Decisions Decisions

I had my second interview with Allied Chiropractic, and the supervisor said she feels comfortable offering me the job, after she talks to her boss and the HR type person. It sounds like a pretty good job with lots of variety, which is a huge plus. Manpower had told them I was thinking of relocating and so they asked me about that. I told them I have a job offer in VA Beach that I am flying out a week from today to review, but that I would have a decision when I get back. So there ya have it. Now I have two job offers. I appreciate your continued prayers that the Lord will give me wisdom in knowing wich to persue.

On another note, my friend Kristina (not my soon to be Sister in Law) came over last night and stamped with me. She got here at 6:30 and left about 10:00. We had so much fun!! I made three cards for VSN next weekend. One of them is a pre-challenge card, so I'll post it here. The rest you will have to wait for. :o)

Here is one of my creations, though. The challenge, linked HERE was for Christmas in August -- to create a Christmas card using fall colors. I love using non-traditional colors for Christmas cards, but I usually gravitate to bright colors....imagine that...me, using BRIGHT COLORS!

Stamp Sets: Holiday Wishes, Swirly wheel

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Ink: Versamark, Pumpkin Pie, Bearly Banana

Embelisments: Olive and Chocolate ribbon, Stickles,

The tree is embossed with gold detail EP, star is cut out and mounted on dimesionals. The jumbo eyelets added just the right touch, I think.

The second project is a glass bottle that I decorated for Shannon's baby shower. The people had to guess how many Skittles are in the bottle. I decorated the bottle with this awesome circle designer paper, and then added the big flowers.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets - Big Blossom, Pocket full of Poseys, Very Punny

Cardstock - Creamy Caramel, Whisper White, Tempting Terqouise

Embelishmetns: Ribbon

Technique: Faux shaving cream, Embossing (the lid is embossed with red glittery EP)

Tools: Paper Crimper, Circle Scallop Punch, Circle Punch

Have I mentioned lately that I loooove stamping???

On a lighter note...

....I've had some stamping fun recently. It's nice that, even in the midst of all the stress and job trauma, I can still take time to relax and have fun.

This is a card I made for Caleb Reese. Those of you who know the Reese family know Caleb had a serious eye injury and really needs our prayers. I thought a pirate card might be something Caleb would enjoy. My friend Shelly (papermoon on SCS) sent me these images. Thanks, Shelly.

Stamp Sets: Ahoy Matey, Matey's Map

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip

Technique: Distressing, Direct to Paper

Accessories: Rafia, Dimensionals

This notecard holder is one of my favorite projects to make!! I made this and a set of Terrific Tulip cards for a gift basked I donated to work for a co-worker's benefit. These are sooo easy to make, and I loooove making them!!

Notecard Holder measurements:

1. Start with an 8.5" x 11" sheet of cardstock

2. Score along the 11" side at 2.5", 3", 7.5", & 8"

3. Score along the 8.5" side at .75", 1.25", 7.25", & 7.75"

4. Trim corner to 3" score line and 1.25" score line. Repeat on corresponding score lines for all corners.

5. Fold along all score lines and put together.

Stamp Sets: Wild Rose, Terrific Tulip, Swirly wheel

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Tempting Terquoise, Very Vanilla

Embelishments: Primas, Brads, Organdy Ribbon, Stickles

Technques: Distressing, Heat Embossing (swirls on the card)

Thanks for looking. I hope you are having a great week!!

More Decisions

Well, I had my job interview today at Allied Chiropractic. I'm not sure how it went, and I'm not sure about that job altogether. So, I called the place in VA Beach and they are setting up a time for me to come out there to visit. But, I'm really not sure what to do, and I appreciate your prayers that the Lord would give me wisdom and direction.

When it rains, it pours

So, I woke up on Friday morning, and I was feeling a little disappointed because it was to have been my last day at work. I don't particularly love my job -- I set in the corner and answer the phone and stuff envelopes all day. It's not challenging, although I am thankful for the job I have since it is what the Lord has provided for me to do. But I digress -- I was feeling a little down because of my job, and disappointed because I had been expecting to move.

Well, Friday morning before I even left for work, I had two calls about jobs.

The first job is working through Manpower, working for Allied Chiropractic, doing some credentialing for their physicians, and enrolling doctors in benefits and things like that. I had a phone interview on Friday afternoon, and a face to face interview tomorrow (Monday) at 3:30.


The second job is something that I actually applied for about 6 months or so ago. It would be working as an Administrative Assistant at a Christian CPA firm in Virginia Beac, VA. I spoke with them for about 45 minutes on Friday and about an hour and a half on Saturday. They would like me to work as an Administrative Assitant and eventually work up to Office manager, probably within the next 24 months. They would want me to take the Tax Preparation class through H&R Block and a basic accounting class, just to kind of get to know the basics of the business. They offered me the job if I want it now, or would pay for me to fly out and visit. They will also pay for my moving expenses. The only drawback is that the pay to start out with isn't great, but the man I'd be working for would be allowing me to live with he and his wife for the first 6 months or so. That would be part of my salary, and an opportunity to save some money. It sounds like a really great opportunity...maybe almost too great to be true.

So...there are the options. I am praying, and appreciate your prayers, that the Lord will direct me to the job that He wants me to have. I am praying that the Lord will open one door and close the other one.

I'll keep you posted on how things go, but I really appreciate your prayers about these jobs.

Cancel That

Well, I got home from work today and spent my evening cleaning out the garage and getting ready for my move. Then, I got home from Wal-Mart and checked my e-mail. I got an email from the school stating that they are about 40 students short of their projected enrollment and that they are having to cut staff and they are not going to be hiring me afer all.

WOW!! I can't believe it still. It's been about an hour since I got the e-mail, and I'm just completely shocked!! I quit my job and everything. So, I'm not sure what the Lord has in store for me. BUT I do know that God is in control, and that this is what is best for me, even though I may not understand it. Jeremiah 29:11 - 13 says....

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

SO, I will continue trusting the Lord and praying. I know that He has something wonderful in store for me.

Thank you for praying with me about this. It may take me a day or so to adjust, but I know that my Heavenly Father only wants what is best for me. So, I am confident that this is His best, whether or not I understand it right now.

Moving

Wow!! I'm moving in one week....can you believe it?? I sure can't!! I guess when something happens, it happens quickly. It's funny because I've been praying about getting a ministry job since January and nothing has worked out. Now, I have one and I'm moving in a week. It's insane!! But, I know that the Lord is in control and He will work out the details....you know, the small ones like where I'm going to live, little stuff like that :o)

Right now, I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed with all that I need to do between now and then. Wanna hear? OK......

Sunday (tomorrow) -- Church, then a Stampin' Up! workshop
Monday -- nothing so far....planning on packing up my stamping stuff
Tuesday -- dinner with my co-workers at Texas Roadhouse
Wednesday -- Stampers Ten group
Thursday -- Church
Friday -- packing, HOPEFULLY...and then in the evening Mom and I are going to Shannon's to help get ready for the baby shower. We're having a sleepover!!
Saturday -- Shannon's baby shower in the AM and then I'm planning to spend the rest of the day getting my moving stuff finalized.
Sunday -- Church (of course!!) and then we're having a whole glob of people over for dinner. Mom is so good about letting us invite people over!!
Monday -- move.....!!!!!

Yeah....it's going to be a CRAZY week! But, everything will get done. It HAS to!!!

Oh yeah....here's a little shout out to Uncle Doug. I just found out that he keeps tabs on me via my blog. Hi, Uncle Doug!!

Well....it's late. I'm going to bed. G'nite!!

Off you go, then

Well...I finally heard back from the school. I'm definately headed to Maryland. My last day at work is a week from Friday and Mark and I are headed out the next Monday. Stay tuned to this blog for more info....I just wanted to throw in a quick update. Thanks to everyone for the prayers!!

Unexpected Blessings

Soooo.....I got home from work today, and there was a letter from the company who took care of our 401k at my last job. I had cashed it out when I quit working there. Well, apparently there was some money that hadn't been taken into account or was lagging behind or SOMETHING. So, they sent me a check in April, and I didn't even know that. Well, about two months or so ago I had a run-in with Josh and Shannon's garage door....now it's crinkled It is not a happy time to remember. Well, it's been floating around in the back of my mind that I have NO IDEA where the money to fix it is going to come from, especially if I am going to be moving. What an answer to prayer....it's like free money!! J and S are still waiting on the quote...the guy came and did an estimate about a month ago. So, hopefully we will be able to get this stuff squared away quickly.


On another note, today is my sister's birthday. Dare I tell how old she is? Naw....I'd better not. I did make her a set of REALLY cute cards, though....so I thought I'd share.

I hope you are having a wonderful day!!
Hugs!!
Melinda

Stamping the Day Away

Well....I got to spend my ENTIRE day stamping....well, not my WHOLE day. I had to go to a funeral this morning. So -- here is the card I made.

Supplies: Close as a Memory Stamp Set, Leaf Prints wheel, Paisley Background set, Oval Punch, Crafters Tool Kit (for paper piercing), Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, and River Rock cardstock and ink.

I also made several other cards. Here is one that I made for some of the Splitcoast Stampers challenges. This card combines the Color Challenge and Sketch Challenge for this week. I looove the way it turned out!!

Supplies: Bundled in Love stamp set, Sweet Stars Jumbo Wheel, Organdy ribbon, Cameo Coral, Blue Bayou, and Soft Sky cardstock and ink, Very Vanilla cardstock.

I made several other cards as well, but they are all for Splitcoast Stamper's Virtual Stamp Night, which is being held Sept. 7 - 8. It is sooo much fun. If you don't know what VSN is, then I would HIGHLY suggest you ---> CHECK IT OUT <------- I am hostessing one of the challenges, and as I hostess I am privy to all of the challenges, but I can't reveal anything until the challenge is announced. I hope you will play....it's ever so much fun!!

Well, it's late, and I should head to bed. Have a wonderful evening.

Hugs!

Melinda

In Everything Give Thanks

"In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus conerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

Does that mean EVERYTHING?? Why, yes. It does.
Does that mean EVEN THE STUFF THAT HURTS US?? Why yes, it does.

So, I decided to make a list of things I'm thankful for....including the "bad" ones:

• My family -- it is so nice that we live so close together, because we won't always
• My Mom -- she is such a caring, giving person
• My Brother-In-Law -- even though he doesn't always use the most tact, I am pretty sure he is just trying to help me become a better person.....
• The Migraines -- I have learned a lot about pain during the past couple of years. Having a severe headache or migraine every day can be trying....but, it feels sooo nice during the rare days I don't have any. I am also thankful that the Lord has allowed me to have them, so I can understand just a little bit about how people who live in severe, chronic pain feel.
• The interviews that didn't work out, especially the one at Baptist Mid-Missions -- I am thankful that the Lord has a perfect plan for my life, and that He will provide the best job for me in His perfect timing.
• The job I have now -- even though it is sooo tiring and tedious, it is what the Lord provided for me, and something is always better than nothing. AND it could be worse!
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, I am thankful for my salvation!!! Wow -- it is so amazing! God sent his Son to die on the cross for ME! I certianly don't deserve that kind of love!! "Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us....that we should be called the sons of God." That's part of a song I remember singing growing up. How true it is!!

So....those are just a few of the things I'm thankful for. Now, I want to challenge each of you who reads this -- think of one "good" thing you are thankful for and one "bad" thing you are thankful for. I'd love to see everyone post here....please!!

Waiting...waiting....waiting....

....for the people in Maryland to call me back.
This is not an easy task!
I am not a patient person!
My family is SHOCKED to hear this!

SO, I've been at work thinking about the job/interview and beginning to become anxious about it. Then I think "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil:4:6,7 Then, I feel better for a while. Then I start becoming anxious again, and I think "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct thy paths" Prov. 3:5-6.
....AND so it goes. Mom says I haven't learned the patience lesson yet. But, I keep praying and I know that the Lord will provide just the right job in just the right timing. It's a sin to worry, so I can't do that.

I appreciate your prayers that Mr. Bandy and Pastor Washburn will have wisdom to make the best decsion about whether or not I should be employed at the school. If that's not where the Lord wants me, then I don't want to be there....but I really want to be there. Yes, I know....my logic is astounding.

And so....I'm off to bed. Have a great night!!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig!!

Well, I got home about 1:30 last night. It was such a loooong few days, and packed with stuff. I had a really good time, though. I think the interviews went well, but I'm not going to try and make a call one way or the other about whether or not I got the job. I am praying that the Lord will give the people at the school wisdom and direction.

On Saturday, I got to visit Washington, D.C. That was lots and lots of fun....and lots and lots of hot! I got to go with three teachers from the school:

Trudy -- 4th grade teacher (she's the one i'm staying with)

Tammy -- Middle School English (how fun!!!)

Brian -- Middle School History (he's the new guy....)

It was sooo much fun to spend some time with other Christian "young people" who are all in the same age group. Yay!! How refreshing. Plus, I got to do something I've never done before, and have wanted to do for quite a while. What we saw today was just a drop in the bucket, but hey....ya have to start somewhere. Here's what we did:

Arlington National Cemetary -- and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was my favorite part of the whole day

Natural History Museum

Smithsonian Art Museum

Capital Building, and we got to watch some Representatives debating an ammendment to some bill. That was pretty cool!!

Blogging from Baltimore

Well, I made it here safe and sound last night. No flight delays -- I am DELIGHTED with this news!!! So far, I've had an interview with the pastor of the church and I've toured around the school some. The 4th grade teacher picked me up form the airport and I'm staying with her. Tonight, we went to downtown Annapolis. That was fun....we saw lots of old buildings in the dark, but it was good. Tomorrow, I'M GOING TO WASHINGTON, D. C. !!!!!!!!!
In case you may not have noticed, I am very excited about this!!

And, I'm off to bed. LOOONG day tomorrow, and not much internet time.

Oh yeah....I'm having dinner with the HighSchool principal and his wife on Sunday. That is when my other interview will be.

CIAO!

I'll Fly Away

Well, it's 'bout that time again. I will be leaving tomorrow evening and heading out to Baltimore, MD, for a job interview at Calvary Baptist Church Academy. They are considering me for either their High School Secretary or Accounts Receivable/Payable Staff. I appreciate your prayers for safety as I travel. Please pray with me that the Lord will continue to guide me as I look for a job.

Mark is also leaving on Friday for a job interview in Newport News, VA. If he gets that job and I get the one I'm going for, then we would live about four hours from each other. That may be kinda nice.....at least that's what I think. Don't ask Mark. LOL!!!

I will keep all y'all updated on the status of things. Hopefully, I won't have QUITE as many travel adventures as when I went to Cleveland. But, as long as I get there and back in one piece, it's all good...and don't worry...I'm NOT going in a hot air balloon!