Maybe, no Definitely

Our days and nights have been filled with worries about making the budget work, our dwindling savings, and how we just need me to find a job and it will all be alright.

Almost as if we forgot we watched Him provide for two years in Guatemala.

This weekend, on our way back from Holland (visiting Jordan's family), we listened to Jim Samra/Calvary's sermon from the 4th of July. At the beginning of our trip home, we talked about my job search and one potential upcoming position and our almost lack of faith.

Long story short, his sermon was about prayer and the importance of prayer. The sermon struck so close to home... it was time to get on our knees and fast.

Let me tell you, we've been prayin. And we're not sure if this job is going to work out and we don't think that praying will force it to work out, but we know He's listening.

Jordan's mom called me today to let me know they were praying for us, an hour later, the company I am interviewing at called for a list of references... a little sign that I'm moving through the process. I sent a little prayer above and within an hour, Karen (my boss/co-worker) at Franklin Property texted to say that she just spoke with the company as a reference. Prayer works.

Will you join us in prayer for a job, but more importantly, our trust?

Maybe that's what this whole experience is all about... trust. Wait, it's not a maybe, it's a definitely.

... ... ...

 Why is it so hard to trust God's provision here, why was it so much easier in Guatemala?

DIY Martha Stewart Paper Doily Place Cards

This is a totally random post, I know....

When you're unemployed and your employment is finding a job, you run out of the usual websites to check for new postings in about 3 hours. I'm trying to fill my days with things that are productive instead of watching 250+ channels of Comcast all day. Although, I am loving the Exercise On Demand one... I wish there was an Employment On Demand: Gain 5 Employers in 2 Weeks!!

This utter, absolutely crippling boredom brings me to our blog. As you can see (or already saw), last week... it got a new look, this week the post is going in a completely new direction (something I've been meaning to do forever). I'm putting down the instructions on how we made our place cards for the wedding. They are paper doilies, folded into envelopes, that stood up on the upper flap. Inside is the table number, on the outside was the name of the guest. Is it complicated? Yes. Did |Martha Stewart| neglect to say that on her website? Yes. Does Martha Stewart provide instructions? No... no, she does not. Was it worth it? Judge for yourself, these are mine at our wedding!

Supplies needed:
White cardstock
Doilies (5" square)
Exacto Knife
Boning Tool and Board
Extra Strength Glue Stick
Cutting board/scissors
Cutting mat

 

Step 1: Order Doilies

You cannot use just any doilies for this look. They have to have the |exact| same pattern as the ones that I used. They can be different colors, but have to be the same pattern, as you need to cut along the circles in the middle. (Click "exact" above to go to a website that carries them in white for a reasonable price.) Also, I could not find them in stores, I looked everywhere and the only place to get them (in packages alone) is online. Maybe you guys will have better luck! Purchase more than you are planning to need, they are very delicate and tear easily.

Step 2: Create Number and Name Pieces

You will need to create a document on the computer with the names or cut the rectangles and have them done by a calligraphist (as Martha did). I used Pages on my mac and took the document to Office Depot (best printing jobs for price), I am not sure how MSWord would do at the document, but you could try it. Feel free to play with the following dimensions, my brain is a little rusty and I cannot find those documents:

Each table number card: 2.5" x 1.5"
Each name card: 2" x 1"

Step 3: Cut out Number and Name Pieces 

After obtaining the documents, go ahead and cut the document up to the sizes stated above to make all of the Table Numbers and Name Cards. Match the name cards to the table numbers and set aside. Feel free to trim the Table Numbers by making the long side shorter, they are hard to get in and out of the "doily envelope."

Step 4: Make Doily Envelopes

Step 4a: Bone Doilies

Using your boning tool and board, you are going to fold the doily in four places. Make sure to keep at least 3 doilies in the stack to fold, otherwise, they will rip. You are trying to create a rectangle shape in the middle of the doily. Each fold runs perpendicular to the the point of each corner. I can't tell you where the folds go, use your table number cards and look at your boning board as each one is different. You'll need to place the doily in the boning board at a diagonal, so that you are looking at a diamond instead of a square. Using your tools, bone the doily on four sides: you will have two long sides that are parallel to each other and two short sides that are parallel to each other. Do not actually fold the doily until you've done the next step.

Step 4b: Cut Front Flaps

Now, you'll create "flaps" for the name card on the front. Using the cutting mat and exacto knife, find the two of the 4 little circles pointing to the center that are opposite from each other and on the long side of the folds. Cut the circles free from the rest of the doily, they should still be attached because they are the holders of the name card. (I hope that makes sense, I couldn't think of a way to describe it, but check out my picture and the picture on Martha's page above. It's one of those things you just have to see.)

Step 5: Construct a Place Card

Now that you have the flaps cut and the fold marks done, go ahead and fold the doily. Glue three of the four points together, leaving an "envelope-like flap" open at the top. Slide in the table number (be very careful, ripping occurs often here and you may need to trim some of the table numbers down so that go in and out smoothly.) Shimmy the person's name into the circle flaps that you cut on the front and fold the top envelope flap down to make it stand by itself. 

And you're done... with one. Hooray! If you have any questions, let me know.

Next time, I do a "How-To" blog, I'll be sure to picture document the steps. And if you like the doily look, check out these |envelopes| for your invitations. Man, I wish I knew about these! On the other hand, my labor - husband, Jordan; sister-in-law, Katie; and cousin, Joanna - probably do not.

Count Your Blessings...

Our warmest greetings to all of you who have been faithfully and continually praying our way through these last two months. It has been a fury of up and down moments but we must praise God who is good. I (Jordan) have privilege of writing this blog and am more than excited to share the good news with all. Since our newsletter to everyone there has been a series of events that we can clearly see God moving. Our first interview-trip to Chicago was the week of June 13. That was also the day I got in that "whittle" fender-bender. After that week Rachel and I spent a week with family, after which I was called back for more interviews with the companies I was interviewing with. This continued until after the Forth of July where we took our last trip after the holiday weekend. When we returned to Detroit after that trip we had no idea what to think. It was down to two positions that I really liked in the Chicago area but I had no idea if either of the firms would offer me a position. July 26th was the day we call "The Day of Decision". If there was a day all summer that we could point to and say that God out-did himself was that day. I did not receive one job offer on that day but two job offers, allowing me to fully pray and seek wisdom on which one I felt God was leading me towards and in the end He did.

So the good news is this: God has blessed our persistence and our commitment with providing me with a position at First Trust Portfolios in Wheaton. My start date is next Monday and we are overcome with excitement and fear all at the same time. Excitement because our season of "not-knowing" is coming to a close. We no longer need to hesitate to answer the basic questions "What do you do?" or "Where do you live?". Now we can say, without reservations, where we live and what we do! But, as we've come to learn throughout the last few years, the underside of excitement is normally fear, and today we are no different. For starters, we have yet to find a place to live, even with my job starting next week! If that doesn't motivate you to find an adequate place to live I don't know what will! Also, Rachel is still on the search for meaningful employment so as much as we would like to think the journey is over I think we both know, in many respects, it is only just beginning. What comes to mind is a favorite passage of mine found in 1 Samuel 7:12, "Thus far the Lord has helped us". I return to this passage in light of all we have ahead of us which, understandably, can seem daunting. This passage, however, helps focus on what God has done to get us here and asks the rhetorical question, "Would He take you this far only to leave you?". The answer of course is "no". So then, we continually thank God for bringing us this far and trust that He who has brought us here will take us safely home, especially now that we know whereabouts home will be. We love you all and God bless.