I got a crazy job

About three weeks ago i went in for an interview for a special education specialist. I got a call three days that said "we hired someone else but i am going to keep your file because we really like you." Yea I was bummed, but understood that I have no experience with Special needs children so i was ok! Thankfully about a week later i started getting calls to sub. No it was not fun getting startled out of a deep sleep at 6 am! But things were looking up! Honestly I was just excited to be around kids again, i am a weirdo because i thrive around kids!

Well last week i got called to sub for a special Ed assistant. I laughed when i figured out that i was the sub for the guy that got "my job" Well then on Tuesday I got called again for the same person, so off i went. I took my lunch break and the principal sat down next to me! He asked me how he knew me and i laughed and told him he interviewed for the position that i was subbing for. He then figured things out really quick and said "Well that position is open again are you interested in it still?"

"Of course i am!" So I started by new job officially yesterday! And I am came home stressed, tired, tense and happy! But I am working with three great people who are full of advice and encouraging words. Let me a explain little about my job.

For the sake of privacy I am going to give my students nicknames. First in the morning i work with "Ticklish" she has more physical disabilities. She is in Kindergarten. She is a smart cookie but just a slower then her peers. So I work with her in her class, with the special Ed teacher and take her to any activities. Basically I am there to get her to all her activites and work on physical issues with her. Then right before lunch i move to "Mr. Hugger" who has behavior issues. He can start biting, kicking, hitting or running away in a split second and you don't always know why! He is very hard to work with, he is more the reason of me being tense! But I know deep down he is a sweet boy and by his name he does love to hug anyone!

Life in Muncie

Time for an update.

UMMMM....

Still no job. Josh's job is great. Like new apartment. I am watching one movie a day. And finally our dog has eaten chocolate, a picture frame, a willow tree arm and is still alive!

Well in all seriousness things are well. We are really missing family, friends and taco bueno! Josh preached this Sunday, he just keeps getting better! The students were saying that maybe Mark will have him preach more often. I must say I have a small objection to this. He has finally figured out the music stuff. His voice has improved a ton this year and he is comfortable on the stage. He doesn't use his guitar or piano to hide behind. Frankly I love worshiping with him, I always hear something new when I sing in church! But I must confess I enjoy his "short and direct style" As you can see my husband wears many hats at his job.

Well I am still doing this subbing thing and losing some patience over it! I feel like i really should start looking for a job with two big holiday trips coming and Christmas gifts to buy. Cost of living is a bit higher here so money seems to disappear real quick! But I just need to buckle down and make some calls!

All settled in

Well we did it we moved into our very own apartment. It has three bedrooms and two baths! I like the two bathroom part so this way no one is waiting in line to use it! I have unpacked every box, we have hung up most of the pictures and Amos has

found his own little "doggie cave"

I must admit I kind of miss the life of the Campus House. I would walk downstairs and talk to Leslie and then Call Bonnie to come down and then Josh would hear us all laughing and come and make sure we weren't "talking about him" Plus Amos would come with me. The girls love him and he would sit on the couch and watch all the cars and chipmunks go by.

But we don't have internet at home yet so I am still coming up to the Campus house to use theirs! And Amos usually tags along!

I think we are all settled in Muncie. The first service is this Sunday, so Josh is getting a little nervous. I am just excited to meet some of the girls in my accountability group and all the other students! I am just really enjoying life right now. Though I must admit it would be nice to have a job! Pampered is a little something right now, but not a lot. But it is all in God's timing. I am able to attend a lot of activities with Josh right now, so I am taking advantage of that!

If I had a house...

Assuming someday when i have a house i would have kids.

If I had a house it would have...

one level

enough rooms for every child

a master suite with a mini reading corner with a fireplace

a chef's kitchen

hardwood floors

heated bathroom floors

a cozy family room with a huge family picture above the fireplace

the laundry room with the latest washer and dryer

a big back yard

a garden

Oh and i guess this means I would be rich!

i am done with so much free time

I have worked since I was 12. Started out baby-sitting, then got a "real job" at 16 and working ever since. I have had my share of crappy jobs, co-workers and managers! But I have always worked. I have enjoyed the paycheck and friends I have made. I have now been not working for one month. It has been nice allowing Josh to work and me...relaxe?!

In the last month I have read 4 books,watched two seasons of House, a nap every other day, laundry and dishes. But I think my butt, tush, caboose whatever you want to call hurts. It might be flatter anyways I feel i like I have not a lot to do. Now I am not complaining because I will be subbing come August but I am not doing a lot!

I have been diagnosed with discontentment

Lets see today is Thursday and it was the first day this week i have had something to do! Last night after a frustrating two hour conversation with Josh, I realized that I have no close friends in Muncie, no set church and no job. Aka I have nothing to do. So after gripping to Josh about stupid things I realized that I was picking at him purely from the fact of a case of discontentment.

Now don't get me wrong...I am not ready to go running home to my mommy just yet! I still strongly believe that Muncie will become home and honestly this little town is enjoyable. But I am 11 hours away from either of our families and our friends. We are having to visit other churches for the campus house and I am not working.

I am trying to figure out what my place is here at the campus house. I am not the one that was hired and i am not expected to even be involved. But I want to be. Why not? I can learn so much from the weekly connection group, sunday morning services and the students. But what can I teach? I am the one with the simple faith. I am not going to be able to teach them how to dig deeper, the meaning of words or comparing the old and new testament to each other. I learn and live off of personal experiences and the ups and downs of others.

I do know this though. Having Josh being blunt with me last night was good. I know that I am not unhappy with him, I do know that i can't get through this without him. I know that he doesn't want me to have "his faith" and he wants me to find my own thing in the campus house. I know that i am not unhappy with life just ready for things to be something normal and consistent.

Someday...

My thoughts on a "Someday"

Someday I will do this blogging thing right

Someday I will have kids, which will give me an excuse to do this blog thing right

Someday I will have a house of my own, with my colors

Someday I will have all my stupid loans paid off

Someday when those loans are paid off I might not have to work so i can stay home with those "Someday kids" and work on this blogging thing

Someday I will take a photography class

Someday I will have the perfect hairdresser

Someday I will not have a craving for caffeine, so the zits go away with the headaches

Lastly...Someday all that will not matter because I will be in heaven.

Week two in Muncie

So Josh thought my last post was negative, I thought I did pretty good! This week is a little different. I myself don't have as much to do so I am spending a lot of time alone. Which really isn't bad, I am doing lots of reading!

We go out tomorrow for day two of house hunting! We have narrowed the search and it is coming down to the important things! Which has bigger closets, which one needs bigger repairs sooner? Is the kitchen doable? How close is it to J's work? etc We are spending time doing pros and cons and questions to ask the realtor! I can say that watching a lot of HGTV is paying off! I am not a complete dummy going into this! Plus Josh sees a the man's perspective which is nice because well i am not a man!

Josh started week two and already loves it! He still feels under qualified, but honestly he has a lot more under his belt then the last guy so I am not worried! He is very organized which helps! He is coming home for dinner so no extra long hours...yet!! He is leading two small groups with different topics. Plus he has the Praise band and is preaching twice this next semester! He is a man of many talents!

This move has been tough but when God shows you over and over again why he wants us here it makes it a little easier. Just knowing that Josh is learning a lot, I have been to a women's night at a church and we are comfortable with the staff just shows Gods love. We are both getting out of our comfort zone. But seeing and hearing new things.

So for all you family members who may be worried about us, don't be we are in God's hands. We have trusted him thus far and have no intention of stopping!

Muncie Indiana

Well we are on day two in Muncie! We made it here safely. We got to the campus house and unloaded the truck and then walked everything up three flights of stairs. With no air conditioner! Though we aren't thrilled with the bed we are using right now we were able to get to bed early and slept hard. 

Ball State University has a gorgeous campus. I haven't been to a lot of it yet but we are going to walk it tonight. But if there isn't a building there are trees. The campus is huge, with 20,000 students, this place needs to have buildings to put them! Get this in the student center there is a bowling alley! Josh and I were very excited about that.

I have now wondered around Muncie by myself, my gps doesn't even work out here! I got us a bank account, car insurance and a meeting setup to get pre-approved for a house! Amos hates the apartment life already! So many stairs, but we have taken several walks already. He loves all the new smells and the trillion little chipmunks that are all over the place.

So far I haven't gotten home sick but give me more time! Probably when I really start hating the apartment and the stupid stairs! Or maybe with Josh working full time and me well not working! But right now we re enjoying the new place. No happy hour at sonic here though!

We have Plans!!

WE ARE MOVING TO INDIANA!

So the second weekend of May we drove up (nine hours!) to Muncie Indiana for a job interview! Josh met with Mark, did a rehearsal with the band and then a one hour interview with the search committee. Five minutes later Josh was offered the job of associate pastor and music. We decided to take the night to sleep and talk about it! Even though we had a month or more to think about this job we wanted to call our parents and tell them about everything we talked about and a few concerns we had. The thing though was that God had opened so many doors for this job, even though it is the absolute furthest I have ever been from my family we knew this is what we wanted!

So we excepted the job! Josh will start June 15th! We are excited, scared, thrilled and nervous! I have never lived further then 3 hours from my family, but we are now 11 hours closer to the Casey's! So we know that we will see our families as much as possible! Plus since Josh will be working at a Campus house (did I mention that?) Josh's schedule will go like the college! We can never get away from school! Its like a plague (but a good one)!

We will be in Broken one last time this weekend, so we are going to try and see as much family as possible! We will miss all our Joplin friends and extended family in Broken Arrow! But you can keep up with us on our blogs, facebook and email! Love you all

Which one shall it be?!

So in March we were told we needed to start looking for  a job because come May we wouldn't have one. Well that was like getting hit by a semi! We thought we would have through the summer, no such luck! So Josh started looking, well actually after about a two weeks of me his lovely wife bugging him to death to get his resume done! 

 OUR FIRST CONTACT

Our home church of Cedar Ridge (the place we fell in love...aaahhh) recently started a satellite church in Sapulpa! And guess what they are looking for a part time music minister. Yea I said part time but hey my mom loves the idea of us living in the same town! (Oh and yes you too Angie) Plus Josh would get to work with Harold who has been a huge mentor for him!

OUR SECOND CONTACT

About a month ago we were contacted by a guy in Muncie,IN! Yes a very long way from here but the half way point of New Jersey and Oklahoma! This position is Ball State University Campus Minister. Josh would be wearing many different hats! My down side is that there are only 75 sunny days out of the year, very depressing. We drive up there for an interview in three weeks!

OUR THIRD CONTACT

Yesterday Josh was e-mailed by a pastor in St. Joe, MO. Josh had sent him an e-mail but didn't really hear anything else, until a very random e-mail. It said something like I am friends with Harold Pittman and he highly recommends you. Are you still interested in the position? This one is fully a Music Minister in a church of about 325. Random but interesting.

OUR FOURTH CONTACT

Also yesterday Josh and I were taking a much needed nap when we were awoken by his cell phone! So he answers it with a groggy voice and a little confusion!!! The man introduces himself and says "we just received your e-mail we would love to have you come down (Katy, TX). Can I throw you a curve ball and ask if you and your wife could fly down here this weekend?" Well of course we had to say no, that was a little short notice! But the man was not discouraged and asked for a skype interview sometime this week!

So I am thinking we should put them all in a hat and draw one out! Ok maybe not, but hey which ever we pick it will be an adventure!

Plug in for Pampered Chef

So last friday night I had my first party as a consultant for Pampered Chef. It was for a good friend of mine Elisha. The party was a huge success. An average show is 350 in sales I had 600!! That is a huge thing! I was pretty nervous and I wasn't as clear as I should of been, but hey come on it was my first time! My mom is having a show next weekend, so hopefully we will have a huge response to that one!

I thought I would put on here a little plug for my new business but also why I am doing this. Josh and I were wanting to buy a new car and I thought this would be a great way. But also I thought it would be a great thing for when the day comes and we start a family. Having this would allow me to have adult time and also some extra income to pay bills!! I get to make my own hours and do as many shows as I want a month!

No matter where you live we can have a show. A catalog show, a fundraiser or even a wedding registry. It is a great time with the economy down you can earn free products of great kitchen items! It is so simple and not time consuming at all! Do you have friends, family members or co-workers? Of course you do don't lie! Get them in on the fun!

Ok there is my plug I will leave you alone now!

Have you ever wanted an e-mail from God?

So I have asked this question a lot these last couple weeks. And my answer is Yes! Who wouldn't, right? Well as you guys no Josh is currently looking for a job any where! I mean he has sent resumes to Indiana, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Colorado etc. Unfortunately churches want some one older and wiser with 3-5 years experience! Well Josh is 22 with one year experience and well I find him very wise but I am not  the one hiring him! 

To add to our craziness I found out this week that Tiffany is going to be a stay at home so I losing my full time job in June! Yea I know how could you possibly be mad at a mother for wanting to stay home with her baby?! I sure couldn't but I will admit it was bad timing for us! We just bought our car and in June we will have to pay rent for the apartment! 

I had to put down some pride and ask fro help with Josh's graduation announcements (money that is) that was hard. Because I thought I could handle it but since the month of may includes two weddings, two birthdays, our anniversary and Mother's day I just didn't see how I would have the money to purchase them!

So back to my title, i have thought a lot about how nice it would be that God would send us an e-mail with what our future looks like. A little peace of mind would be nice! Now I don't want to know everything just the next couple months! Through all of the economic issues if we will be able to land a good full time job and life some what comfortably!? 

I am a person who hates most change but I admitted to Josh the other day that I don't care where we move to as long as he has a full time ministry and knows that he is doing something he was trained to do.  I hate the idea of leaving my family but I also know that they will support us even if we end up 2,000 miles away.  

But more then anything Joshua and I have grown so close to each other these last four months! We have really learned to lean on each other. We are more in love today then eleven months ago when we exchanged vows! Oh how I love my husband!

Life Changes

Well Josh and I have been almost ten months and what a ten months of changes! But yet we will have more before we celebrate one glorious year together! Josh is down to 7 WEEKS of classes before graduation! Right now he is trying to relax during Spring Break!

In the last week we have found out that the church will have to let Josh go the end of May because of finances. This came as a surprise because we though we had until the end of the summer at least! So Josh has started the process of finding a new ministry. He sent out five resumes via snail mail and a dozen or more via e-mail! Thanks to the economy this could be a long crazy cycle. But crazy enough we are getting excited about a new church! Some where Josh can really spread his wings. Hopefully find something he really enjoys and also a challenge! We would also like a church that doesn't have a 8AM service so we have no more of this 6AM rising time! But we aren't picky...well maybe a little! ;) 

We have also bought a car! A beautiful sexy red 2007 Toyota Camry! We of course went in just "looking" and went out with keys. Well actually we didn't get the keys yet, because the bank wasn't open and they have to clean it! We were actually looking at a black one and we sent our salesman out to get a price on the car and he came back saying "I know you guys are Christians because God is on you side today!" They had just got a trade in for 1,200 dollars less, 20,000 miles less and this one came certified so we got new tires! It was  steal! But we are officially adults, we have a loan! A five year loan at that! 

Buying a car was interesting! Josh definitely made this decision. He kept saying you are a woman you have intuition. I told him I didn't think it had kicked in yet! But anyways I knew we could afford it, but it was a chunk of money and it looked like we were signing our life away! I can't imagine what buying a house is like! Josh was strong for me and I did have peace by the time we were signing all the papers! I am so excited this car is ten years newer then my car!

Just an update

So I haven't posted in forever probably because I have no internet at home and so then I have to take time to go somewhere to get it! This last week as been crazy...well more for Josh then me! Ozark had a huge conference and Josh needed to work some sound in the seminars. So he was gone all day Monday through Wednesday. Then thursday through today he works Drury! My week as been good because Carissa was staying with us until today! So I got a lot of one-on-one time with her! Which was nice, I am still the new one in the family!

So we are done to about two and a half months before Josh graduates, gets ordained and we have two weddings to attend in two different states and we are both in one! Oh and of course the Casey's come in town too! I have a personal shower to plan for Shelby, I have a pampered chef party to plan and figure out all the details of becoming a consultant!  I know you are thinking ok seriously two months to do all this?! Yea well you try and do it without internet at your fingertips and a computer of your own! I have plenty of time when I have Whitley but nothing to do it with! 

Speaking of Whitley she gets more fun everyday! She rolled over several times last week, I even laid on the floor with the camera waiting for it so mom and dad could see it! She smiles ALL the time and starting to laugh just a little! Though you have to make a complete fool out of yourself to get her to laugh! She has a fake cry now to! She enjoys sitting up and getting different views in the house, so in other words we are moving all the time! So yea way to much fun!

Well I guess that is all right now! 

Our first Valentine's Day

So today was my first Valentine's Day as a happy married woman! My day started off when Josh came in with breakfast in bed. Waffles, sausage and strawberries topped off with a beautiful rose on the tray. Underneath there was a clue to where my gift was. He then started sending me all over the apartment to where I finally got a poka dotted gift. He gave me a hoodie with the Ozark written on it, I know not romantic but it was what I wanted. He did get me a dozen roses too! 

We then went to get our taxes done(yea I know not romantic but hey we get money back!). We then made our way to Papa Johns where we got a heart shaped pizza! It was so cute I made Josh take a picture but it isn't on his computer yet! We then went to Springfield to pick up Carissa! We are so excited to have her with us for a few days! But anyways it has been a good day filled with laughter and lots of kisses!

Our sacrifice

So Josh and I decided that apparently we needed a sacrifice for moving further out of town and cheaper rent...no internet! We were able to basically get this thing that allowed us to pick the 3G network with AT&T but the only thing is that where we are we are only able to get 2G. Which means it is freaking slow! Not as bad as dial up but darn close! Let me just say I am not able to upload pictures or view albums on facebook, because it takes so long! I am now doing all this at the church while Josh has band practice! We are returning this stupid gadget, but not really able to get anything else. So I am going to be checking everything only a couple times a week instead of a couple times a day! So sad and pathetic! How have I, we become so dependent on the internet? 

So anyways all goes well with the Job! Whitley gets more fun every day. Today she talked my ears off and I am sure she said something "Mikala you are my favorite and we should hit the mall tomorrow!" I don't know it was filled with bubbles and coos but I am sure that is close! Oh I love my job. We are getting well adjusted in the new place. Josh loves the walks and runs he can take now. Amos loves the freedom and well I just love the whole thing!

Pictures of the apartment

Ok so finally here are some pictures of the apartment! Enjoy!

The Living room and behind the couch is the study and guest bed nook!
The windows that look out to the river
Our bedroom

The beautiful new kitchen

Front door and Dining

Finally we have internet!

Hey hey! So I have been without internet for about a week now and we finally got it in this weekend! But right now I am in Josh's office while he leads first service! 

Well we got all moved in to the new place! I know I know where are the pictures well they aren't done yet! Well honestly I haven't taken them yet! The apartment isn't in complete order yet, so I am going to try and do it today or tomorrow! But we love it already! We are about two miles off of a main road so all we hear is birds, the wind and a few dogs! No cars, no ambulance and no people above us! We are just close enough to town (about 10 mins to a Wal-mart) for it to be comfortable and far enough to enjoy a creek and plenty of trees!

The apartment is only a few months old. This was a project the Shroeder's worked on while Tiffany was pregnant. There is high ceilings, new stainless steel appliances, shag carpet and a heated bathroom floor with a walk in closet! The walls are painted a beige color, so I now have some color in the apartment! So yea we decided it is nicer then we will ever see or at least for a while!

I promise there will be pictures this week!

Friday High Five

                                                                              

This is for you Angie....

Top five reasons I love me family

5. They are crazy funny and know how to laugh

4. They are always there for me and Josh when we need them

3. They all care for each other no matter what decisions they may make

2. They may have their differences in faith, family and money but they all listen to each other. (now this does not mean that they take the advice!) 

1. They love me and now love my husband as if he has always been there!

I love family and I have been blessed by their love and support!