For
those of you who do not know, Shay has been unemployed/working part time for
over a year now. Last February,
the day after he proposed to me, he was laid off with all of his co-workers.
This was a very scary time for both of us. Do we wait to get married? Will he
get a job soon.....later? What does the future bring.
To be
honest, none of these questions were answered, except for our decision to
proceed to get married. :-) It has been one roller coaster of a ride. We have
not had it as hard as so many others (I am so aware), but that cannot demean
the insecurity or stresses that unemployment has caused.
Unemployment is one of the hardest thing ....and due to my past, I do not do
well when I feel financial insecure....at all.....one of the hardest things
ever!
After 6
months of unemployment---and the same day Shay's unemployment check ended---he
was rehired back on at his current company part time. In a way our prayers were
heard....different than what we had thought....but answered nonetheless. You
see, we had prayed for a job that would help us meet all of our financial
obligations. Well, despite the undesirable circumstances, Shay's part time job
paid almost exactly what his unemployment check was, which would keep us afloat
and give Shay the much needed experience in the IT world that will enable him
to apply for higher paying positions later.
Part
time of course was not ideal.....but one can't complain when one has a J.O.B.
and so many others have nothing. Time passed. Interviews, meetings, studying,
praying, fasting, attending the temple, etc. have helped as the year has gone
by. Stresses lessened when Shay was given more hours--38 to be exact. Unfortunately, that only lasted for a
few months. Shay was then once again cut back to only 20 hours in January.
Stress increased, my hope faltered a bit. We learned a lot about each
other during this last year. Unemployment can really be a strain and a blessing
on a marriage. I have learned how impatient I am with the Lord and how he is
going to continue to test me until I can get over that.
Then it
happened. Shay had an interview Friday. It went well. He said they were going
to call him back. Nothing special was said to make either of us feel like this
was "it," but at least it was something.
The next
day I told Shay I felt we needed to go to the temple in regards to his
unemployment. He thought it would be great idea as well. So we ended up going
over to the Mt. Timp. Temple.
Then Shay was contacted and asked to have a second interview on Monday. He went
in on Monday and by that night he was emailed a job offer. He then informed his
current boss about the situation and she told him to give her some time to see
what her boss could do......then the next thing we know Shay was given a
counter offer. Apparently, his current boss told her boss how much she liked
Shay and how good he was at his job that he went to the owner to see what could
be done.
So after
11 months of unemployment Shay and I found ourselves worrying about which of
the two jobs he should take......neither would be his "dream job"---or
something he will be doing forever---but they were blessings just the same.
Well,
Shay decided to stay with his current employer, since they are well known and
respected throughout the country in his field. He started today and I felt a
need to document my gratitude for answered prayers.
I know
that it is often after the trial of one's faith that blessings come .....and,
especially in the IT world, this will probably the first of many scary
situations in our lives....but I have an even firm testimony that miracles
happen during difficult times. I have a stronger testimony of tithing and fast
offerings.......when one remembers the Lord first He somehow provides miracles
along the path of trials--they may not be exactly the way one wants them to be,
but they are miracles just the same. Miracles Shay and I have experienced over
the last 11 months. How grateful I feel this day for answered prayers....they
do come!
