This morning is the first morning in seven years that I will work but have no paycheck. It is a very strange feeling for me.... ...
This morning is the first morning in seven years that I will work but have no paycheck.
It is a very strange feeling for me....
To wake up and not have to shower,
put work clothes on and be running
with someone else's goals in my head.
with someone else's goals in my head.
I reluctantly stepped into the world of work for money seven years ago after a seven year hiatus of working at home for no paycheck.
My girls were 11, 9 & 6 at the time.
All in school full time....
The need for me to work was immediate...
our finances were "in the toilet" due to many factors...
the biggest one a failing business....
the biggest one a failing business....
I remember my husband approaching me
one evening after he came home from work,
I was in the kitchen preparing dinner and he said
"I need you to go back to work."
He said it with great reluctance.
one evening after he came home from work,
I was in the kitchen preparing dinner and he said
"I need you to go back to work."
He said it with great reluctance.
I knew that financially we were struggling and had been for a few years, it got to the point that my husband could no longer bear the financial responsibility on his own. He was doing everything he could and now he needed my help.
I was unsure of what I could do for a job. I had been "out of commission" in the job market for quite a while. I had a degree but felt so out of touch with what was available in the employment department that it was a completely intimidating process that I had ahead of me....
As I reflect back two things come to my mind:
1. No one really knew about the desperation
of our financial situation,
we were in a valley of decision with
our home possibly going into
foreclosure
and
declaring bankruptcy
2. Yet .......God did........
See God knew our worries,
our fears,
our lack of money,
the doubts that I had about myself and my abilities or lack thereof....
He also saw my desires....
that if I had to go back to work I wanted a job that would be fulfilling and help people,
one that would keep me somewhat available for our girls.....
And he gave me one...
A job where I worked with wonderful people
that believed in helping young people
Office staff that was resourceful and caring
This group of people became not just my
co workers but my friends...
Yes, even Mr Nelsen :) he is one of the hardest working principals I know...
He arrives at the school @ 6:30am and often
I would find him in his office @ 5:30pm or later when I would be prepping to teach parenting classes that evening.
I was unsure of what I could do for a job. I had been "out of commission" in the job market for quite a while. I had a degree but felt so out of touch with what was available in the employment department that it was a completely intimidating process that I had ahead of me....
As I reflect back two things come to my mind:
1. No one really knew about the desperation
of our financial situation,
we were in a valley of decision with
our home possibly going into
foreclosure
and
declaring bankruptcy
2. Yet .......God did........
See God knew our worries,
our fears,
our lack of money,
the doubts that I had about myself and my abilities or lack thereof....
He also saw my desires....
that if I had to go back to work I wanted a job that would be fulfilling and help people,
one that would keep me somewhat available for our girls.....
And he gave me one...
A job where I worked with wonderful people
that believed in helping young people
Office staff that was resourceful and caring
This group of people became not just my
co workers but my friends...
Yes, even Mr Nelsen :) he is one of the hardest working principals I know...
He arrives at the school @ 6:30am and often
I would find him in his office @ 5:30pm or later when I would be prepping to teach parenting classes that evening.
I had the privilege to
travel to Salem
to testify before committees about the importance of the work that was being done..
To meet Oregon Senators
Travel to Portland to meet with policy makers
and twice to Washington D.C.
One trip by myself
the second trip with my husband....
I was given opportunity to further my education...
Joining a select group of individuals that were provided additional training
to become Certified Prevention Specialists.
After a year of education and 3,000 hours of training I passed my national test along with the wonderful group of people in my
"Pure Awesomeness" Class.
I got to mentor young girls that brought me joy
Inspire young people to dream,
believe in themselves,
set goals and work together
Create programs that would encourage
young people,
A journey that began out of
need
worry
fear
Turned into
provision
opportunity
joy
My experience may be unique in that this
is how God helped me....
but it is not unique in that
He wants to help you....
"God is within you, you will not fall;
God will help you at break of day."
Jennifer Dukes Lee
believe in themselves,
set goals and work together
Create programs that would encourage
young people,
A journey that began out of
need
worry
fear
Turned into
provision
opportunity
joy
My experience may be unique in that this
is how God helped me....
but it is not unique in that
He wants to help you....
"God is within you, you will not fall;
God will help you at break of day."
Psalm 46:5
Linking with #TellHisStoryJennifer Dukes Lee
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