Can you believe it is almost October? As I was sitting at work today I realized that we have had many life changes since this was last updated, so I though I would fill you all in.

Phil as many of you know has been working at Shoreview Community Center since he graduated back in December. We have been so grateful for this job but decided early August that he wanted to move on due to different circumstances, the major one being the hours that he worked. So Phil started applying to other jobs and we started praying that God would make it very clear what we were to do. Well, to say the least our prayers were answered very quickly… On August 20th I came home early to find Phil home when he was supposed to still be at work. For reasons we are still foggy on Shoreview laid-off Phil without notice. Though it was shocking and unbelievable frustrating, we both knew that God answered our prayers, just maybe not exactly like we would have wanted!

After our initial shock we both were reminded of how faithful God has been to us every step of the way in our lives and marriage and were able to give the situation over to God. Though I will not say we were even close to perfect it was awesome to be able to trust God with our future and know that he has the big picture.

After only two weeks of Phil being unemployed the temp company that he was working with called and said that they had an opening at a company and could Phil start the next day!! I am completely blown away by Gods complete provision of us! He started working as a temp for a company called BlackBox exactly two weeks after he was laid off from Shoreview. While Phil and I both know this is not a job he wants forever we are so grateful for a job. Phil is continuing to job search in the accounting/business field and has made some great contacts. So we continue to trust God with the future, but this is the best place we could be and it is teaching Phil and I how to lean into God more everyday and strengthening our marriage in great ways. Also with this new job he works Monday-Friday 8-5 pm! I can’t explain how amazing it has been to have the same schedule and to spend weekends together again!

As most of you know I applied and was accepted into a Masters program at Northwestern College awhile ago. Through Phil losing his job we talked a lot about where we want to be and how we would like to get there. Phil and I both came to the realization that this masters program is something that we both really wanted to do, so Phil also applied and was accepted!

We started class a few weeks ago and so far are enjoying being back in school! It is awesome to be doing this together and also know that what we are learning is going to greatly help us in the future. The program is a Masters in Organizational Leadership; it is very similar to the MBA but has a wider focus. We will both graduate May 2011, only two years!

Phil has also decided that it is time to get his CPA (certified public accountant) license. This will greatly help him with the job search and also give him more qualifications. The test is very hard and is in three or four parts that you take over the course of a few months. I know he is not looking forward to all the studying that will go into this, but will be great to have done and will help him a lot in the future!

On the home front… In August we completely remodeled our basement. We tore out existing ceiling, wiring, paneling and many other things and replaced it all with a beautiful new ceiling, walls, lights, a new stairs going down to the basement, new electrical, doors and I’m sure other things I am forgetting! As usual when Phil and I are doing a project we go at an insane pace because we both hate having things done partially! So from the date we tore out the ceiling to completion it was three weeks. My sister Emily is now renting from us and living in the new space! I will post pictures soon!

Phil and I are continually involved with our church, Eagle Brook. Though we are not able to help our with youth group any more due to grad school being on Wednesday nights, we are starting a small group of couples our same age. There are a few that we knew from college and a few we are still to meet! But we are both very excited for new friends and community with others! Since Phil’s work schedule has changed he is able to run lights again for weekend services! We are normally on the same weekend so it is awesome to serve together! This weekend we are both involved again.

Well, I believe that covers the big stuff for now, I am hoping my next post will not be quite as full of changes!

Katie