Job . . . or lack thereof . . . Update

After 17 months of the unemployment roller coaster . . .

I'm tired.

I'm ready to be done with "Job Updates".

Jim is oh.so.ready to be done with looking for work.

He is tired.

He is discouraged.

He is stressed.

Our bank acct. will run dry (again) in a couple of weeks.

So hard.

So stressful for all of us.

None of the "promised" out-of-state refinery jobs came through.

Hoped for painting jobs haven't come through.

(Several local painting contractors are hiring right now,

but they are breaking state laws left and right,

so Jim won't work for them.)

Jim is substitute teaching a couple of days per week,

but we won't get paid for that until the end of June.

(after the bank acct. runs dry)

We have taken Grampa's old 1988 Honda Accord 

out of storage, to save on gas.  

(Mama's Dream Machine is staying parked as much as possible.)

We didn't take the whole family to the District Track Meet on Wednesday,

so that we could drive the little Focus instead of the Dream Machine.

We asked another mom to ride with us to the District Track Finals,

so that we can split the gas costs.

We haven't seen Little Noah since he was 2 weeks old

(and he's now 2 months)

because we are cutting out as much gas expenses as possible.

(our gas prices are up to $4.15 at the cheap stations)

We absolutely BELIEVE that the LORD will continue to provide for us.

We have SEEN His FAITHFULNESS the past 17 months.

Last time the bank acct. ran dry, Jim got a job at 

THE.VERY.LAST.MINUTE.

We are PRAYING.

We are BELIEVING.

We are TRUSTING

But ... we are TIRED.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

For all of you that are sneering . . . thinking, "I knew it. They shouldn't have wasted their money on that Spring Break trip."  No.  We do not regret that trip one bit.  The amount of money that we spent was a mere fraction of our monthly budget.  We do not believe our little road trip was "foolish", one bit.  So . . . please keep those comments to yourself.

And, for all of you that are laughing . . . thinking, "Here she goes begging for money again."  No.  I have many friends who read my blog who want me to give job updates and who want to pray for us.  The mere mention of money does not mean that I am begging. (Some of you believe that money is the unspeakable topic . . . never to be shared in public.)  Only ONCE have I ever received money from a blog friend after she read an update.  She was blessed to be able to give.  We were blessed to receive.  And . . . that is just how God works sometimes.

So sad that I must even write the last 2 paragraphs, but most of you would be shocked by the judgement and condemnation I receive over every little mention of money . . . over every prayer request for a job.   I have been raked over the coals (by a local stalker) for the "expensive" hair salon I go to (for my 3 times per year haircut and foil) . . . for my monthly $15 splurge on a manicure . . . for the type of cell phone I use . . . over any mention of driving out-of-town (because I am "wasting" money on gas).  Seriously.  It is over-the-top out-of-line condemnation from an "anonymous" local stalker.  Sad.  Truly sad.  THAT is why I must preview all comments now, before they are published.  I'm just not up for the public debate of every financial decision we make.

If this post offends you . . . please stop reading my blog.  Seriously.  It's time to do both of us a favor and just stop reading.  Thanks.

If this post does not offend you . . . please keep us in your prayers.  Thanks.  Much appreciated.