Our Story - God's Continued Blessings

Foreword: I am by no means belittling the loss and struggles of others in Minot. Our loss is minimal in comparison of thousands of others. This is simply a story of the Sovereignty of my Savior... hoping to bring Him glory and you encouragement.

For the past few months Jordan and I have been thinking about our future, excited for the clear plans that God had laid before us!
Jordan and I have been planning to move to Minot as soon as he finishes his final Master's Degree class on July 22nd 2011. He has a job lined up as a CPA at an accounting firm in Minot, starting the middle of November (he planned on working for his Dad at the farm until his start date.) We had a home lined up for rental AND I it seemed like I had a job in place. We felt like God was SCREAMING at us to "GO TO MINOT!!!"

I guess God has some other plans for us...

My job hunt is still in progress as there was some mis-communication between a human resources department and the actual department... one job uncertain...

Minot is facing its highest river crest ever recorded coming this weekend...

The home Jordan and I were planning on renting at the end of July will most likely be underwater... one rental home = not an option...

Our THREE reasons for moving to Minot (Jordan's job, my job, and the rental home) are down to ONE reason... Jordan's job.

Why God? Why the fog in this decision? Why make it clear and then unclear?

I still don't have an answer. In the midst of these question the past few days, I had a choice... to worry or to praise. I have been thinking about Job and how he praised God through immense pain, loss, and suffering. Would I do the same? This week I have been trying to practice that... I am putting my hope and trust in the Lord! Praising HIM for WHO HE IS... not where I am. Songs have come to mind such as "Praise You in this Storm" by Casting Crowns, "God of this City" by Chris Tomlin, and "Blessings" by Laura Story. I am CHOOSING to trust and not fear (not a natural choice by the way...)

Although, God does not always answer prayers immediately, He has GRACIOUSLY showered us with more blessings...

As Jordan and I were considering our options, (GAH... ALL KINDS OF THOUGHTS) we decided to continue to look for other housing options in Minot.

Yesterday: Found some apartments that are being built and will be ready mid to late November (about the time that Jordan is starting his CPA job). Coincidence??? NOT A CHANCE! We are in the process of filling out the housing application and putting down a deposit.

SO all we had to do was figure out where we were going to live UNTIL we could move into these apartments... (this is the REALLY cool part).

To check with our current apartment status, Jordan went to the Residence Life Department at NDSU and was greeted by empathetic and wonderfully understand people. (We are still in student housing... so if Jordan is NOT enrolled in classes, we CAN NOT live in our current apartment.) At first they said they wished they could help, but since we had already said we would be moving out on July 25th, they had another person signed up for our apartment. HOWEVER, standing near by was a maintenance guy listening to Jordan's conversation. He spoke up, saying he was willing to work hard and finish up another apartment so that the next renters would have that place to live in so that we could STAY in our apartment.... WOWZAS!!!!
The only thing Jordan has to do is take ONE credit at NDSU: He has decided on jujitsu - a martial arts class on Monday and Wednesday nights for one hour for the first half of the semester. (I had to google it... had NO idea what it was... hahaha!!)

God has ALSO blessed him with a full-time temporary job at NDSU's plant research department. (He made one phone call yesterday and has a job... amazing.) AND my boss is willing to keep me as long as I need.... we are just overwhelmed.

I have no doubt today that God will provide the right job for me in Minot... and He will grant us a place to live, EVEN if this apartment thing would fall through... He has NEVER failed me yet.

I am praying for you, especially those in Minot. LOOK for God's blessings, even in the smallest way. He has not left you... He has not forsaken you... bask in HIS peace and contentment... trust the Creator of the heavens and the earth...