God's plan is best.
HIS plan is best.
GOD'S. PLAN. IS. BEST!
As the day has gone on today, I have had to remind myself of this again, and again, and again, and again . . .and...I think you get the point.
This past weekend, I was so excited for the way God was working. I could feel his presence and I KNEW without a reasonable doubt that He was working. However, today, I have let my thoughts wonder, and I have began to doubt whether he REALLY is big enough. I am thinking worldly thoughts. . . not God can do all thoughts. HE CAN DO ALL. I wish I had enough faith, to believe that at ALL times...the good, and the bad, and all the times in between. Why do I not have complete faith that God will provide the perfect job for me in his timing? I want to be a teacher, so bad. I just need to keep reminding myself that God WILL PROVIDE. The end. Thanks for listening.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A New Chapter
God's plan is better than I could have ever imagine. I could speak for hours about his awesomeness, and not just because he is being faithful to us now, but because he is always faithful. God is good. All the time. I always turn to him when I am sad or going through a hard time, but I recognize right now that I need to rely on him and trust in him all the time. Whether things are going good or whether they are not. But I see clearly now this path that God has taken us on and why. I also know that he has great plans for us in the future.
Josh began his internship at Bethel Manor, a nursing home in Evansville, IN in January of 2008. His internship lasted for a semester, and then the administrator allowed Josh to do his training to get his administrator license at Bethel. This is something that she had never done before. Josh absolutely loved Bethel Manor. When he finished his training there to get his license, he worked for a short time as the Director of Admissions at another nursing home in Evansville. After that, he got the job at Shield's House in Seymour as the administrator in March. Of course we got married in June, and then in August, I began a long term kindergarten subbing position in Jennings County. Josh would mention from time to time that if the current administrator of Bethel Manor left that he would have a hard time passing up the opportunity to at least interview for the position. I always just kind of brushed off these comments, because 1. I did not expect the current administrator to leave and 2. I was comfortable where we were. Josh kept it in the back of his mind, and in a sense I think these comments were God's way of preparing us.
One night, probably about a month ago I was sitting on the couch eating stir-fry when Josh got home later in the evening from work. He looked so drained from his current job. The pressures of his current job were sucking the life out of him. He asked me again if we would leave Seymour, if Bethel Manor came open. I gave him the same response as normal, not really expecting that this would happen.
Two days later, Josh sent me a message to tell me that the current administrator of Bethel Manor would be leaving and she would be recommending Josh to the board. I was not excited, because like I said I was comfortable. This is the moment when I really began speaking to God about it. Finally, after waiting for a few weeks, lots of prayer, and too much worry on my part, Josh turned in his resume and received a call to interview at Bethel Manor.
He was offered the job on the spot of the interview. With prayer, we knew that this was what God wanted for us. Josh accepted the position.
For the past few days, I had been looking for houses to rent. I was becoming worried and discouraged, even when in my mind, I could tell that God was telling me to sit back and leave it to him. Yesterday, I was shopping in Evansville with my friend, Bridgett. We walked into a store, and I said, "Bridgett, I just want a place to live!" (This was me, not trusting God again.) When we walked out of the store, right across from where we were was an EMGE TUCKER REALTY CENTER. I began talking to the saleswoman there about renting a house, and she told me about a Rural Housing Program where Josh and I could buy a house with no down payment, and with less pay for the month than it would cost to rent. We viewed the house, and will sign the papers to buy on Monday. It is a brand new house that will be finished being built in mid-February. Josh's last day at his current job will be February 22nd.
With everything that God is doing, I am just going to continue to trust in him. I know that he will continue working in our lives, and we will continue serving Him. I want to give Hm all the glory and continue to serve Him with my life in Evansville. The house below is what our house will look like, but the garage will be on the right side, instead of the left.
So here's to a new chapter.
Thanks for being along for the ride.
Josh began his internship at Bethel Manor, a nursing home in Evansville, IN in January of 2008. His internship lasted for a semester, and then the administrator allowed Josh to do his training to get his administrator license at Bethel. This is something that she had never done before. Josh absolutely loved Bethel Manor. When he finished his training there to get his license, he worked for a short time as the Director of Admissions at another nursing home in Evansville. After that, he got the job at Shield's House in Seymour as the administrator in March. Of course we got married in June, and then in August, I began a long term kindergarten subbing position in Jennings County. Josh would mention from time to time that if the current administrator of Bethel Manor left that he would have a hard time passing up the opportunity to at least interview for the position. I always just kind of brushed off these comments, because 1. I did not expect the current administrator to leave and 2. I was comfortable where we were. Josh kept it in the back of his mind, and in a sense I think these comments were God's way of preparing us.
One night, probably about a month ago I was sitting on the couch eating stir-fry when Josh got home later in the evening from work. He looked so drained from his current job. The pressures of his current job were sucking the life out of him. He asked me again if we would leave Seymour, if Bethel Manor came open. I gave him the same response as normal, not really expecting that this would happen.
Two days later, Josh sent me a message to tell me that the current administrator of Bethel Manor would be leaving and she would be recommending Josh to the board. I was not excited, because like I said I was comfortable. This is the moment when I really began speaking to God about it. Finally, after waiting for a few weeks, lots of prayer, and too much worry on my part, Josh turned in his resume and received a call to interview at Bethel Manor.
He was offered the job on the spot of the interview. With prayer, we knew that this was what God wanted for us. Josh accepted the position.
For the past few days, I had been looking for houses to rent. I was becoming worried and discouraged, even when in my mind, I could tell that God was telling me to sit back and leave it to him. Yesterday, I was shopping in Evansville with my friend, Bridgett. We walked into a store, and I said, "Bridgett, I just want a place to live!" (This was me, not trusting God again.) When we walked out of the store, right across from where we were was an EMGE TUCKER REALTY CENTER. I began talking to the saleswoman there about renting a house, and she told me about a Rural Housing Program where Josh and I could buy a house with no down payment, and with less pay for the month than it would cost to rent. We viewed the house, and will sign the papers to buy on Monday. It is a brand new house that will be finished being built in mid-February. Josh's last day at his current job will be February 22nd.
With everything that God is doing, I am just going to continue to trust in him. I know that he will continue working in our lives, and we will continue serving Him. I want to give Hm all the glory and continue to serve Him with my life in Evansville. The house below is what our house will look like, but the garage will be on the right side, instead of the left.
Thanks for being along for the ride.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Oh, Snow Day!
Every time there is a snow day, I begin feeling like a kid again. So let's just say that I've been feeling quite childish lately. :) I can't believe how many snowy days we've had this Winter so far. I love the way it looks outside with the snow falling onto the trees and covering the world outside our windows. It's beautiful and truly is a winter wonderland. I think the snow makes Riley crazy. He was carrying around what appeared to be a small tree earlier this morning. Oh dear! He even prepared himself for the snow by chewing up the Winter hat that my little sister gave me. Silly puppy.
I've spent my day sleeping in, cleaning, doing laundry, baking cookies, being lazy, worrying, and then praying, and chatting with friends. I am going stir-crazy here. I'm ready for my husband to come home. When he gets off, he's picking up the littles, and we're going sledding.
Happy Snow Day!
I've spent my day sleeping in, cleaning, doing laundry, baking cookies, being lazy, worrying, and then praying, and chatting with friends. I am going stir-crazy here. I'm ready for my husband to come home. When he gets off, he's picking up the littles, and we're going sledding.
Happy Snow Day!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
And the Decision Is....
For the past few weeks, I have been battling back and forth between whether I should become an AmeriCorps Member or whether I should continue to substitute teach at all of the elementary schools in Jennings County. I prayed and prayed, and was not feeling any answers. I talked to many people, and in the back of my mind, I was just wishing that someone would tell me what to do. "Natalie, you should do this, because..." I think that is what I was wanting to hear. Then it dawned on me that maybe God wasn't shouting at me, exactly what I should do, but he was speaking to me softly, telling me to serve Him regardless of what I do on a daily basis. It hit me like a ton of bricks, that my job is to serve God in all times at all circumstances. I had definitely not been doing this during subbing, so thanks God, for that reminder.
I made the choice last Monday to become an AmeriCorps member. The schedule will also be flexible enough, that I will be able to substitute teach at the ELC as well. Maybe this is why I did not hear an answer? I was praying for God to tell me which he wanted me to go with, and it turns out, I will be doing both. For those of you who don't know, the mission of Jackson County AmeriCorps is to engage AmeriCorps members in direct service and capacity-building to address unmet community needs. I will be serving as the Boys and Girls Club Outreach Program Director in Crothersville. My role will be to bring Boys and Girls club activities to an after-school program at Crothersville Elementary, a place that has never had this type of after-school program. I am so excited to give children in this community a place to go after-school and to show them that somebody cares about them. I would really appreciate your prayers and am looking forward to what God has in store for this opportunity!
This week, I will be teaching four days at the ELC. On Wednesday I will be meeting with the principal at Crothersville to finalize some details for the program. Looking forward to what God has in store for me this week. :)
I made the choice last Monday to become an AmeriCorps member. The schedule will also be flexible enough, that I will be able to substitute teach at the ELC as well. Maybe this is why I did not hear an answer? I was praying for God to tell me which he wanted me to go with, and it turns out, I will be doing both. For those of you who don't know, the mission of Jackson County AmeriCorps is to engage AmeriCorps members in direct service and capacity-building to address unmet community needs. I will be serving as the Boys and Girls Club Outreach Program Director in Crothersville. My role will be to bring Boys and Girls club activities to an after-school program at Crothersville Elementary, a place that has never had this type of after-school program. I am so excited to give children in this community a place to go after-school and to show them that somebody cares about them. I would really appreciate your prayers and am looking forward to what God has in store for this opportunity!
This week, I will be teaching four days at the ELC. On Wednesday I will be meeting with the principal at Crothersville to finalize some details for the program. Looking forward to what God has in store for me this week. :)
Monday, January 3, 2011
Hello 2011
I have to tell you, that you have a lot to live up to, because 2010 was a great year for me. I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a reading minor. This completed my four years of college in Evansville, my time as an RA for Freshman, my involvement in Student Christian Fellowship, and my life as a college student. WOO HOO! In June, I married my best friend, and moved to a new house in a new town with my husband. We went on our honeymoon to a romantic cabin in TN. I also went on vacation to Virginia Beach. I taught nineteen wonderful kindergarteners for a semester, covering a maternity leave. I loved every minute of it. I got a little sister from Big Brothers Big Sisters. I began volunteering at AWANA. In November, I lost my Mamaw to a long-drawnout battle with Huntington's disease. She is now living in Heaven with our awesome God and savior. It was sad to see her go, but I am so grateful that the disease she had on this earth no longer has control over her.
All in all, it was a great year. 2010 definitely put the cherry on top of a good year in December, when I was able to celebrate Christmas with many wonderful loved ones. Then I said good-bye to 2010 with a New Year Party celebrated with Josh, Ashlee, Robert, Chrissy, Neil, and Meaghan.
2011, I was a little weary, when it began to storm as soon as the clock struck midnight, and the tv went fuzzy. However, I will give you the benefit of the doubt that it was just a coincidence. :)
So far in 2011 God has challenged me to live better. I have been thinking a lot about this question, In the New Year, Am I continuing to be made new in Christ? I am sure it will be a question that I will ponder this year.
I won't make a resolution, but I do know, especially after the holidays that I have to start eating better and working out more. I don't mean going to the gym and just "getting the workout done." I mean really pushing myself. I want to enjoy running again, and enjoy healthy food again. I do not know where those two enjoyments went in 2010, but I intend to get them back. 2011, I hope that you will help me. This is partially my intention for this blog. To document my eating/exercise habits.
I am excited for what God has in store for me in 2011.
Your friend,
Natalie Bowman
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