Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-CHANGES!

Well, the past month has been a month of big changes in the Koenning house on Princess Lane so let me catch you up!

For the last two months, Patrick and I have been praying for a new work opportunity for him. In all seriousness, I was praying for a "rescue mission" from the Lord. In order for Patrick to leave his current job as an over-worked, under-appreciated assistant superintendent at McCarthy either a new job would have to come miraculously fall into his lap or a new job would have to miraculously fall into mine.

So we head to Florida and pray every day for Patrick's work, we read Jesus Calling and meditate on the beach, I knew something was going to happen on this trip. By Thursday of our trip I caught a glimpse of this person I used to know - my Patrick! It was like watching a child grow up, if you're around them everyday you don't notice it the changes, but like a little nudge I realized how much Patrick needed a new job because when he let go of all that stress, he was someone else, that light-hearted laughing guy I remembered but really didn't know was gone.

I sent Patrick this verse before we left on our trip, 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it." I knew the Lord would provide but I didn't know how.

Monday after vacation was brutal. Patrick called that morning and said "I'm thirsty, there's no water out here." I thought to myself THIS IS AMERICA, what is this?! That literally brought me to my knees and I shamelessly begged the Lord for a miracle. As it turns out, He stills passes those out because by 3 o'clock that afternoon Head Start called and offered me a full time position! The next day I accepted and by Thursday Patrick had turned in his two-weeks notice. He said as he was leaving his resignation meeting, an old security guard said, "'Bout time to go ain't it?" and Patrick said "Yep, it sure is." I sometimes wonder if anyone else saw that old man - to me he was an angel of confirmation.

Now it's been two weeks and his last day is tomorrow, I leave for Guatemala on Saturday and start as a full time contractor with Head Start after I return, on the 21st. My new job as a full time employee will hopefully be squared away by August! Ain't God grand?!

I'll keep you posted about Patrick's job situation. He's taking some time while I'm in Guatemala to go home, and to Shiner. Sometimes it's easier to hear the Lord when you've gone back to your roots, I hope he has a wonderful time and the Lord works just as much through him as I hope he will through me in Guatemala.

I would also like to say thank you to my mom especially and all of our family and friends who have been praying for us. That is the best gift you could ever give us and we have seen God work mightily through your prayers and encouragement. I'm so looking forward to being in Guatemala and being in a position to watch the Lord work and know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Moses reminded the Israelites that God promises to protect them, fight for them and bless them, and as I hope you see, those promises are still living and active for us. Deut 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous... for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you."