The Job Search

And just like that, a month has gone by. And we are still working and waiting to see what doors God opens up on the job end of things. Jonathan does more of the working part--sending emails, rewording and submitting resume after resume, networking, and researching. We both do the waiting--praying, surrendering, trusting, and praying some more. Meanwhile, other aspects of life continue on.

 Silly Goose keeps growing.

2 more months and he'll be here!

Yup, TWO MONTHS!!

So exciting!

Jonathan and I had our hospital tour a few weeks ago, and our childbirth preparation class is this weekend. Tell you what, it gets more and more real all the time! Especially when the little guys uses my ribs as a playground or scooches his cute little rear end around making my tummy bulge out to one side. What a Silly Goose, right? And what an incredible miracle!

Jonathan had the brilliant idea the other day to stop by Griffieth Observatory on the way home from church (maybe as Silly Goose's arrival gets nearer, there's a sudden motivation to do those things that are more difficult to do with a little one, like sightseeing). 

 It was a beautiful sunset over the sprawling city.

This is me posing for a tourist photo of the Hollywood sign.

Makes me laugh, I look a little wary of the other tourists.

Here we are with the moon rising over the Observatory dome.

Other "normal" life happenings have come to include Steven! Even though he's spent almost more time in New York than here in town since moving out, we've managed to establish some fun routine hang outs--dinners, skyping with the folks back in Roanoke, and he and Jonathan have done some surfing together. 

Last weekend we had a blast watching some cousins perform at their marching band competition. It was quite the show! And the In and Out stop beforehand wasn't bad either--seriously, Silly Goose has created a special affection for their vanilla shakes! The funny thing was how everyone had the same idea--we stopped in (Joe and Sue, Steven, and us), joining Grammy and Tom and Heidi, and before you know it, Tom and Jody popped in too! After burgers it was off to the show!

The band performed a Peter Pan show,

Return to Neverland.

These are special times! Walks on the beach at low tide, spending a few hours trying to rearrange the furniture in our cozy little living room, baking pumpkin-y things because it's fall now, "neighborhood" gatherings that turn into enthusiastic game nights...ordinary things that are oh so special. How do we fully engage and enjoy where we are now? How do we not let the looming unknown rob us of the joy of these moments now? Lots of grace. Lots of reminding each other and being reminded by wise people in our lives. Because really, in the grand scheme of things, this "next step", this whole job search thing, is rather small. It doesn't feel like it, but a healthy dose of eternal perspective forces us to remember that life is short and these present little things are actually really important because they're about relationship and community and growth and, well, lasting, God-glorifying  stuff.

In light of that, hearing today that we have another decision to make, a job opportunity that would transplant our little family in faraway Portland with the challenge of new relationships, different community, more stretching and growth...we ask that you'd pray for us, for that healthy dose of eternal perspective and the eyes to discern where God is leading. Because that's what it comes down to: our Lord knows the plans He has for us, we ask for a glorious revelation!