Unemployment

Trying to claim unemployment is not as easy as I was hoping. Since I have worked in two different states in the lat 18 months, it is not going smoothly at all! I called the unemployment office at the beginning of June and have yet to see a check. I realize it will take time to process everything, but now I just recieved a letter in the mail stating that they have a phone interview scheduled for me. What?!?!? I asked a friend of mine if she had to go through this too, and she said she didn't because she filled out her information online and was done! HOpefully I won't have to deal with unemployment much longer; then, I can cancel my unemployment claim and be done with it!!! Ugh

just had to vent

Almost A Year

What a year. Josh and I will be celebrating our first year of marriage this weekend! We're going to San Diego with some friends and will be meating some others that live down there. We're both really excited about the trip. Not only will a relief from the heat that we're dealing with here in Fresno, but it will be fun to celebrate with friends.

This past year has been a lot of fun. We were married on July 5, 2008, went on our honeymoon on July 7 and after we got back, we finished up packing and we made our trip out here.

We have been very blessed since we've been living out here. I was able to find as job fairly quickly, Josh enjoyed his first year of teaching, we bought our first home, made new friends, found a church home and much more!

I love you, Josh, and I am looking forward to the rest of our life together. XOXO

day 1

It is my first day without work and I can't say it was all that enjoyable. I am rather bored with the day and have searched over and over again for jobs online, but can't seem to find anything. I played with the dogs, baked some brownies, did some grocery shopping and sat around. I'm saving the cleaning for the end of the week so that I have something to do and it will be "fresh" for when friends come to visit.

I just pray that God has a purpose for this down time he has given to me. I know he does, but I hope to soon find out what it is. I also hope that he provides me with work and soon. It has only been one day; I have only had a taste of what so many others have been dealing with for months or longer. I hope that I am not just another American that will be without work for such a long period of time.

wonderful weekend

Though it was a quick trip, my parents have come and gone. They got to Fresno at about 1:30 am on Saturday morning, and it was so good to see them.

I am not going to lie; I was a bit anxious about the whole visit. It was my dad's first trip out to California since we've moved here and I just wanted everything to be perfect. I had been praying for a few weeks about the trip; that God would allow things to go smoothly, that words would be kind, that relationships would be begin to heal, that the church service on Sunday wouldn't overwhelm them and much more. God answered each and every one of my prayers that I prayed for this weekend. Praise Him! There were some bumpy moments in the trip, but overall, it couldn't have gone better.

Saturday we went to breakfast and then did some shopping for patio furniture and showed my parents the furniture we purchased. Later in the afternoon, my parents were very generous and purchase for us a great patio table and chairs, which we are very excited about. Josh and my dad picked that up and then they put it together while my mom, sister and I were at the pool enjoying our time together. That night we went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and then got some tasty frozen yogurt! Sunday morning we woke up early for church and couldn't have been more blessed from the preaching. The lessons he spoke about on Sunday were truly amazing and I think we all took a lot from it. Also, the music I was concerned about because my parents go to a very conservative church, but it was rather mellow this week, which worked out PERFECTLY! Again, God is answer prayers. After church, we went home and ate a late breakfast and headed to the pool for a bit. When we started get hungry again, Josh grilled some steaks and we enjoyed our lunch at our new patio table :). Once we were done eating and talking for a bit, we went back to the pool and tried to stay cool and enjoyed the time we had left together. Later we ate some dinner and just relaxed outside....it was great. I couldn't have imagined it any better.

Through this weekend, I kept hearing a Chris Tomlin song that I am learning to cling to....it is truly uplifting and comforting in times of concern or struggle. Here are the lyrics that have touched me the most:

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesth may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, "it is well"

Jesus has overcome and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when he calls my name
No more sorrows, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
I will rise