The Journey.....

Today the full blessings of heaven have completely opened and poured upon us. 1/11/10has been the deliverance that our family,family members and ward family have been praying for.

The once salty tears of pain and worry have been replaced with salty tears of relief and gratitude. When we heard the official offer come across the telephone it was surreal. I couldn't believe that I was actually hearing the words that I so desperately sought after for 11 months and then my heart heaved and I cried out all the emotion that I kept surpressed for 11 months. I surpressed the grief of losing a job, the daunting fact of having my family rely on me for actual cash, and the grief of no longer being self sufficient. I entered into the hall closet and had a private and much needed break down. It felt good to let it out and I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders.

Each member of our family handled our journey differently. Each came through and pulled together stronger as a unit and stronger individually. I am so proud of each of them and so amazed of the spiritual giants that reside in our home. I truly feel like we have been groomed and refined. We are better and we have experienced life changes that we have learned from and that have changed and molded our characters forever.

Mr. Incredible flew out to St. Louis for an interview. He came back feeling really confident. He had told me he thought this job was his. Unfortunately, I heard these words once before and although, my heart wanted to believe but my mind refused and protected my soul from disappointment.

He had another interview previously with another company in Wilmington and they were very aggressive and positive that they liked him and wanted him to interview back. Our issue was we were coming upon the holidays, it would be hard to arrange interviews with all the executives involved. St Louis did not want to drag out the process and arranged for Mr I to be there just a few days after the first of the year. They said, they would not drag out the hiring process and when they found the perfect person for the job they would hire quickly. They were true to their word.

Mr. Incredible has averaged 2 phone interviews a month and has had 1 personal interview every 2 months. So FIVE call backs. Out of the 5 times that he was flown out to interview. THREE of those jobs are still NOT filled! The job that he flew out to Memphis for almost a year still sits UNFILLED! Another job they plan on hiring within 5 months. He is over qualified or under qualified, and few jobs were in our pay range.

This company began calling and hope was in the air. But, the emotional stress and limbo was almost enough to cause me an ulcer. Continued phone calls and then discussions were over salary, and then the relocation package, and then other incidentals. The salary went back and forth and then they settled. There is a bonus, there is a signing incentive. We had to wait an hour to see if the executives approved. He was speaking to HR.(human resources) They called back, everything was approved. ::PHEW::

Now onto the next discussion. Listening to the relocation package discussion was making my body break out into hives. Mr. I is a fair man but he is also a very good businessman and negotiator. I was getting itchy! I was panicking. We were so close to a job, and we were pushing for more than they were comfortable with. We needed more in order to make this move a good transition for our family. Inwardly, I was praying please don't blow it over the relo package, we'll take it. She had said she would have to take it back to the board and see if they approve. Once again about an hour 40 minutes go by and the phone rings. YES, relo approved. Everything that was asked for. (HUGE HUGE SUPER BLESSINGS) God has been with us minute by minute. It's like he too is listening to every fear in my heart and mind and answering it. I am overwhelmed.

With the discussions, we just had to be clear that it was indeed and offer. They said it was. They too, wanted to ensure that he did agree to the offer. Most definitely we agreed! WOOHOO WOOHOO!! However, only 98% clear and employed. One glitch, because the client he is over has such a major role they have to meet the person for the job in person. WHAT?!! It's a courtesy but they had convinced the client that after interviewing with multiple VPs and the CEO, and others that all had given Mr. Incredible the GREEN LIGHT! WOOHOO WOOHOO, we are now 99% hired!!

WHAT!!!!

Background check:: Ah, I'm not worried at all. He has a great work history. We are not involved in crime, or drugs of any sort. WE will soar through with bright colors. EEK, Mr. I informs me that they do a financial and credit check! WHAT!! Please, when can I just celebrate and breathe my first breath of freedom?? They had to check 6 references. People over him, people who worked for him and people who worked with him. They did contact all 6 references. Ok, that parts good. Now, I'm just holding my breath for the credit and pay history!! CRAP!! this is so not fair. How can we lose a job because there is no money in the bank and we have fallen 3 to 4 months behind on our bills. Can't they see we have been unemployed for almost a year! To only be behind for 4 months is GOOD, considering!

Incessant prayers have been going up to Father. Please Father. Then of course, I have a break down and become slightly angry with Mr. I. We had a discussion over things of the past. WHAT? Why am I doing this? Is this Father's one last test for me, and I'm failing it? I have been so faithful and tried so hard only to lose it here at the end! MG, check yourself and get a grip!!! The deafening sound of his phone rings and we have a 100% go.

This company is so perfect for our family and for Mr. I. I shutter to reflect on the journey that we have been through and to look to the journey we are about to embark on. WE are now ready to be a part of this company. I can't help but feel that everything has aligned that we have been conditioned to be at this moment, and at this time for this opportunity.

To have a company call Mr. I, when they shouldn't have called him back til after the holidays, to have a company and all its execs have schedules to work out to interview with him, in one day, and to have the every part of the negotiation process to be in our favor, is not chance and is not luck. Every trepidation that I have had race through my mind and every hesitation has been silenced by these negotiations. So many FB friends have told me so many good things about St. Louis, Mr. I has a HS friend who lives there and has been so helpful, we have contacted a Bishop in an area we think we would like to be, we have talked to the Stake YW pres, she offered great insight, members in our ward have served their missions there with insight. I don't see the move as a hinderance at all. So housing, and our house, check. Church, check. Schools, check. The trepidation that I have is that my children may acclamate well. That they may find great friends like the friends they have here and that they may be happy. I know Father will answer this in His time. I will remain faithful and steadfast.

We are different. We are changed. We are better. If He brings you to it, He will see you through it! I have the greatest unshakable testimony of this fact! I promise you if you remain faithful and positive never questioning or doubting but just perservering and taking each day as it comes, and being grateful for that day. You will be able to endure your trial and see the blessings through the journey. Endure endure and keep the faith! These are the principles that got me through when I felt alone, unwanted, discouraged, angry, confused and when I felt I couldn't turn to Mr. I, or my family or friends, I turned first to the Lord and in answer visited my bishop and he gave me a blessing, which quieted all feelings of inadequacy, doubt and fear. The feelings of despair are from the adversary and they were replaced by peace and an over whelming feeling of love that the Lord has for me and my family. Just what I needed to endure and carry on.

PLEASE stay tuned to next month. I will be airing out all our financial laundry. Less, the income that we are currently making. It will be like standing in public on the Biggest Loser! I could never do that and if I did, you betcha I would DROP WEIGHT!! because all of your friends and family no how much you weigh and the world sees your body. UGH!! My sister in law, GRETCHEN gave me a financial book by Dave Ramsey. Mr. I and I have begun reading it and are very motivated! 2010 begin again!
hope it doesn't sound boastful because truly I'm humbled. I just can't believe how much hope this company brings to our family. We promise the Lord we will not get side tracted with selfish wants and desires and this time use our good fortune to build Zion.

Which brings me to. Mr I said he had to get me closer to Zion or else I would never get there. (maybe, so) but if that is the case GET PRAYING because the 2nd coming is coming soon! LOL.

And yet, the journey has just begun.....I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us. Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts.