Our Quiverfull - Lost and found

May. 2, 2008

Lost and found

Lost is a funny word. Its meaning depends entirely one's perspective. For every lost, there is a found. If someone has lost a game, it means by default that someone else has found victory. If a loved one dies, we say we have lost them - but they aren't really lost. They know exactly where they are, and what they have found.

Today my husband lost his job. He walked into his workplace of 13+ years and was told that his position had been eliminated and that his services were no longer required. He was given four weeks of pay and four weeks of health insurance. He emptied out his office then surprised me by walking into our house at 8:30 in the morning with a smile on his face. I couldn't imagine what would bring him home smiling at that hour and I was so surprised that I literally thought I was dreaming when he told me what had happened.

We talked for a few minutes, then we called the older children in and explained to all of them that we had been given an amazing opportunity to see God working and providing. You see, I was shocked, but God was neither surprised nor dismayed. This is, for whatever reason, a needful step on the path He has planned for us. It isn't a step that we would ever choose, but that is the beauty of having a loving God in charge of our lives - He is capable of directing us into the places that we need but do not want.

On the face of things, this looks decidedly strange. Jeff has been a faithful and excellent employee who has had consistently outstanding evaluations. He was a one-man training department who developed and wrote many of the programs being used at his workplace. Training and safety are an integral part of the foundry business, so it would seem that Jeff had a "bullet proof" job . . . but God saw the need to stir the nest and move us forward in some new, unknown direction today.

We don't honestly know what the next step will be. Our Hands and Hearts business is by no means capable of supporting our family, and it wouldn't seem that his four weeks of severance pay would give us enough time to build it to the point that Jeff could stay home full time. He is passing out his resume, but this is a small town and times are hard in this area. Just as we have said before in reference to Noah, we don't know what is going on, but we do know the One Who does know.

We need a lot of prayer right now. It's pretty obvious that we need prayer for God's provision and leading. I'd also appreciate prayer that my eyes would stay fixed on God right now and that I would be able to walk in faith through this. Noah is definitely my Achilles’ heel here. One of the first things that crossed my mind is that it takes $1,000 a day to keep my baby alive. I need to remember that my Father owns the cattle on 1,000 hills and this is NOT too big for Him. I'm struggling with a little grief as well. Jeff and I have long desired to move to a home with some land. We've been looking at our "dream home" the past few weeks and Jeff actually met with the owners last night to start negotiating a price. We were hoping to sign a contract in the next few days. I had to call them today and let them know that we are no longer in a position to obtain a mortgage. It all seemed so perfect. All the same, I do know that if God wants us to have that house, it will be waiting for us when we are able to buy it.

Noah also needs some extra prayer. He had a negative C. Diff culture, but I felt in my heart that it was a false negative. I asked the doctor to repeat the test, and this morning about two minutes after Jeff broke his news we got a call saying that Noah's test had come back positive. Our pharmacy has called every drug store in town and no one can obtain the necessary new drug. It's been ordered but Noah won't have it until next week. He has been feeling worse and worse. It's subtle and gradual, but he just seems to be less interested in his surroundings. He is also sometimes clearly in a lot of pain. There are times when he is wide open and busy and hilarious, but more and more often he just wants to sit with his head on someone's shoulder. He still asks for food, but he feeds it to everyone else. It's like he wants it but can't bring himself to eat it.

Sarah is on the couch tonight burning up with fever. I've given her the last bit of Tylenol in the house and need to go purchase some Motrin in the hopes that it will help. Please also pray for her and that Noah will not catch whatever has her so suddenly sick.

Thank you all so much for your love and your prayers. We look forward to sharing with you as God provides and is glorified through all of these needs!

Blessings,
Kate

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May. 2, 2008 - Praying!

Posted by Anonymous

Kate,

After a rotten day at our house, this email came through. I was feeling sorry for myself. God always has a way to put things in perspective. Now I will spend my energy praying for your family.

Read and re-read Jeremiah 29:11.

Blessings, prayers, hugs.
~Susannah and family in Asheville, NC