or not you pass your physical and your background check."

"Melissa, I would be VERY HAPPY to accept!"

God is always on time! Never late! Always provides! And always worthy of my highest praise!

...looks like I'm going to be out shopping for Hunter Green scrubs!

Today I went for my physical --what an experience THAT was! ...more on that in a future post!

Thanks to all of you who were praying with me regarding this job!

...Lord You are....
(sing along with me...)

My Strength
My Shield
My Portion, Deliverer
My Fortress, Strong Tower
A very present help in time of need!

and P.S. - they offered me more money than I requested on my application!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

From Glory to Glory



My blog buddy, Arlene, went Home today to live with our Lord forever.

Olivia said that her house must've been ready because Jesus called her Home to Heaven. Then she asked me if she would have a room full of orange flowers in her house. No, Olivia...not just one room...but entire fields!

Then we sang together,

"I've got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun
I've got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun
I've got a home in Gloryland that outshines the sun
Look away beyond the blue..."


I press on toward the goal
to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Win-de-jizer

....on our way to church this morning - this was the scene out the front windshield of our van:


Total whiteout conditions. Good thing I knew the road - as I gaged the side from the shadowy images of an occaisional passing mailbox....

What in the world are we doing out in this?! -7 windchill - snow flying and blowing with such ferocity that we couldn't see ten feet in front of the van...It took me 40 minutes to drive six miles.

"Mommy, there's a win-de-jizer."
"What?! is a windejizer?"
"It's a windejizer."
"Olivia, 'windejizer' isn't a word - I have no idea what you're saying."
"IT IS TO A WORD!!! MRS. REDFOOT SAID IT'S A WINDEJIZER!!"
....oh...A WIND ADVISORY...

Let me tell you ---it was SO worth it when we arrived at church.

Worship was INCREDIBLE! The best worship service I have attended in the past four years. I'm not kidding. God is good. He rewards those who diligently seek Him - especially when seeking through a blinding blizzard!


...they who seek the LORD will praise him...
-Psalm 22:26

Monday, February 04, 2008

To market to market....

All things work together for good....

...a very important doctor's appointment for Brillo Man was cancelled today by his physician who was called in to an emergency surgery. What to do now?

Ah ha! A local drug store recently built a new store and moved from their old location. Brillo Man had spoken to the workers at the old store and they offered to give him some scrap....which turns into cash! yahoo!

...so....let's go get the scrap...



On the way home, we began to hear this horrendous ROAR which sounded like a jet plane taking off. It was the wind blowing through the scrap metal. All the way home, we listened to the "revving" of the jet engine.

Brillo Man laughed and said, "This reminds me of the time when I was a kid...I took the back seat out of my car and hauled pigs."

I'm not sure what the jet sound had to do with the pigs....perhaps the pigs squealed louder when the car accelerated?!...and why am I not surprised that Brillo Man would carry PIGS in the back seat of his CAR?!

Indeed...we had a good laugh!


And the pig...is unclean for you.
-Leviticus 11:7

Friday, February 01, 2008

Emerald Green Scrubs

Okay.

Here's what's been happening in my life...

I decided to get a job. I went to the hospital and checked the job postings. No openings for Medical Technologists. (That's what I am - or was - before I became a stay-at-home-Mom).

Fast forward three days. Newspaper add: Daffin's Candy is looking for part time, temporary Valentine's Day and Easter help. I can do that. Hop in the shower --as I'm drying my hair, I'm thinking...minimum wage job...don't know how much that's going to help pay the mortgage. Drying my hair - prayed..."Lord, I need some direction here." He spoke - "Call Human Resources at the hospital." "But I've already checked the job postings - there are no openings." "Call Human Resources at the hospital." "Okay ---I'll call."

Of course, they had an opening - but not for a Med. Tech. but for a Medical Laboratory Technician - a pay grade lower. I would be over-qualified - IF they would even accept my application.

Went online - applied for the position. Wrote a letter to the Laboratory Manager expressing my interest in the job. Didn't hear anything for a week. Assumed the worst.

Spent some time in prayer...praying with Brillo Man...together asking the Lord for wisdom as to what to do....do we try to remain in our home or move to something else? If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times..."I'm going to die in this house." I hate moving. I love my home. Finally, I came to the realization that I keep giving the entire situation to the Lord --and then keep taking it back. (I know that none of you ever do that...) As I was praying...I cried out to the Lord saying that I guess I am dying in this house...dying to myself...reliquishing all the control to the One who knows best. If we are to move. So be it. If we are to stay. So be it. It's in His hands.

Looking at our bills - it seems in impossibility to remain here. ....One hour after praying and 'dying to myself' - the phone rang. The Lab Manager wants to interview me for the position. God is good.

The interview was this morning. I'm fairly sure I'll be offered the position. I nailed the interview. Again - God is good.

The manager said that the only reason they advertised for an MLT was because the MTs are few and far between and they never receive a response for an MT...but he is willing to hire me as an MT. He's checking my references.

I've been studying like crazy. Trying to cram all the facts that I've forgotten over the years into my overwhelmed brain...

Anyone familiar with a metamyelocyte? I can tell you all about it....

Oh...and I'll be wearing Emerald Green scrubs. One of my favorite colors.

I'll keep you posted.....

...believing that God led me to this point and will give me the strength and physical stamina to overcome my MS so I may earn some money...to try and keep our house...

He is able.
He is able to do exceedingly.
He is able to do exceedingly abundantly.
He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above.
He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all.
He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or EVEN think!

God is good.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you.
You will seek me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart.
I will be found by you," declares the LORD...
-Jeremiah 29:11-14a