5 Months

I find it hard to believe that I have been out of work for 5 months now.  We are still in our house and current on payments we are current on all payments and actually have a little money to spare for the time being thanks to receiving my pension benefit this week.  When this layoff hit, I looked at the money I knew I had coming as part of the severance and figured we could make it into January without much trouble.  Here we are, March 2, and we're still here and in better shape than I imagined we would be in at this point.  This all points to one thing...God provides!  He has provided in so many ways.  I feel so unworthy to receive all these gifts and love, but I know God is providing it all.  So I will humbly accept what He is providing for us.

Don't get me wrong, unemployment sucks.  I'm just trying to make the best of it since that's the situation I (and the family) am in.  It has it's advantages, but the disadvantages can be down right scary.  I'm receiving the maximum unemployment possible, but that is equal to about 3 days of work at my last job and I'm only receiving it once every two weeks.  We've made some necessary adjustments and continue to look at additional ways to cut costs.  I think next up is cell phone cost cuts.  The funny thing is I'll probably end up with a better phone while saving pretty significant money every month ($60-80/month).  We were able to get our lender to temporarily (up to 6 months) lower our mortgage payment about 75%.  I just received my pension benefit (not my 410(k)...still haven't touched that thankfully) and it was bigger than expected.

Obviously, unemployment is the big life situation that has been at the forefront for sometime now, 5 months to be exact, but there is other good stuff going on that keeps me excited, hopeful and happy.  (Please indulge me while I talk about them.)

First, I'm coaching Courtney and Skyler's softball team.  Based on the age cutoffs for the League, this will be the only year they play on the same team.  It seemed like a no-brainer to coach this year.  Last Saturday was supposed to be our first game, but it got rained out, despite it not actually raining last Saturday.  I'm sure the field was pretty soggy from the all the rain the day and night before, though.  Regardless, our first game is this Saturday now and I am excited.  All the girls on the team seem to be having a good time, which is good.  I'm excited to see how they do in games,

Second, I joined a Bible Study small group about a month ago.  This is something I've wanted to do because I know my knowledge of the Bible is well below where it should be.  Fortunately, a friend of mine invited me to join his group and since I already knew most of the guys at least a little, it has been easy to fit in to the group.  The way this group is setup is pretty much what I had hoped for in a Bible Study group.  it's a great group of guys and as of yesterday, we all began the challenge.journey of reading through the Bible in an entire year.  I haven't done this before, and after studying John1 the other night, I'm really looking forward to making this reading a daily part of my life.  This group is also planning a men's retreat for our church this fall, which should be fun.  I haven't gone to the men's retreat before because it's always been in October and, if you know me, that means the playoffs and World Series are happening then.  But if we are planning it, you can bet I'll go as long as I can afford it.

Next up, the cruise.  Having a photographer for a wife has its perks.  In just over three weeks, she will be shooting a wedding her sister-in-law's sister's wedding.  What does this entail?  Well, they are getting married on a cruise.  It's been worked out to where Traci and I get to go on the cruise for FREE as payment for her photography services!  I am so looking forward to this.  A vacation will be very nice, especially while unemployed.  I do have to miss one softball game, but I've got good coaches that will cover well for me.  (I'm so glad I have the coaches that I have!)  Unfortunately we can't take the kids with us, but they will have fun with my parents that weekend, I'm sure.

I'm hoping to be able to make another trip or two come July.  There are two out of town weddings I/we would love to go to.  The first is a cousin's wedding in Colorado in mid-July.  We go the save the date card, but this will be the toughest trip to make (of the three out of town weddings we have the opportunity to go to) because it would involve flying all four of us or driving to Colorado.  Gas prices are soaring so that's a lot less appealing, and flying 4 of us wouldn't be cheap.  I suspect this is a trip we won't make.  One of my best friends is getting married in late July in St. Louis and has asked me to be a part of the wedding if I can make it out.  He knows and understands  my job situation, thankfully, but I really want to be a part of this.  This is a trip I would go solo on, which would be much less costly than the Colorado trip.  It will depend on what kind of tax refund we get (should know in the next week or so), whether or not I get my annual Chevron bonus, as was rumored to be the case for those who were laid off, and whether or not I get a job.  Even if I do have a job and they are unwilling to let me take one or two days off to travel (understandable), I could work the travel out I'm sure.  It would just be a lot quicker turnaround than I would like.

There is some slight movement on the job front.  I received an e-mail yesterday from the Southern California Gas Company saying they would like to interview me for position.  The last time I submitted a resume to them was a few weeks ago.  It took some time on their end, but I was glad to hear from them.  Now I'm just waiting to hear back as to when they would like to interview me.  They asked about my availability next Monday and Tuesday so I figure it will be then.  Let's keep those prayers coming.  God has provided so much up to this point and I know He's now stopping now.  He has a plan and He will show it in time.