Job Hunting

Well, good luck to me! I'm going to apply and interview at some jobs this afternoon. Why do I always get so nervous even if I'm just picking up an application?
Part of me is scared to get a job. I don't want to start only to find out I hate it two weeks in. I've done that before and I don't want to again.
And another part of me feels like such a pansy! Haha probably the practical side of me.
At the same time, I think I'm ready for a job. I want to be around people and help them. I don't like being by myself all day - it gets pretty lonely!
It is so nice for me to know that all our finances aren't resting on my income only. What a load off my shoulders! When Jordan was going to school, I had to pay the rent and the bills. Honestly, I didn't mind, but it sure was stressful!
But that chapter of our life is over. And we're starting a new one. Hopefully with some good news about jobs :)

Catching Up

Wow. So much has happened in the past 7 months, and I have definately not been keeping up with my posting!! Here's some recap:

We got engaged!
(Well, I guess this was longer than 7 months ago... closer to a year, but you know!)

We got married!!

Took a few too many pictures...

Then celebrated with a huge reception afterwards!

We travelled to Breckinridge, CO for our honeymoon.

Not much snow, and we only skiied one day, but we had a blast just being together!

We came back to NE to celebrate my birthday and Christmas with

 family by opening wedding presents!

And a Blake Shelton concert when we got back to Lincoln!

Our little one-bedroom apartment - our first home!

It was tiny, but very special to us.

We stayed here until June when Jordan graduated.

More pics will come later, these are all just from December and January! But it caught you up a little bit :) We are loving married life! I keep thinking we're still in the "honeymoon stage", because we haven't even had a huge fight... it's great! :)

Since January, Jordan has graduated from Milford and has a job in Grand Island. We moved from Lincoln to Grand Island in the middle of June... pics to come cuz this brand new apartment is sweet!! I'm searching for a job, but it is such a comfort to hear Jordan tell me to take the time and find one I will actually like!

God has provided and He has blessed us. I am so grateful for a husband who has the same desire as me to follow God and seek out His will. Jordan is a wonderful leader, and I still sometimes pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming!

Ok, enough gushing :) I'll sign off for now!

Cheer

16 days. 16 days until I am a married woman! Even though I know Jordan never reads this blog, I still can't chance saying what his wedding present is on here. (I want to scream it to the world though... I think it's the sweetest thing!!)
I put my Christmas lights up on my porch today, and even though it doesn't feel like Christmas yet, I am constantly reminded of Christ's love for us! He is so gracious to even come to Earth... much less sacrifice Himself!

Yes, He loves us!
Oh, how He loves us!!
How He loves us so!!!

Light

The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?

Well, there wasn't much light today... At least not when I stepped outside. To watch from a purely physical point of view, you wouldn't realize how much "light" I truly saw. No matter how dark and rainy the weather turned, I was blessed by God being with me today, and He definately was my light in showing me His will. He is so good!

Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of the shadow of death,
You're perfect light is casting out fear.
And even in the midst of these troubles
And the hardships of life,
I won't turn back.
I know You are near.
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear??

Cares

There is one verse that has been getting me through the past week... 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you."
I remember my dad singing this verse to me when I was little, and as I sit in my apartment worrying about wedding plans, invitations, flowers, a job interview, my current job, birthdays, supper, schedules, sales, my dress, the weather, traffic, bills and a cold, the song runs through my head over and over. God cares for me. I can give Him all my worries, and, once I place them in His hands, I know that He will take care of me! I don't have to worry anymore. God has it under control.
How many times in my life will I have to struggle with handing control over to God? Cuz it is not easy at all. I know it will be hard for my whole life, but I also know I would be a fool not to give my worries to God! Do I really think I could handle the situation better?!

Be bold
Be strong
For the Lord, thy God, is with you.
I am not afraid.
I am not dismayed.
For the Lord, my God, is with me.

Hope

I am so excited to get married!!!!!! Part of me wishes Jordan and I would elope so we could hurry up and be husband and wife, but another part of me wishes the wedding was far far in the future. I remember when I was little making mental lists of everything I was going to accomplish before I got married. This was also the time when I envisioned myself getting married at 40-something! I have not accomplished most of those things, but I have no regrets going into this marriage :)
I'm really struggling at work. I keep trying to maintain a positive attitude. I mean, I should be thankful that I even have a job, right? I'm facing two 45-hour weeks in November (including Thanksgiving week) along with the normal two 38-hour weeks. My coworkers are fighting, constantly gossiping about each other, and disrespecting everyone around them. I don't understand. Do they realize how ridiculous they look to a believer? Selfishness, petty grumbling, and dishonesty galore! These actions do not honor God, they do not get you ahead in life, and they do not make friends.
Craziness. Hopefully, I'll survive until my wedding!!!

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

Patience

Wow, God has been stretching me a lot lately. But, I've realized that He has been doing so much than I ever dreamed! Today, I was put in several situations where, 5 months ago, I would have lost my temper, cried, blew up at people, or taken out my frustration on someone I loved. But today, I handled it with grace (which came from God) and total patience with the people who hurt me.
I am so happy to see that I am growing spiritually. After I graduated high school and moved out of my parents' house, it became harder and harder to maintain and strengthen my relationship with God. I've been working hard to stay on the right track, and it is so encouraging to see some progress!

Morning by morning I wake up to find the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him, amazed, in awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.