Life's been trucking away around here. A friend of mine, that I don't see very often anymore, mentioned a while ago that she knew I must be busy because I hadn't done a blog post in quite a while. Boy was she right! I mentioned in an earlier post about substitute teaching a lot in December, well it didn't stop in January. Actually, I subbed even more in January. 15 out of the 18 days of school in January I was teaching. So with all that time spent at the school and coming home to my many mommy duties, I have not had any time for blogging, but my schedule is opening up significantly here in February so I thought I better sit down and record the miracles that have been graciously placed at the Gunnell Family's doorstep.
My mind has been caught up recently with thoughts of Heavenly Father's love for me and my family. It seems that recently my humble prayers have not only been answered but that my cup overfloweth. I don't want anyone out there to think that I'm begging for pity with my outpourings here, I just want to remember how I feel right now. How we've struggled and how miraculous a gift prayer is.
It is no secret that horticulturists don't make the big money. Most people, if they even know what a horticulturist is, would ask what can you do with a degree in that? Well, in all honesty, not much. JayDee is brilliant at his chosen field and we are lucky to work USU Extension. County agent jobs are few and far between and it's about the only job out there that feels like it was tailor made for JayDee. But with that said, Extension is not the job for you if want to have a very comfortable lifestyle without financial struggles on one income. It was important for us, when we started a family that I stay home and raise our children. So the financial burden of supporting a family rested solely on JayDee. He has always taken this role very seriously and worked harder than most to support us. This has meant a lot of time away from us. Which hasn't always met with appreciation here at home (namely me). It wasn't that I was mad at him for always working but more that I was frustrated that no matter how hard he worked our money woes, if you will, never got any better. Was there any relief in sight? For years, it seemed that the answer was always no. We didn't wallow in self-pity. We did the best we could, lived our lives and exercised a lot of faith and most importantly always acknowledged God's hand when he picked us up and made up the difference.
For years, we've prayed for our burdens to be lightened, for some opportunity that would make all the difference. To kill the suspense right now, nothing like that has happened. What has happened is that Heavenly Father, knowing us and loving us as a perfect father does, has opened the windows of heaven. Did we win the lottery we didn't enter? No. Did a wealthy relative die and leave us a large inheritance? No. We've received something better. A true, complete and unshakable testimony that our Great Creator, the God of the whole universe, our Father knows us individually (Allison and JayDee) and loves us, imperfections and all. What is important to us, is important to Him. No matter what it is.
Is this new news to me? No. Have I always "known" this? Yes. But when it is made undeniably clear by the power of the Holy Ghost it's like a whole new truth. It connects the mind and heart and a sure testimony is born. I am so grateful. Heavenly Father has really blessed us lately and it has been so clear to us that it has been as if the heavens opened and we could literally see God's hand come right out of the sky and lay a blessing at our feet.
One of these blessings, is that since JayDee has been working for Extension, he has been on what is called the tenure track. A five year probationary track to prove yourself. The University gives you five years to do a whole list of things, publications, program development, research, etc. to prove your commitment and worth to the University. If, after the five years, you have proven yourself to multiple committees, colleagues and university officials you are granted tenure. Which in essence means that you will always have a job. Tenure also comes with a promotion and raise in pay. Like I mentioned, JayDee has been working his tail off and because of the stellar job he has done he was granted the opportunity to go up for tenure a year early, 4 years instead of 5. He has sailed through every phase of the tenure process so far and although official word hasn't been given yet, I am confident that he will earn tenure and our family will be that much better off. Heavenly Father heard us. He expected work from us but we gave it and he is blessing us. Did it come quickly? No. All in due time. We didn't give up and neither did Heavenly Father. I am so grateful.
Another undeniable blessing: This past October JayDee was informed of an opportunity through work to go on a trip to Holland in April. Holland?! Really? JayDee couldn't believe it. 18 years ago JayDee served his mission in Holland and Belgium. All our married life we have talked about going back. It was never a question of "if" but always a "when." As amazing as this opportunity seemed, it was terrible timing for us. JayDee didn't want to go without me and I didn't want him to go without me either, and even though work would pay for JayDee, if I wanted to go we would have to come up with that money on our own. How could we make this happen? I had no idea. We don't even have $1 to save at the end of a month. How could we save enough to send me on a trip overseas? It seemed impossible. We toyed with the idea that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that we couldn't pass up. We'd just pay for it with a credit card. That option just didn't feel right to me. How could we possibly think of making our family's financial situation even worse for a trip, even if the trip would be amazing and so meaningful to both of us. I just couldn't do it. So we decided that if we couldn't save the money to go, I wouldn't go. The only thing we knew we could do to possibly even have a chance at making this work was to get on our knees and pray. So that's exactly what we did. We prayed specifically for the opportunity to work. We didn't expect Heavenly Father to miraculously make us rich. We asked for another kind of miracle, give us the opportunity to earn the money we need.
Within days, the calls started coming. I have subbed for 2 1/2 years. It's been very hit and miss. I signed up to sub because it was a very flexible option for bringing in a little extra money and it was teaching, which I love. In the past 2 1/2 years I have never had as many job opportunities as I have had in these past 2 months. I would be at the school for one teacher one day and have 2 other teachers stop me in the halls and ask me to sub for them other days. I actually spent 2 solid weeks in one class. I just couldn't believe the miracle that I was witnessing. I just kept thinking, "Is this really happening?" The best part about it is that going to Holland is not a requirement to enter the Celestial Kingdom. It is in no way, shape or form a saving ordinance and a trip to Holland won't even make me a better person, so why does Heavenly Father even care? Because, what's important to me, is important to Him. I'm his daughter and he wants me to be happy. I was humble enough to ask, I had faith enough to believe and he saw fit to give me this very meaningful gift. I am so grateful.
He not only brought jobs my way but also provided a way for my Isaac to be taken care of while I am away. I have the best neighbor who graciously watches him. He is well cared for and loves being there, which makes dropping him off not hurt me so much. Another blessing I am grateful for.
All these answers have come about so quickly it seems it makes me wonder what we did wrong before. I obviously know the answer to that is nothing. This just must be our time. Heavenly Father knows what we need and when we need it. I guess that's what enduring to the end is all about. Work hard, do your best, have faith and pray continually and it will come. He is always there waiting for us to come to Him. He won't infringe upon our agency so we must ask. It's an astonishing, amazing and miraculous truth. I'm grateful to know it.
