"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!"

Sad to say, those were the thoughts screaming through my head last weekend.  Yes, Connie the Courageous was wearing down.  But, do you know what?  God is very much aware of our limits.  He knows just how much we can handle.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."  (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I'm also reminded of the saying, "Things tend to get worse before they get better".  By Sunday afternoon, I had hit my "worse".  Something had to give, and I was hoping for the "better"... and soon.

That's when we got THE CALL.

Sunday night, a man from an investment company that Norman had learned about at a job fair up in Des Moines called and said that HR would like to set up an interview with him sometime this week.  Norman had checked into this company (which is 1/2 hour away) and liked what he saw, so this was pretty exciting news!  In fact, this was just what we had been waiting for!  This was just what we needed to dissipate the dark clouds that were hovering overhead.  We were starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  This simple little phone call had given us HOPE!!!

Of course, this didn't mean that Norman was guaranteed a job there, but when he went back to his "favorite pastime" (ha!) of sending out resumes on Monday, it was with a lighter heart. 

He got another call on Tuesday morning.  This time, though, it was from a small office supply store here in town.  Norman had already had an interview with them Saturday morning and had come back very disappointed because they didn't have much to offer as far as income and career advancement.  At this point, we hated to be picky, but we are a one-income family and the amount that they quoted would just not be sufficient to meet our needs.  Anyway, they wanted to meet with Norman again this Friday morning and see what they could work out, so he agreed to meet with them at 10:00.

Not wanting to lose the opportunity to work for the investment company, however, Norman quickly emailed them and told them about the office supply company wanting to hire him.  He also expressed his desire to work for the investment company instead and mentioned how his talents/skills could benefit their company.  He then begged politely asked that they set up an interview with him.

Not long after he sent the email, the boys and I began our homeschooling for the day.  I was praying with them and had just said, "Please help Norman to find a job soon..." when the phone rang.  It was the investment company calling to set up an interview for the very next morning!  Yippee!!!  Our oldest son laughed and said, "Wow!  That was a fast answer to prayer!"  J

Wednesday morning, Norman went over to the investment company for the interview.  It went very well!  He spoke to different ones and was given a short tour of the place.  Oh yeah, did I mention that he knows someone there who used to work with him at their previous employment and had put in a good word for him?  Connections... yay!!!  J  Anyway, they still have a couple of other interviews to do, but they said that they would let him know what they decide on Friday.

So... that's where we stand.  We’ll keep praying, but it looks like Friday might just be the day! 

(Update:  On Thursday, the local hospital called and wanted to set up an interview with Norman for a job opening there.  It is set for 11:30 on Friday also.  Things are getting a little complicated now... but in a good sort of way.  :-)

~Connie~