Unapologetically

So many of you have watched my Facebook page, my twitter account and here on my blog waiting for the next big thing.  You have faithfully lifted my family and I up in prayer and have hung on during my very silent two months since HP let me go.  I know you have been there because I can feel it and I can see it.

I want to spend a quick moment recounting the amazing things God is doing for us because you have unapologetically been praying for our blessing and provision. First, HP gave us 13 weeks of severance. I have to admit I was REALLY scared...that was three short months(two of which have already expired). We just bought a house last January and I wasn't certain how I was going to stretch out 13 weeks pay to make house payments until I got a new job.  Truth be told we had been living more than our means each month and had little in reserve. We adjusted, I cooked more, we didn't spend frivolously but we didn't really change too much in how we were living. And yet at the end of the two months I still see a balance in the checking account that sits within a thousand dollars of the original installment of our severance. I don't know how that has happened except that God is an amazing God who fed 5000 with basically nothing and had leftovers.

Tom has been given so much favor at his job at the YMCA since I lost my job. Let me catch you up really quick. About 8 weeks before I was laid off, Tom had his bootcamp class taken away from him by his management. This was a group of ladies who had been with him for over 5 years. Instead of this well developed bootcamp he was charged with starting a beginner class. Long story short, there were many hurt feelings and Tom was tempted to leave given that he has to commute down into Houston to teach the class three times a week. It was a tough spot for us, both of us were miserable at work, but he stayed put and honored his commitments. On the last day of his 8 week session, just one week after I turned in my 13 year old HP badge, the new group of ladies gave him a bonus. Since then the same group of ladies have given him two more. I could talk about all the new training business God has blessed us with for an entire blog but I won't bore you. Suffice it to say God is filling our baskets and bank account in ways we could never have imagined.

But the favor we are feeling isn't only monetary. Our family is happier than we have been in the past. We are looking out for each other. We are standing side by side and talking about the  things that are most important to us. For once, I am listening to my kids who have said that mom at home more than away is far more important than restaurants, plane tickets, and fancy summer camps. We are all more engaged with the Lord. The boys asked for new bibles for Christmas to use for night time reading logs at school. They chose Christmas cards that declared that Jesus is Lord and if you don't know Him you are missing out. Karl has a teacher who has reminded him repeatedly that this too will pass and God has us in the right place. Paul has a teacher who sees him, and gets that this is stressful for a third grader. She has whispered words in his heart that say "it will be okay", and that she is right here to help if he needs it.

Texas has honored my teaching degree and license from Colorado and I am moving toward a teaching position again. And believe it or not we can survive on that salary.  God is stretching us and teaching us to live in the sweet spot of faith. There are days when I don't know how it will all work out and I tell the Lord that it doesn't all add up but then something happens to reaffirm that we are on the right road and we are doing what is more important.

So we unapologetically thank you for your prayers and thank Him for His love and declare that 2014 is a year of faith and favor for the four of us. I am going to try to chronicle it much more closely because I truly don't want you to miss the miracles that I know are around the corner. I don't want you miss a beat of His heart toward us. So check back periodically to see how God is providing for us in ways our natural minds can't even comprehend.  And know that while we are walking this out we are praying that you will find His power overwhelming your life as well. And that by this time next year, each of you will be unapologetically telling your story of favor in the Lord.

We love you and you are in our prayers daily!
The Murphy/Braden clan