Unemployed? Yes. Unfulfilled? No.

Author: Emily

Watching The Wizard of Oz in
Downtown Houston at Discovery Green.

First, we want to thank those who have been praying for us and asking about the job hunt.  God has not chosen to bless me with a nursing position yet; in fact, I haven’t even received one call about an interview.  The process has been quite frustrating: I’ve applied for several positions (and have recently started looking into nanny jobs to contribute to the family income), have dropped off my resume and cover letters in person, and have made numerous phone calls to nurse recruiters with not a word back.  I’ve even applied at specialty care facilities, doctor’s offices, and immunization clinics.  Though it is a tiresome process and I sometimes wish I could give up, God is blessing me with so much more, and I can’t be more thankful.  First, I am learning to be a servant – to Michael and to others.  Just yesterday, I was able to spend time with a friend; she is pregnant, nearing her due date, and is currently on bed rest.  I’ve been able to help her prepare meals to freeze for when the baby comes and also took her to the doctor yesterday for her weekly check up.  She was such an encouragement to me and after the appointment (and after I dropped off my resume at the front desk ;), we went out to eat in a quaint part of town called Rice Village at a restaurant called Texadelphia – it is famous for their Philly Cheesesteaks and instead of serving fries on the side, they serve tortilla chips.  The weather has been gorgeous lately (about 80 degrees nearly every day), and yesterday, I took a prayer walk with this verse in mind:

“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?  Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?’” – Matthew 16:24-26

As I walked, God revealed to me a few things through this passage, but one thing stuck out in particular when it came to my current circumstances in the job hunt.  I do feel pressure to get a nursing job, especially because I spent five years of my life studying it.  But right now, maybe God isn’t calling me to it, or, maybe He is.  Either way, I must be open to the idea of doing something else, even if it isn’t what I expected and even if it doesn’t sound glamorous (not that nursing is a glamorous job ;), but in my eyes, it is the ideal job for me!).  The verse, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” kept resonating with me.  I still struggle with placing my identity in things other than who God says I am; and this time, God has shown me through this struggle of wanting a job that at times, I don't believe that He is enough for me.  But, if I were to have everything I’ve ever wanted (including a job) but not have God, then nothing would matter.  I came to the point yesterday where I honestly could say, “Lord, you are enough.”  The truth is, I had been searching for Scripture specifically about this for awhile, and the fact that God revealed it to me yesterday made my heart soar.

Michael has been doing well.  He often comes home and says, “I like teaching.  But I don’t like teaching math.  I’d rather be teaching Jesus.”  However, God has used math as a way for Michael to reach out to his students with truth – during class, he’s been able to discuss what a healthy relationship looks like and encourage students by telling them the truth about themselves (that they are very smart and capable), and he has even had the incredible opportunity to share the truth of the Gospel with four students after school throughout the course of one week!   In a couple of those conversations, Michael was able to flip to this passage to encourage the students that salvation doesn’t come by our works, but it is through God’s grace (though, it’s important to remember that works demonstrate faith):

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Though he comes home exhausted at times, he still makes a conscious effort to pursue me, and I am so thankful for that.  The other night, he drove me to the top of our parking garage to stargaze (one of our favorite things to do!) and drink some wine.  Unfortunately, as you may have guessed, it is very difficult to stargaze in Houston (haha!).  However, during our time I kid you not, there was a shooting star that at first looked like a plane it was so bright!  It was incredible, and we both saw it!  The funny thing is, right before we saw the shooting star, Michael was encouraging me to persevere with the job hunt as I had had a frustrating day.  God is so cool, isn’t He?

Alicia in Austin at her new job with Global Short Film Network!

Since our last post, we’ve had the opportunity to play disc golf and board games and cards with some friends, attend free events at Discovery Green downtown (like watching The Wizard of Oz), attend a free symphony in Hermann Park, have a couple friends over for dinner, visit Alicia (who just moved to Austin!), attend Greek Fest (opa!), find a local restaurant that actually played the IU football game for us, and keep up with the Colts despite our lack of cable.  There are so many fun (and free!) things to do in Houston.  I was also blessed with the opportunity to fly back to Indiana for a week to visit family and friends.  Though I missed Michael, it was so good for my heart to be away from the pressures of job hunting, and low and behold, I did receive two calls on job prospects, so that was an encouragement!  Momma always said, “A watch-pot never boils.” ;)  While in Indiana, I also had the opportunity to hang out with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and some friends.  Below are some pictures from my visit!  Thank you, Momma and Diddy, for flying me back!!  We look forward to our visit over Thanksgiving break!! :-D

Please continue to pray for the job hunt.  Unfortunately, like many jobs, it’s not necessarily what you know, but who you know.  Thankfully, I have a connection to someone at The Methodist Hospital, and I am being considered for a position at an Oncology Clinic, though I have yet to receive a phone call for an interview.  Also, I just saw that another hospital posted their RN intern positions this morning!   Please also pray for Michael - for strength, perseverance, and good health.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  We miss you and hope all is well!

My twin, Amber, picked me up at the airport once my
flight got in and drove me all the way to Bloomington.

Celebrating Jason's birthday at my Aunt Janet's.

I love my Diddy!!!

Out to brunch with Granzie, Allie, and Momma.

Celebrating at The Scenic View Restaurant before my flight out!