Updates!

 

At the time of my last post, Reid was jobless, I had begun permanent part-time status at George Fox, Cameron was patiently awaiting clearance for his trip to France, Katie was set to graduate and then work for a while before she started her master's program, Rosalie had lost her tuition benefit at Corban and we didn't know what would happen next, and Natalie was muddling through her COVID senior year. Phew! Once again, a lot has happened since my last post, and I am excited to finally be at liberty to share all the wonderful goodness that the Lord has brought our way!

Reid kept busy with consulting jobs and some teaching at Western from February through June, but as of July 1, he is now working for a software company called Stellic. I'm not super knowledgeable about the techy side of life, so I'm not entirely sure what all his job entails. I know he is in a leadership position and helps the teams work together to accomplish the vision of the company. He is in a job where his skills, gifts and talents are celebrated, which was my hope for him! The great thing is, he works from home! While this creates some challenges, such as the fact that we don't have an office space at home so he is in our living room all day (!), we are so thankful that we do not need to move at this time! And that he has been given a job that is new and exciting and fun, has a great team of people to work with, and provides well! Praise God for His amazing provision! 

As of July 1, my job status changed as well! I moved to 32 hour full time in my position at George Fox! I never thought I would return to the work world in this way, but I am excited to be helping people, loving on students and having something worthwhile to fill my time since I will no longer have kids at home (at least not in the same capacity as in the past ;). After 24 years of being a mostly stay home mom, this will be quite an adjustment, but I am thankful for the slow transition I have had, and am ready for the challenge and the opportunity! This also increases our tuition benefit which will impact Rosalie's choices (see her section of this post).

Cameron has all his funds raised and will head out next month for France! While it was somewhat frustrating to be "stuck", even he will tell you he is so thankful for the year at home. He had time to kind of "re-set", got involved with a couple of men's Bible study groups, worked, and has been able to be around for family celebrations and things he would have otherwise missed. There is also a special someone in his life, and while the coming year apart will be difficult, having some time together to grow their relationship has been really good for them!

Katie graduated with high honors from Fresno Pacific University, and three days later started her master's program in counseling at Western Seminary (Yep, where Reid worked). This was not her original plan, but due to certain circumstances, it became necessary to start right away. She is loving her classes! Right now they are fully online. She is living in Fresno, involved in worship ministry and more at her church and will begin looking for a part time job soon. She moved into a new apartment that is part of the ministry of their church, and has free rent and utilities in exchange for ministry work - forming friendships within the complex, which is right across the street from her church. (What a cool idea for ministry!) She too has a special someone in her life. He lives in Fresno, so you see why she would want to stay there. ;) (On top of all the other reasons.) She was just home for a week and half. It was such a wonderful gift to have her home and spend time with her! Adam, her special someone,  was here for part of it, and it was good to get to spend some relaxed time with him too! 

Rosalie is in Morocco! She will be there a full month on a mission trip with Royal Servants. She was all set to go on a Royal Servants trip last summer to Europe, but of course that was canceled due to COVID. In her own words, she is much better prepared to be on this trip this year, and is glad to be on the Morocco trip instead of the Europe trip. (Europe was still not open.) In her time at ACTS this spring, she decided that at least to start with, she wants to pursue a degree in Interior Design. With the tuition benefit that I receive at George Fox helping even more with my new full time status, and the opportunity to live at home to save money while going to school, she has decided to attend George Fox this coming Fall! She will do the first year online program, to save even more money. We are praying that she will be able to find super affordable living and a part time job in Yakima, where many of her friends from ACTS live, to help make the online experience a bit more enjoyable this first year, with plans to live at home and attend on campus classes the following year.

Natalie finished up her weird senior year. :) Her water polo team finished as champions in their modified season! She graduated a valedictorian and gave a killer speech at their IN PERSON (students only) graduation. (Yep, that was a brag :) ) It has been a very unique year. Seniors missed out on a lot. But Natalie did a good job of going with the flow and excelling at everything she had going on in spite of the less than appealing conditions. She is still working as a nanny, is giving private swim lessons, has lots of house sitting jobs, and is playing club water polo this summer before she heads off to college next month. 

Anyway, phew! That was a lot of updates and changes! I am so stinkin' proud of everyone in my family for how they have handled all the stress of upheaval and different transitions these last several months. We trusted God for good things, and boy did He deliver! I love that Guy!!! :)