Better Late than Never

Author:  Emily


So, we know this post is a little late, but we wanted to share some exciting news with you now that everything is finalized: I was offered another job in December!  Truth is, I was feeling really uneasy about the initial job offer (in the NICU) for several reasons.  The fact that the NICU job required a loooong commute in traffic and it being a night position was enough to make me question if this was the wisest choice for our family.  I didn’t mention my uneasiness to anyone because I didn’t want to complain.  So, I lifted it up to God in prayer.  I shared my fears with Him and said, “God, this is all I have right now, so I’m going to trust you and run with it.  If, however, there is something else out there, please make it happen and make it happen fast.”  Well, a few weeks ago I received a call about a position at a big-name hospital here in Houston – Memorial Hermann.  They were offering an OR internship and the schedule is days/evenings which is soooo much better for us.  Plus, the hospital is only ten minutes from our apartment, and I would start working this month.  I was interviewed within two days of the initial phone call, and was offered the job on the spot!  I knew it was the right thing as soon as my manager offered me the job.  Michael and I are so excited and thankful for God’s provision.  He has a plan and invites us to be a part of it.  I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity and am excited to see what the Lord does in the context of my nursing ministry.  Yet with every new opportunity, God closes the door in other areas.  In addition to having to turn down the first job offer, I also had to stop nannying Paxton which was difficult to accept.  Thankfully, his parents (who are super gracious) found an awesome daycare for him, and they don’t live too far away so I can visit him anytime. 

Riding the Monorail in Las Vegas

Our December was exciting and full of much-needed family and friend time.  There were several highlights.  First, we left Houston mid-December and traveled to Las Vegas with my family.  We stayed at Treasure Island and got to see so much of the city.  My Momma and I even got to watch a new episode of Criminal Minds and rate it!  We had such a blast hanging out with my family, shopping, eating at a Las Vegas-style buffet, and learning how to play poker games.  :-P  We have a little tip: to make your money last, play low-stake games!  For example, we sat down at a $1.00 buy-in Blackjack table with only $3.00 in our pocket and came out of the game 30 minutes later with the same $3.00! :-D  

Michael's Mom, Uncle Jim, and cousin, Mira on Christmas Eve in Indy

After Vegas, Michael and I flew back to Indy to spend Christmas with Michael’s family.  We had so much fun hanging out with Michael’s family (including his aunt, uncle, cousin, and grandmom from Pennsylvania), and we even had a white Christmas!  One of our Christmas gifts from Michael’s parents was tickets to see Wicked in Indy with Michael and Sarah Thompson.  It was incredible and I can’t count how many times I got chills!  If you love Broadway musicals, you HAVE to see this show.  I have wanted to see it since high school, but have never had the opportunity until now.  To top off the night, we went to Steak 'N Shake downtown after the show and met up with two of Michael’s former roommates, Matt and Al.  

Outside of the Murat before Wicked with the Thompsons

At Steak 'N Shake following Wicked with Matt and Al

Another fun part of the trip was that I got to hang out with some really close friends from college.  The seven of us have kept in touch since college via regular e-mail updates (in fact, we save every update to a word document which is now 75 pages long!).  The even cooler part about it is that we all live everywhere and get to share how God is working in our lives: Amber (Fishers, IN), Alicia (Austin, TX), me (Houston, TX), Katie (Denver, CO), Jenny (New Orleans, LA), Kristi (New York City, NY), and Micki (Rwanda).  Unfortunately, Micki couldn’t make it in for our get together, but we can’t wait to see her when she returns from Rwanda!  While I was hanging out with the girls, Michael had the opportunity to hang out with his close friends from college, too: Jeremy, Rob, and Brennon.

Girl's Day beginning at Olive Garden with Katie, Kristi, and Alicia

Jenny, Me, and Amber

We were so thankful to have two weeks to spend with family and closest friends (we got to see all of our bridal party!).  Though we were very sad to say goodbye, we were excited for what God had in store for us back in Houston.  We’ll update again at the end of this month to share about Michael’s second semester and my new job!  Please be praying that God would use us for His glory, and that we would experience His grace more and more each day.