To the Window!

October 10th marked two months since Eli was laid-off, his second lay-off this year from the same company. His decision to go back after the first lay-off illustrates how difficult these decisions can be. The company paid so well, and had such great hours and benefits that we felt it deserved another try. I guess if you never take risks in life you could spend years wondering what if? And you most likely wouldn't stumble upon the surprising successes that come from them.

Eli made the difficult decision to contact an old machining employer about a job last week. Going back to a job he had left in hopes of a better opportunity was a last resort. However, as soon as he set up a meeting with them he was contacted by a guy from the molding job he had found during his first lay-off in January, asking if he still wanted to come back. They were getting busy and needed an extra hand. Eli decided to give the molding job preference if they wanted him. He waited to hear if he had the position before he told the machining company whether he would return or not. Early this week, the molding company called to say they filled the position with someone who had more experience. Within a day of that let down, the local ethanol plant contacted Eli asking if he'd like to interview there. A couple days later they offered Eli a job. He starts work Tuesday next week! He'll have only a ten minute commute to work! Strangely enough, Eli had not applied there since January, and hadn't considered them a possibility this time.

The way this has all played out has almost been like watching an expert game of chess...pieces that don't seem to be moving into the right places at first end up being in the right places at the right times. And while it's too early to know if this is an opened window or a hallway leading to a different window of opportunity, it's at least a step forward. Our house hunting probably won't be resumed for a while now...though we may have to invest in a larger set of bunk beds as the boys' room is currently at its maximum occupancy. At every turn, when we tried to step forward, the Hand of God redirected us. Some lessons are hard to learn, but God always provides. It just may not be in the way we expect.

I can't thank you all enough for your prayers and every single way you've helped us during this time. We have been blessed with the most generous family and friends, and a lifetime of "paying it forward" will not cover what we owe. You all have my prayers, and if there's ever a way we can help, please ask!