Mar. 31, 2009 - New Developments on our Home Front
Life around here is still pretty hectic for me! My husband is still unemployed which has given us many opportunities to grow closer to the Lord. I am still working part-time which isn't terrible. They are great and work well with any schedule changes. And lately, we have had many!
At the beginning of the year, my husband was offered a job at a local company. Unfortunantly, they were going through negotiations and a hiring freeze was put into place. This was where we truly saw the Lord's hand in guiding us through this life change! Two days after he was offered the job, he was unemployed again. This would have to be his shortest career ever :).
Anyway, I'm jumping ahead of myself! Right before this job was offered to him, the company he was laid-off from informed him of an important meeting for all laid-off employees. The meeting didn't fit into our schedule and so he didn't go. He was one of only four who didn't make the meeting. He received a phone call letting him know that he was eligible for retraining or going to school because of the mass lay-off. He was given a phone number to call. By this time, he was "hired" at the other company and decided to not pursue the schooling. I remember praying for the Lord's direction in this. I was uneasy with hubby taking another unsteady job - we didn't want him to get a job and be laid-off in the near future. The Lord answers some prayers so quickly. Like I said, he was only employed for two days!
Thus, we knew where the Lord was directing us. Under the Trade Act of 1970-something, people who lose their jobs to imports or outsourcing are eligible for retraining. My husband met with the coordinator and was given a list of things he needed to do and then the waiting began. In the meantime, we researched careers that hubby would like to pursue. You see we had to do all the information gathering and such. We needed to be prepared when the final approval meeting came.
We celebrated our 10 year anniversary on February 20th and to celebrate we took a trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. There my husband mentioned that commercial divers were used to repair and mantain the Hoover Dam. The seed was planted. When we got home, WH spent hours (and hours and hours) researching this field. He received course packets from three different schools that offer commercial diving. Fortunantly, there is one in Minnesota (pretty close to home). Now, this wasn't something that we picked out of the sky. You'd have to understand my husband. He has been scuba diving for 13 years and was in the Coast Guard - he loves the water! He often wishes he could dive professionally or have a job on the water. So, when this opportunity of schooling came up we figured he might as well go for something he's always wanted to do!
We still weren't 100% sure this was where the Lord was steering us. We've spent alot of time praying and seeking wisdom from the Lord. Hubby's final meeting for approval was scheduled and we were as prepared as we were going to be. We had some concerns, though. As we live in Wisconsin, we weren't sure that the school would be approved (it's in Minnesota). Also, there is a grant cap and we weren't sure if or what that would cover. He would need specialized equiptment and gear. Also, with it being in Minnesota, he would need lodging and we weren't sure if they would pay for that.
Before the meeting, we prayed together and asked that the Lord either close the door firmly if this wasn't the way He wanted us to go or approve everything if this was His will. Well, again, we felt the Lord's direction. We went into the meeting and the lady we met started filling out forms and asking how much everything would cost and such. It took me about 10 minutes to realize she wasn't just gathering information, she was approving the course! He would be going to school and becoming a commercial diver! We came out of the meeting awed but praising the Lord!
My hubby will be leaving to start school July 12. It is an 8 week course and he will graduate on September 5th. It is a very intensive course - they work 10 hours a day for six days. We will not see him the entire 8 weeks (although, we may go visit). God has been so faithful in all of this. We have learned patience (although we are far from perfect) and a deeper trust (but have a distance to go). I just wanted to share this life change with everyone! And, share about God's faithfulness and provision!
Comments
Apr. 12, 2009 - Life Changes
Posted by gowestx4
Thanks for sharing. I love reading about peoples lives and how God works in them. Keep us updated.
marie
Apr. 24, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sahmto4orMore
Wow, that is so cool!
I am excited for him (and you) that he will get to pursue something he really loves. I pray it all works out well.
