"He will not let your foot slip"

Prayer Request:

Matt and I are really struggling with making a decision about what I need to do work-wise.
We (I) are (is--i mean am!) feeling totally stuck with what to do!

A few of you know that about a week ago I got offered a job doing tutoring for a company and have been doing training this week for that. About 8 hours so far. I will work with students tomorrow night for about 2 hours to round out my training, and then I have been put on the paying/working schedule for next week, and I have 13 1/2 hours. It is evening hours and then Sat. morning. I really enjoyed it so far and think it will be something I'll enjoy and also be good at.

Problem is, last night when we started actually talking about possible scheduling and how much money that will actually be, we (he) realized how much extra stress that will add, since he will be going in earlier to work and then having Noah basically all by himself 3 or 4 nights a week, till 8 or 8:30pm. So WE will hardly see each other, Noah will get passed back and forth, we will still need to get a babysitter for an hour or so until Matt gets done if I work the earliest shift, and it's still only a part time job and won't average more than 12-15 hours. So I will still need to try to do some substituting or something else, somehow.

I have continued to be looking everyday for job openings, in VARIOUS areas but I'm really only qualified and skilled in education. If I DO find and even get offered a full time job that is do-able, I will also have to find full time day care for Noah, which is maybe even more difficult at this time fo the year...I also spent a good amount of time calling all the church daycares in the area...no openings or leads yet. I will work on my substituting application tomorrow, during Mother's Day Out, as well as taking in both cars to get titled and registered at the big tax office...something tells me I won't get all that done in 5 hours.

I know some of you have been in this place, lately or even currently, so I'm not trying to complain since I know everyone is going thru financial issues these days. It's just hard to know what to do--and then once you decide what to do, knowing who to call and where to look....

So anyway, we just need wisdom and guidance and peace about what we should do. Specific situations: 1)I NEED to work, and soon, but need more hours/money than this job offers, but I've just started it, like it, and 2) don't want to just QUIT, either. It could be a great summer opportunity or in the future. I need to find something that pays better (more hours) but is still flexible enough to figure out care for Noah. And 3)I need to find someplace good for Noah to spend his M-W-Fdays. And 4)Matt needs to have some really productive days to catch up from all this moving/car issues that has got him feeling like he's barely treading above the water of responsibilities at church. He does a good job but he just never has time to work ahead, just trying to meet current deadlines. (Don't we all!)

The verses I've been learning this past 2 weeks have really kept my mind focused on the hope that we have in God, but it's just hard to know what paths to walk and when the doors are going to open! We need some doors to open, and possibly some windows too! Anyways, here they are, from my memory!

Psalm 121:1-8 "I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you does not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The LORD will watch over you. The LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forever more."

***Just a P.S., the day I started the verses above, it was really cold here and when Noah and I took Peyton out in the morning to go potty, we walked down this little hill behind our apt, me holding Noah and the leash for the dog and keys, us all bundled up in jackets and slippers, and I SOOOO slipped and fell flat on my butt/back, still holding Noah but everything else flying. It was totally ungraceful, and sad that it happened so early and no one else got to see it! Noah was so confused about what had happened! Then, about an hour later, I came upon these verses in my Bible Study, ie. "he will not let your foot slip" and they were suggested as the memory verses. Hmmmm... Very funny, God. Okay, I'll memorize them!

And then the one I started for this next 2 weeks is good right now too: "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Hope those speak to you today, and thanks for the prayers. Let me know how I can pray for you, too! Leave me a comment or text!

Gotta get my next B.Moore fix!

Have I ever mentioned on this blog how much I love Beth Moore?

I have just discovered this wonderful woman of God this last year thru a friend and the ladies' Bible Study at her church. Previous to that I had only read a book of hers that I picked up at the non-Christian book store, because I needed something to read and the title caught my attention. I told someone this last week as we were talking--I don't know where she (BM--yes, funny initials!) has been the last 10 years of my life or why I had never been introduced to her ministry. I feel like someone mean has been keeping a really good secret from me!

Well, I just have to say that if there are any ladies out there reading this who have not ever gotten involved in a Bible Study written by Beth Moore, you REALLY NEED TO. She has such a strong annointing from God and gives Scripture such a fresh look that she will show you how God's Word will literally change your life. I have been challenged in so many ways thru her teaching, her Bible Studies, and now, of all places, her blog! That's where I just came from and was just inspired to write a little ditty to point you in that direction if you hang out in the blog world. Here's the regular address for her site: www.livingproofministries.blogspot.com and here's a link or two to a few postings as of late that have really blessed me: The first one is to the 2009 Memory Verse Challenge, which I've joined and maybe you will too. http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/12/anybody-game.html The second is to one from Thanksgiving time. Just examples peoples. http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2008/11/grateful-heart.html
If you spend any time on the internet at all, as I see you do, it is really WORTH your time!
She has been such an encouraging word to me, and what I love about her so much is that she so often and so freely gives glory and praise to God for all that she does and all that is done thru her and her ministry. She is so geniune, so real, and so funny!

So last thought: as you know, we moved to Houston nearly a month ago, and those of you who know Beth Moore know she is FROM Houston....but many may not know that on TUESDAYS Beth Moore does a Bible Study here at her church for ladies from all over the city and all denominations and un-denominations possible. And when I found out we were moving here, naturally, I was SOOOO excited for the chance I could go on Tuesdays! I missed the first week due to a youth staff meeting, but last week I got to go with my mom, and it was GREAT. And Today is Tuesday.... And I'm not going...because Matt has a lot to do at work and he really needs to get some work time in...and so my plan is to go next week for a double dose---the video from THIS week will replay at 5:00, and then the current evening starts at 6:30p...but the thing is, I know it's Tuesday, and I know that while I'll be here at home cooking dinner for my boys and hanging out with them, there will be some 5000 woman across town singing and worshipping and studying God's Word together, and well, I just wish I could be there too!

So as I sit home and sulk, I just wanted to give Beth Moore a shout out and encourage YOU to be encouraged by her as well. And I want to say Thank You to God, my Father, for bringing me/us to Houston and for blessing us all with a woman like Beth who shows us how to seek after God's own heart so geniunely and earnestly. She is an example for me like I've never had before.

And as she ended her last post,
I LOVE ya'll today! Be Blessed!