When we first got married, Austin moved to Ann Arbor to join me while I finished my program. Living in Ann Arbor was so incredibly hard for countless reasons. We knew that once I graduated we would probably relocate. Moving back to Grand Rapids was always our plan. It seemed like the easiest option, and by far the most appealing.
Never, ever did we think we would find ourselves signing and dating papers for a house in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. Recently, Austin and I bought an old farmhouse in Evart. Buying a house was a huge decision for us to make. We are planting roots in a place that has been home to us throughout several summers while working at SpringHill Camps. Regardless of the location of where we bought a house, we bought a house. It has been difficult to balance the excitement of buying a new house with feelings of guilt. Buying a house has highlighted our privilege in more obvious ways than before. Privilege allows us to live a comfortable life, and acknowledging that fact is so uncomfortable. Friends, we have a home that we want you to know you are always welcome in. Our home is a gift that we pray we can always use to provide hope, love, and comfort. Many of you have probably read this article, discussing the frequent Christian response of "I'm so blessed," to material good fortune. Scott Dannemiller ends with the following: So my prayer today is that I understand my true blessing. It's not my house. Or my job. Or my standard of living. No. My blessing is this. I know a God who gives hope to the hopeless. I know a God who loves the unlovable. I know a God who comforts the sorrowful. And I know a God who has planted this same power within me. Within all of us. And for this blessing, may our response always be, "Use me." I am grateful for the opportunity to buy a house. I am blessed to know and be known by a God who provides things a house can't. Use us God.
1 Comment
Exciting news friends: Austin and I are both employed!
A few months before I graduated, a great friend of mine from Ferris State University who works for Community Mental Health of Central Michigan came to the Ann Arbor area for a training. On her way home, her and her husband, and Austin and I were able to meet up for a quick dinner. During our meal, she talked about an open position at the agency as a home-based therapist, and suggested that I contact the supervisor if I was interested. The next morning, I gave a call to the supervisor, sent my materials over, and waited. A few weeks later, I got a call for an interview and was eventually offered the position. I start next Monday and I couldn't be more excited. Austin's hiring process was significantly different (and much more exciting than mine) and I can't wait to tell you the story! If any of you have lived in the Big Rapids/Reed City/Evart area, you know that jobs are sparse. At first, Austin considered commuting from Big Rapids to Grand Rapids daily, but decided to explore a few other options first. He contacted several automotive shops to see if they were hiring, and last Tuesday, he had an interview at a tire place. Unfortunately, the interview didn't go as he had hoped. With a couple extra copies of his resume in hand, Austin drove around the Big Rapids area looking for additional shops. His last stop was at a shop on the edge of town. He went into the shop and an employee welcomed him with a handshake and started looking over his paperwork. He noticed that Austin had formerly worked at SpringHill and volunteered with various other ministries. The man thought that the shop manager would be interested in meeting him, but unfortunately, the manager had been injured a month ago when a truck fell on top of him. He had several surgeries and was rehabilitating in Reed City. Even though the employee was unsure whether they were hiring or not, he suggested that Austin drive up to the Reed City Rehabilitation Center to meet the shop manager. Austin called me to explain the situation and said that he was going to swing up to Reed City to meet the manager. I clearly remember thinking how odd it would be to go and visit someone you have never met who was recovering from such a significant event, but I was busy packing for our vacation so I wished him good luck and told him I would talk later. Before he hung up, he said, "This is just weird enough that I think I should go check it out." Austin returned home after visiting the manager and was didn't think much would come out of it besides some good networking for the future. We left for the U.P. the next morning and stayed in Mackinaw City that night. Austin woke up the next morning with a voicemail from a 231 area code. A smile stretched across his face as he listened, and we both knew. Austin returned the call and was offered a full-time job as an automotive technician with great hours and no weekends. We serve a God who provides jobs through visiting strangers at rehabilitation centers. I'm thankful for my husband, who puts his faith in God alone and teaches me how to live a different life. |
Author
Hi! I'm Haley. Archives
May 2019
Categories |