Another application

I put in my application at the Milan and Berlin Heights libraries. Both of them are hiring (one part-time, one full time). We'll see how it turns out.

Our Christmas Letter

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Chirstmas rrr Nothing....

As many of you no doubt know I(Marshall) work at Macy's a Department store celebrating it's 150 birthday. But one thing struck me as a bit odd. If Macy's has been around for 150 years, a clear sign of having had some measurable amount of success. Why are they playing Politically Correct Christmas songs, did I miss something is or is not Christmas about the birth of Jesus Christ. It seems logical to me that is you acknowledge the existence of Christmas, shouldn't you also acknowledge the existence of Christ; or is that asking to much. Why is it so hard for people to acknowledge the existence of Jesus Christ. Seriously, why are you celebrating Christmas, if you don't celebrate Christ? Is there some magic "winter holiday" where we all exchange gifts? Why is there not a summer holiday where we can exchange gift, what about fall or spring? What makes winter different if there is no Christmas?

I just don't get it? Play a Christmas carol, instead of "I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus" . Either Christ existed and that should be celebrated or we celebrate nothing....

The Job

So, I didn't get the job at Firelands College. After waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting I finally got a letter in the mail today saying that they had hired someone and it wasn't me. I kind of had a feeling that was going to happen since it has taken so long for them to get back to me. I guess God has something else in mind for me. Thank you for those of you who have prayed for me, I appreciate it.

Snow

What we woke up to this morning:
Can't believe we had this much snow this early in the snow season! It made for a slow drive to work/school today. About 98% of the roads were covered with ice. Not fun!

Florida is looking better and better all the time.

Not much of a day off

Why is it that on my "days off" I end up working harder then I do at work?

Take today for example, Marshall's grandfather is making his way to Florida and wants to stay with us for a couple of days. I love having people here, so that's not the issue. The issue is that I feel the need to make sure that my house is clean when we have company here (especially those spending the night). So I'll spend all day cleaning my house and cooking for the weekend, which is more physical work then I do in a week between my two jobs.

I guess in the end it's not a big deal because I'm at home (which I LOVE) and my house ends up cleaner then it was (wish it could stay that way!).

How is God working in you?

For those of you who are interested, I haven't heard anything about the job at BGSU that I interviewed for last month. Don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Just trying to wait patiently until I hear.

On a different note, a couple/few weeks ago my supervisor came in my office and said that she had bad news. I thought, "I really hope I'm not losing my job." Thankfully, she didn't say that. She did, however, say that HR has cut off paying intermittent employees holiday pay. It was kind of a fluke that I was getting it anyway. In general intermittent's don't get this benefit, but ODNR is one of the only Department's that were authorized to pay it. Well, not anymore. The State is cutting the budget in just about every area as well as laying people off, so this did not come as a suprise to me. When I didn't get mad or upset about this news, she was very suprised and said, "Wow! You took that really well. If it were me I'd be really mad." Now, I'm not writing this to elevate myself in any way. I'm saying it because it shows how the power of God works in your life. I knew that whatever news came out of her mouth couldn't be that bad. Yeah, I'm a little disappointed and it inconveniences me because I have to come in on a different day to make up those hours, but overall it's not that big of a deal. In response to her shock I simply said "Well, I can't do anything about it so why get upset about it?" If God was not a part of my life I'm sure my response would have been the same as her's, but because of Him I can honestly say that I'm fine with it and He can have the glory because of it.

Job Interview

So I had my job interview at BGSU Firelands today. I think it went pretty well. I was pretty nervous this morning. As the time grew closer I got more and more nervous. On my way there I popped a CD in the player and started singing just to get my mind off of my nervousness.

I got there a little early, but Deb came out right away to meet me in the lobby. There were some papers to fill out, so I did that and wasn't nervous that point. However, when I was done with the paperwork and walked in the interview room I became a little more nervous. There were 4 people interviewing me (which I had prepared myself in advance for). Please don't ask me the names of the other 3 interviewers because I don't remember. Anyway, they had a whole list of questions for me to answer and took turns asking them. I'm so thankful that my dad called me earlier in the morning to ask if I had prepared for the interview because if I hadn't prepared myself I would have totally bombed~I just know it! THANK YOU, DAD! I spent a good 1.5 to 2 hours going over the job description and comparing my experience to what they were looking for. It was amazing how easy it was to answer the experience/situation questions when you have the answer fresh in your mind. Can you tell how long I've been out of school??? Once I got in there and was answering questions I wasn't so nervous (it always happens that way), and I think I did pretty well. The thing that concerns me is that I don't have enough PeopleSoft database education/experience. That could really hurt me at this point depending on the experience of the other candidates. But I can't worry about that right now. I've done what I needed to do, I've put myself out there, and took a chance. I'm so thankful that it's always been God's hands!

They told me that they should have a decision by Wednesday afternoon, but because of the paperwork they have to send to Main Campus they may not be able to tell me for a couple of weeks. I'll keep you updated~keep praying I guess!

Anyway, I just want to say "THANK YOU" for praying for me today. I could feel it!

My Flickr

just wanted to let everyone know about my Flickr, I'll try to update it regularly. I'm still in the process of getting my sets set up and uploading pics in general.

So bear with me.

Marshall's Flickr

So Long

I can't believe it's been a month since either of us have posted on here. I guess we've been busy or something.

I don't have to work at the Rec until 4 today, but I'm going to leave early so that I can walk the track. I'm hoping to walk for an hour, but we'll see. It's been a long time since I've done anything physical so I'm sure I'm going to be hurting, but I really need to get out there again.

I've not been feeling like myself lately which is probably why I haven't been on here in so long. I've felt better the last couple of days, and am praying that God will continue to change my heart and attitude so that I don't feel so bad anymore.

Just curious

To the person who voted in our poll~ We'd like to know why you don't think it's wise for us to move to Gainesville. Comment us on this blog~you don't have to leave your name if you don't want. If anyone else has a reason why we should or shouldn't move we like to hear them as well. Like I've said before~this is a huge move for us/me (Katie), and need all the wisdom/advice we can get. Can't wait to hear from you!

Bills. Money. Sad.

Just wanted to ask you to pray for us. We received a letter regarding the claim we filed with the Sandusky Mall. Their insurance company didn't find them liable for Marshall falling in their parking lot earlier this year (even though he slipped on ice). So that means that we have to pay for all the medical bills that have been stacking up. We don't have the money for this. Please pray that we'll know what to do (if anything), and that God will provide. A couple of our other monthly bills will be going up next month and we're not making any more money to pay for the additional expenses. I'm getting frustrated, and as I write am beginning to cry because I don't want to struggle like this anymore. Why do things have to be so hard?

Ah Ha Moment

I had an "ah ha" moment this evening. Anyone who knows us very well knows that we've had a lot of ups and downs with our finances. Seems like there have been more downs then ups, but that's not the point of this blog.

I was talking to God this evening about why I worry so much about our bank account balance. God spoke to my heart that my fear isn't that God won't provide (I know He will provide because He has before) my fear is in myself. My fear is that I will make a mistake with what we have been given. A couple of years ago I made a STUPID purchase. I mean the largest (not including our vehicle), dumbest purchase I've ever made. I felt instantly guilty for making that purchase, and I don't know if I've really forgiven myself. I've just tried to forget about it and move on.

Lately I've been feeling panicky about buying groceries and things we actually need. I'm driving myself crazy every time I go to pay our bills. Trying to figure out what we can cut out or cut back on. We have two ministry oriented things that we support every month (not including tithe). Just yesterday the thought ran through my mind that I need to stop feeling guilty and just drop those things and free up about $50 a month to put toward paying down our debt. But God very obviously and very physically told me that that's not what we need to cut out. When I got home from work there were letters in the mail from both of the people we support. That can't be ironic that has to be God!

Please pray for me that I can get over this fear and that we will make better decisions with what God gives us. We have some big decisions coming up, and I think that we need to start making better decisions with what we have now so that we can make better decisions later.

Haircut. Finally!

For those of you who haven't seen Marshall in awhile, his hair has gotten a little out of control. Well, he finally let me cut it (he helped a little). I had to cut the majority of it off with scissors, then he looked like a cancer patient.

Progression of haircut (June 28, 2008)...

BEFORE

DURING

& AFTER:

Anyone need a wig?

Check out our Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/people/mkcade/

It's just got some test photos I uploaded by we will add more.

And if you're on twitter just search for Marshall Cade on twitter.com

I long for a simplier time....1953

For a long time now, I have been fascinated with the idea of living my life in one solitary year, why, you ask? Because I think it would be neat, 1953 is a year which has always held much interest for me. I don't know why exactly, but I have long fantasized about living in 1953, no real special reason; I just want to live in 1953. I wasn't alive in 1953, I wasn't born till 25 years later, but I just think it would be amazing, if I could leave today, 2008 and go back to 1953. Taking nothing with me, leaving everything here, just so that I could start anew.

Now I know that the actual 1953 is probably much different then what I'm picturing in my head as I compose this but, seriously who wants to pay 4 dollars a gallon for gas, not me. There are enough things about today that drive me nutty, and believe me if you gave me the choice to stay here or go back to oh say 1953, I think I'd choose 1953.

Yes, I not that 1953 had it's problems like the fact that Joesph Stalin was still alive and that there was still segregation in the south. But there were also no computers, no internet, no cell phones, and no video games. Anyone who knows my well knows that I love my computer, internet and video games, but I think it would be well worth for me to give them up, if I could escape the today's new media, the rapists and the just plan old bad people there are in this world.

I know 1953 was not great or anything like that, but it's gotta be better that most of the stuff we put up with in today's world.

What were you doing two years ago today?

I remember very well what I was doing. Two years ago today my parents house flooded. Can you believe that it has been two years ago!? What a crazy day that was! When I have more time I'll write about that, but today I just wanted to write a little something as a reminder.

My mom refers to this day as an Ebenezer day. I went to www.bible.com and looked up Ebenezer. This is the verse/s that are pertinent to what she means:

1 Samuel 7:12:

^{10 -12} While Samuel was offering the sacrifice, the Philistines came within range to fight Israel. Just then God thundered, a huge thunderclap exploding among the Philistines. They panicked—mass confusion!—and ran helter-skelter from Israel. Israel poured out of Mizpah and gave chase, killing Philistines right and left, to a point just beyond Beth Car. Samuel took a single rock and set it upright between Mizpah and Shen. He named it "Ebenezer" (Rock of Help), saying, "This marks the place where God helped us." (taken from The Message Bible, emphasis mine).

We first learned about this concept in a Beth Moore Bible study, and it stuck! Today Mom was going to go down to the creek and get a rock to plant in her garden as a reminder of what God helped them overcome during that time. What a mighty God we serve! I don't know how we would have gotten through that time without a faith in the one true God or have a relationship with Jesus or without a church family who was always there to help. Thank you!

Thank you

Just want to say thank you to those of you who read our blog, and let us know. I know life is crazy hectic for most of us, and you taking the time to check in on us is much appreciated.

I'm so glad that this week is over, and that I'm starting a new schedule. I worked 58 hours for each of the last two weeks. Yes, I said 58 hours. I'm so looking forward to having some free time. :) Needless to say I'm not going anywhere on Tuesday. I told Mar that I'm only going to do what I want on Tuesday, nothing else! So if I feel like watching TV all day...that's what I'm going to do!

A couple of things to praise God for:
- Getting through the last two weeks!
- Possible job opportunity!
- Notice that the VA is going to pay for Mar's school this summer, and that the payment is nearly twice what we need to pay the bill!
- Mar's dad getting through emergency kidney surgery, and not having to be on dialysis.

Things to pray for:
- Either another part-time job for me (even though I need a break, we also need money) or find a full-time job.
- That Mar will do well in his classes.
- Mar's dad, Greg ~ healing for his kidneys. He's lost a lot of weight, is in pain at times, and hasn't been eating/being able to keep anything down.

Thanks, Friends!

I'm nervous

I'm working like crazy right now. Between this week and next, I'll have worked about 108 hours. It'll be a nice check, but the week after that I go back to working part-time. It will be nice to have more time off, but I'm getting nervous about how we're going to pay our bills. I've been looking in the paper everyday for something that might work, but haven't had much luck. A couple of months ago I submitted an application for an additional part-time job, but two days after I submitted the application I got a letter in the mail saying that they had filled the position. I have a feeling that someone had an "in".

I know I need to be relying on God more for the money we need to pay our bills. It's funny how He works. The last two weeks He has confirmed that He's in control, yet I still have moments where I panic. Two weeks ago I was worried about paying our rent. That day I got home from work, and there was the rent check sitting on the table. This week I was worrying about paying our bills in general. That same day I got home from work, and Marshall said that his GI Bill money was approved and is almost twice what we expected for this semester. How awesome is that?!

Please pray that I will be able to give this specific thing over to Him every time I start to panic.

I'm sick of the cold!

So . . . it is cold here in Ohio, and I'm sick of it!

Marshall and I were in Florida last week at this time, and I have to say that I wish we were back there right now. We had a great, relaxing time while we were gone. We got to see a lot of family. I'll write more about our trip later. We were suppose to come back on Monday, but our flight was canceled due to maintenance. Delta put us up in a hotel and gave us food vouchers since we didn't end up leaving until early Tuesday morning. The closer we got to OH the colder it got. Yuck! I'm ready for it to be warm!!!