[FlamingYalieWahoo]

Last year at this time my wife had been laid off from her work-at-home, very good paying computer consulting job. I'm sure I requested prayers from you all at that time. We alternated between being very angry with her previous employer, angry with God, begging God for help, taking turns having panic attacks. It wasn't that "pretty" spiritual experience of calm and faith. It was the messy spiritual experience. We decided that she was going into business for herself doing the same thing in the same way. I put my dissertation work on hold and did what I could to help her. It took about six months before things turned around - that's when she got an 18 month contract with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. In her first year of business, she now has 80% of the active clients that she did over 7 years with her previous employer. This is attributable to her amazing skill at what she does which has given her an amazing reputation in the industry in which she works. But it was God who gave her the potential and who gave us the patience to persevere. We probably didn't make all the right decisions but we stayed the course and God worked all things together for good in the midst of a bad situation; he was faithful through our times of doubt and despair and unfaithfulness. So thanks for all of your prayers - And PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

PS please continue to pray for me as I work on my dissertation - it would be nice to be done next Spring and then get a teaching job!

[jcmanson]

That's good to hear. God is certainly good, even in our bad times.

[flameshaw]

Having been through the lay-off thing more than once, I can certainly sympathize and rejoice with you and your wife. Just whenwe think things can't get any worse, God provides. Congratulations on her enhanced career and good wishes for the future, and with your dissertation.

[Sly Fox]

Praise God! Most of us of a certain age (i.e. Old Hags) can relate in very real terms. But its amazing how God can provide where nothing can be seen from the start.

[Knucklehead]

Been there, done that, Praise God for his Provision!!

[4everfsu]

I understand the layoff part, 18 months in my home town of Tampa,Fl and the reason I am now in NC. God works in mysterious ways. I had a job offer in 1999 with the same company and I turned it down. After moving in 2002 with same job offer, from same company as before, I felt like Jonah. I didn't answer God' will in the first place and said no and I was then swallowed up in the darkness of unemployment. Thru it all God is good. Where else could I get off work, third shift work at home and see five deer in my front yard daily

[JDUB]

well, at least you ended up in the best state in the country!
FYW, are you gonna try to teach at LU?

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

I do love VA - I think I've lived here longer than I did my native state of NC (which will always be a part of me). If LU will have me, I would love to return to my alma mater and teach there! I keep in touch with a handful of faculty so I think my chances are good but we will see.

[El Scorcho]

...than I did my native state of NC (which will always be a part of me).

Amen!

I'm glad that things worked out for you and your wife. We will definitely continue to pray for you as you work on the dissertation. Nose to the grindstone and all of that stuff.

[JDUB]

just to clarify, i was referring to nc being the best state, not va.
va's alright though

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

Yeah, the state where Krispy Kreme doughnuts were invented has to be the best place in the world! But then VA does have ham.