The Decision....

We are EXCITED to share what God has been doing in our lives, while trying to figure out this job situation.

We were praying God would provide a different job for Ben because the insurance gig wasn't going very well. God provided one! Ben went in for an interview last week Monday, and got a call back on Wednesday offering him the job. Crazy how fast God works!
However, before we got the call back, we decided to fast and pray about this decision. It would put our family through A LOT if Ben took a 2nd shift job because we wouldn't get a chance to be a family. We wouldn't see each other or be able to see Emma at the same time either. Very hard to even imagine life like that. After much deliberation, we chose our family over money. To many this may seem foolish, but we really feel like God can turn the insurance job around. He's the ONLY ONE who can. We're trusting and praying that this is the case because He knows our needs and desires.
We both had some sin issues that we feel God needed to work on before He can provide in the way that we need. We needed to throw aside our pride and pray together as a couple. For me (Jess), money has always seemed like the answer to money problems, but it's really Trust in God; who gives and takes away. I'm coming to the realization that without God is my life, nothing else matters. He needs to be my Number 1!

James 1:22
"But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
This verse always brought to mind actions, going into the world and being different for Christ. God has used this verse in a new and refreshing way as I reread it. Not only does it mean action, but also attitude. How many times does it say in God's Word to Trust Him! Too many to count! How many times are we given a command to pray! A LOT! Well, these are two areas I'm not very good in. When you know you need to pray, PRAY! Don't just be hearers of these commands, but doers! When God tells you to trust, TRUST!

I hope you are blessed by what God is doing in our lives!

Indecisive.....

Ben's interview went really well today! What a blessing! Then his current boss threw a curve ball at us. He's willing to work w/ Ben for the next 2 weeks, setting up appointments, giving it a final push. Honestly, it would be great if his current job would suddenly by the grace of God start providing the way we need it. That would be a HUGE answer to prayer! Any job now a days is a blessing! It would just be harder if Ben got the job he interviewed for today. It's 2 nd shift, so as soon as I get home, he leaves. We wouldn't be spending time as a family anymore. Ben would be gone most weekends because the band is signing a management contract. As I thought about the times we get to play our little girl together and how that would be pretty non-existent, it makes me sad. We don't want to raise our daughter separately.
Ultimately God knows what's best for our family and what we can handle. Please continue to pray for us!

Interview

Ben has an interview tomorrow morning at 8 am w/ a local school district. We're praying he gets hired on the spot, or at least a call back saying they'd like to hire him. It's for a second shift position, so it would turn our world upside down a bit. We're praying it's the right thing for our family, as well as what God has in store for the band. I'll let you know what happens....

Let this be our prayer all the time!

"Lord, I praise You for You know the whole story. From beginning to end, You see it all. Give me the humility to admit my limitations. For I don't always see the past accurately, my vision of the present is often blurred, and I am blind when it come to the future. Help me fasten my eyes on You, trusting in Your vision for my life and in Your watchful care."

Requesting Prayer.....

Our family is need of prayer. Ben's job is not working out the way we hoped it would, so he's in search of a new one. We need a very quick transition, so we can make ends meet. We don't know why doors seem to keep closing, but they do. God is definitely trying to teach and grow us through these difficult times. Are we tired and exhausted? Yes! Trying not to take it out on each other or Emma? Yes! Failing miserably at times. We need strength for the day to day right now.
The job Ben is currently looking at would be 2nd shift, which means I come home from work and he leaves. We wouldn't really spend much time together because weekends would be traveling w/ the band.
We are definitely not excited about this possibility! It's a sacrifice we are willing to make though to avoid putting Emma in full-time childcare, which we can't afford anyway. There don't seem to be many options.

We need you prayers! Please pray w/ us to God who always provides, even when it's not the way we thought. Pray for our marriage! Pray that we would continue to be great parents to Emma, and not take frustrations out on here. Please pray!

We know it will work out; it's just scary not knowing how some times.

Emma's Funny Comment....

So this morning I was changing Emma's diaper. Her stomach growled. Usually if she hears some thing that resembles a toot, she'll say toot. Well, I corrected her and told her it was her stomach. So of course what made sense to her was to call it a "tummy toot". She cracks me up!

Emma's Guests

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it down to celebrate! We love you so much and it wouldn't have been the same w/out you! To those who weren't able to come, we missed you! Hope to see you soon!

Our Little Girl turns TWO!

Our little girl turned TWO! So crazy for us! I (jess) was looking back at pictures the other day and got teary eyed just thinking about how fast she's growing up. She continues to stretch us as parents, but more than anything, she adds so much joy to our lives. We are very proud to be her parents! Even though she has shown us her "terrible two" side already, she's one of the happiest little girls we know. We give thanks to God every day for our little "surprise"!

Birthday Pancake! (2)

We got Emma a cute little kitchen set and chef's outfit for her B-Day!

Taking a rest after the long drive

Emma loves giving pedicures

Princess of the Under Sea Party!

sooo refreshing!

Playing in the pool w/ Anahi!

Time for Presents!

Dorothy shoes!

The Cake!