The Waiting Game

31.  That is the number of positions I have applied for tonight.  31 possible jobs.  31 chances for someone to  say yes to me...or no.  The worst part of job hunting is the Waiting Game.  You know the game.  You put in the applications, then you paint your nails just so you can peel the polish while you anxiously await the calls.  But you really don't want the calls because when the phone rings, your heart starts pounding at the possibility that it could be someone saying no.  Or worse, they say yes and you feel like you have NO CLUE what you're doing.  Yes, the Waiting Game is not my friend.

In my anxious post-application state I searched for some Bible verses on waiting.  Going to Bible verses instead of the ice cream is better for my peace of mind... and that wedding dress!  That's when I came across this passage:

"Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:24-29

It's such a comfort to know that God has a plan.  In this whole job search I have no idea where I should be.  What grade should I teach?  Do I want an easy school or is God calling me to a more challenging school?  It's a difficult thing to find your place.  Like the verse says, I might not know exactly what to pray but I don't need to.  God knows where He wants me and He will get me there.

In the meantime, I'm going to busy myself with wedding excitement!  I've been glittering clothespins the past few days for a photograph display that will go on the cake table.  Plus, the Contentment Challenge begins this Saturday!  I'm thinking the hobby I'm going to take up will be photography.  I've always wanted to learn, and I just used my graduation money to buy a new camera.  Will you be joining Jessica and me in the Challenge?  What new hobby/project will you be taking on?

And It Begins...

There are going to be SO many beginnings this summer.. it's enough to make a girl exhausted!  Not only will I be getting married (finally!), I'll also be accepting my first teaching job.  As long as I get an offer, of course. I'll also be moving into a new apartment.  With new appliances!  I can't tell you how excited I was to receive a knife set at my bridal shower this past weekend.  It might sound boring, but when you've been using the dullest knives in the universe for the past year it's the little things.

With all these new changes happening, I decided to start a brand new blog to chronicle all the ups and downs of this new beginning.  I'm completely addicted to teaching and crafting blogs and decided to try making one for myself.  It's going to be a bit of a hodge podge of topics, but it will mainly feature the 4 things I love most - teaching, crafting, my family, and God.

So to start off this excitement, I'm going to share with you a chance for your own new beginning!  My friend Jessica from Just Jessica Jordana is starting a Contentment Challenge in June and I'm inviting you all to participate!  It's a great chance to help us remember to be content with what we've been given.  It's going to be a bit difficult with the wedding spending bug, but it will be a good chance for me to keep myself in check and remember what it's all about!  So here's how it's gonna go!

Contentment Challenge: June and July 2013

• For the next 3 days, prepare your heart and mind for obstacles that you may encounter, and go through your closet and your house.  Get anything that you will NEED for the next 2 months. This is not a last minute shopping spree!  
• Choose 1-3 inspiring books to read during this time.  
• Gifts are okay!  If someone gives you a gift, accept it graciously.  If you need to give someone a gift, that is fine.  However, do not hint to anyone that you need a "gift" and there will be no "gifting" to yourself.
• Necessities are okay!  By all means, if you need new underwear, get some.  But you do not "need" that dress because it would go perfectly with your summer wedges.  
• Actively pursue something--anything--that replaces your tendency to buy stuff.  There has to be something you love, a hobby you've always wanted to do, etc.  DO IT NOW.  At least start.

The kick off is THIS SATURDAY, June 1st.  Hope you guys can join Jessica and me!