Tag-Archive for » Job «

The Key Saga

13
May
2012
Category: Dvora, Scripture Meditations  Tags: ,  2 Comments

The day got off to a rather disconcerting start. I wanted to walk to work, even though I was late (I’d just missed the bus as well), and halfway to work, I realized I’d forgotten my time card. No problem; it’s happened to me before and I could write in my hours. But as I approached my office, I realized, oops, I also forgot the key to my office.

No problem, the administrative assistant to my boss has an extra key. But no, she didn’t. She handed me three piles of keys to try. I went through them all, several times. I finally found the key to the office next to mine, which has a connecting door. So, I was able to get into the office, turn on my computer, and discover I was late for a meeting (late to work, time spent looking for key…), and so the day progressed. And I don’t know how many people wanted to discuss things with me. I had to keep unlocking the office next to mine to let people in.

Finally, the other woman I share the office with arrived… she had a key… and I was able to get in and out of the office without difficulty.

But it made me realize… we cannot live our lives on borrowed keys or side doors. And the circuitous route I had to travel to get in the office… What if I lived my life like that? What if my relationship with God was like that?

So the busy lost key day also makes me thankful for a direct relationship with God my Savior… and the best part is, I can’t lose Him because HE will never let me go!

Cold Inspiration

02
Dec
2011
Category: Dvora, Grief, Poetry  Tags: , ,  2 Comments

When I married Rich and returned to the States to live, I experienced real snow and cold for the first time in years. Brrrr. I think I’m only half-joking when people ask me why I came to Israel and I replay, “for the weather!”

It gets chilly here in Israel, but not that bone chilling cold that not even a heater can warm up. And what does that have to do with anything?

I was visiting a website and there was a poetry challenge, so I thought I’d try. The challenge? To write a poem beginning with “and the adornment of ice.” Now there’s a challenge. I remember kidding Rich, “You have to admit, the first snow IS beautiful,” and he would grumpily reply with a contradictory smile, “No I don’t.”

But the awe and wonder of God’s creation really hit me when I saw the movie, “The March of the Penguins.” If you haven’t seen it–do. You will never view snow, ice, cold, or penguins the same again. I was in awe at how God created this amazing animal and gave it the ability to survive the terrible cold of Antarctica. But it was also heartbreaking to watch the penguins grieving over a broken egg or a baby penguin killed by exposure to the forces of nature. If these animals grieve, how much more then, do we?

But all this is from God, who knows what He is doing. So, to write my poem, I looked up the word “ice” in the Bible, and found a few interesting references. All of which reminded me of a powerful, omnipotent, and loving creator. If he can enable the penguins to stand before His cold, He can enable us to stand before all He allows to come our way. And my heart is comforted yet again by God’s word.

Hope you enjoy this poem and may you find comfort in the God of Creation.

 

The Adornment of Ice

And the adornment of ice
by God’s breath is given.
Broad waters frozen fast,
the frost of heaven,
and snow hidden crevices.

“Who can stand before His cold?”
the Psalmist asks.

But I have seen the penguins dance
In birthing ballet
A dance more rigorous than human labor
Their very bodies shielding from
cold crystals hurled like crumbs.

With Job
I lay my hand on my mouth
and adore.

(with inspiration from Job 6:16, Job 37:10, Job 38:29 and Psalm 147:17)

Just to be Clear…

10
Jun
2011
Category: Dvora, Israel  Tags: , ,  One Comment

A few people wrote that they were not sure what was going on with me… so I thought I’d write this quick update. I have signed a contract to begin work, sometime in August, at a local hospital as their English Editor for Critical Documentation. I have also found a place to live from Aug-Feb one block from the hospital!

I have friends who have been looking for work for over 2 years, and am very grateful to the Lord for opening these good doors for me. So, on June 30 I leave Israel to return to the US and pack up my things, see my family, say goodbye, and then head back to Israel in August. The job includes 4 weeks paid vacation a year… so I’m hopeful to be able to visit.

I have to admit, the timing is not deliberate, but does seem weird to me… Rich and I had our religious wedding here in Israel on August 10, 2007; he went to be with his savior on August 16, 2010, and in August 2011, I’ll be returning to Israel to live… all to show that the cliches are true: reality is stranger than fiction… and my reality is not as strange as many of the stories I’ve heard from others who have come here to live.

Today is a special day as well: my second god-child, Noa, is being making her public commitment of faith by immersion today! She was hoping I could be here for this day…

So much to be thankful for… she also likes the song, “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns, so I’ll be singing that today for her… and agree totally with the ending… Whom shall I fear? And the answer… No one, because I belong to my Lord, and He IS good!

Thanksgiving 2009

25
Nov
2009
Category: Dvora, Family, Life in Michigan  Tags: , , , , , , , , ,  One Comment

Well, this is my third Thanksgiving in Michigan. My first one here was rushed, hectic, noisy, chaotic, and nice (except for when Guay puked on our bed and we had to go to a laundromat at 11 pm on Thanksgiving to clean the sheets). My second Thanksgiving was a bit more laid back and cold!

This Thanksgiving seems like tradition has set in. The menu was easy to decide upon. I sat with Andrea and we talked about what we “usually” do and decided what would be enough and who is fixing what. I’ve started the preparations, the shopping is done, most of the family will be here… and I’m looking forward to a special day of giving thanks and being thankful for God’s goodness to us.

I keep saying I’m going to write more, and then I never do. Seems like it’s jumps and spurts. I want to keep this site going and get more information on it as well. I just seem to get sidetracked. Don’t know that anyone is really interested in my writing, but I’ll be adding a new collection of short stories (if you are interested). If you enjoy the stories (or any of my other writings on the site), please leave a donation as an encouragement for me to keep writing.

As far as the rest of life, I’m still looking for full-time work, but very thankful for the two small jobs I have right now via ODesk.com. I was on their top 25 technical writers for the month of October and hopeful this will bring me more clients needing quality documentation.

I applied for a job here in Michigan. They would be interested in me, if I was willing to work for slightly more than minimum wage. But I make more on Odesk than that salary would have paid–and would have been twice as busy and working twice as hard!

But this is Michigan:

  • There are 10 states in the US facing bankruptcy. Michigan is one of them.
  • While national unemployment is at 10.1% (Oct. 2009), Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the US at 15.1%. This rate does not include people who no longer qualify for unemployment benefits or never qualified for them.
  • In October 2009, Michigan reported the highest increase in unemployment (hey, I get to contribute to the November statistic, what will it be?)

Data taken from United States Bureau of Labor Statistics

So why am I thankful and for what?

I am thankful for:

  • The God of creation who is my God, and my Lord and my Savior Yeshua HaMashiach
  • The amazing salvation I have in Yeshua
  • Promises from God that no one can take away
  • A wonderful husband who loves God and loves me
  • This very special family where God has planted me
  • That each month, despite the ups and downs, we’ve been able to pay our bills

I was reading in my Bible this morning and realized that I had not thought a lot about one very special promise from Yeshua.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matt: 11:28-29

I realized as I reread this that it is not rest for my body, but rest for my soul that I need. Elsewhere, we are encouraged not to be anxious for anything, but to bring all our requests to our Father in heaven. (Phil. 4:6). God promises to meet ALL our needs, but He still wants to hear ALL our requests. And as I lay these in His hands, I do indeed find peace for my soul.

This world challenges our hope. It seeks to choke it out. But for those of us who have placed our hope in the Creator of the Universe, we have an anchor to hang on to in every storm. Our hope cannot be moved because HE cannot be moved.

Blessed Thanksgiving to you all!

No News IS Good News

14
Oct
2009
Category: Dvora  Tags: ,  One Comment

Well, this is just a quick update to let you know that my temporary job was extended to the end of October. Needless to say, I’ve been quite busy between work, home and life, and simply have had no time to really post anything of substance here.

So many good things happening, changes in our girls hearts, the Lord meeting our needs, Rich is starting to feel a bit better – some days better than others – but overall doing better slowly but surely. I got a haircut and so did Rich, he shaved off his beard (I don’t have one to shave off), Guay got a bath and is now flee-less but one of the girls has scratch marks to prove Guay really did get a bath. The furnace is back to regular use with temperatures falling and talk of snow by the end of the month.

In the meanwhile, I’m enjoying the autumn leaves and thankful to God for His goodness towards us.

« Previous Entries