THE EVERLASTING ARMS….
So I have been thinking a lot lately about what is important in life. We moved here to Ohio from a mission where we worked for 23 years. Keith and I both had 4 weeks vacation every year, 20 sick days, 2 personal days, and hours that were sweet. When I came here as I have shared many times, I started working for a dentist and now I am Office Manager, and I get 2 weeks vacation, no sick time, but my hours are still pretty sweet, albeit many. Keith however, took up truck driving 3 years ago. We went from having desks side by side for 23 years to not seeing eachother for weeks at a time. The last job he had promised he would be home almost every night, but alas, many promises are broken. It reached a point where he was leaving us on Monday morning every week at about 4 AM and we would not see him again many times till half way thru the next Saturday. It just got to be more then we could handle. I watched his personality almost change. In 37 years of marriage I can only think of one time when he was that depressed and it was as a result of meds he was taking for pneumonia. One night my daughter Jen and I got talking after he went to bed on a Sunday night. We came to the conclusion that no money was worth his mental and physical health so we went upstairs, woke him up and told him we wanted him to give his 2 week notice, and that God would take care of us. At his job he was “encouraged” to drive more hours then were legal, and he was driving trucks that were not fit to be on the road. It felt pretty clear to us, that by having him quit, we would be honoring God because of those conditions. So Keith is now out of work, looking for a job, and in my heart of hearts, I feel peaceful and sure that God has a special job for him somewhere. One where he will be able to come home at night and live a normal life. Sometimes I feel myself getting a bit panicky, knowing that the savings will run out pretty quick and that I do not really make enough for us to make it. But I am so sure in my heart that we did the right thing that I usually quickly bounce back to realizing that God is in HIS heaven, watching out for us and loving us more then we can imagine. I am amazed at the level of peace I feel. I have spent so much of my life worrying about stuff that hasnt’ happened. I am really trying to give this thing, which is bigger then me, over to God and just rest in HIM. He promises to meet our needs, and unlike Keith’s old bosses, HE KEEPS HIS PROMISES. And meanwhile, Keith’s personality 
has returned. He is enjoying life again….I get my clothes ironed in the morning, my car warmed up on cold mornings, a home cooked meal every night, errands run during the day….things cleaned and spruced up around the house…..and I am thinking I wish we COULD make it on my incomes….SU and the dental office!! I could get used to this real fast!! Sometimes you just gotta step out there and take a risk, trusting God to see you thru. Sometimes you gotta take that step of faith and believe that HE who does not slumber nor sleep will not let your foot slip. I love and serve a God who promises to meet my needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus. You can find me leaning,,,,on the everlasting arms….because I truly believe and know in my heart that underneath and all around, are the everlasting arms!! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we truly have so much to be thankful for!! God bless you, everyone!!
Carol L
November 23, 2010Your cards are breathtakingly fabulous! I especially love the purple one! Best wishes to you and yours and I hope everything works out to your advantage!
Becky Yo
November 23, 2010Karen, my hubby is contemplating the very same thing! The stress and effects on his health are not worth it. Since he has decided to "throw down the gauntlet" so to speak, he seems lighter, happier, sleeping better. God will provide!
Cynthia <>
November 23, 2010Karen – I admire your cardmaking inspiration. And I am in awe of your faith and trust in the Lord. I know that this time of giving yourselves into God's tender hands and relying on His providence will be filled with uncertainty and perhaps a bump or 2, but your lives will have been (and already are) so very blessed in the process. Congratulations on making such a leap. And bless you for sharing with us.
Oh – in case I forget to mention why I visit your site daily….your cards are simply gorgeous too!!
Have a very Happy and truly Blessed Thanksgiving!!
God Bless you all, Cynthia <><
Anne Laflamme
November 23, 2010Wow… I love it… the colors, the details on the cards…
Bravo!!! faboulous
Sabrina
November 23, 2010I always love when I see your blog highlighted in Google Reader – I know I'll be challenged and encouraged. A few years back DH made the decision to leave his job on health grounds – he thought it was better to leave before he had a heart attack. It wasn't easy, but we came through and like Elijah and the widow, the oil never ran out. I trust it will be the same for you, and that God's word will light the way for you.
Oh yeah, the second job DH had after we got married (he lost his first one just a few months after the wedding) was driving. He said it was worse than being unemployed. And Ireland is SMALL, you can really drive anywhere and back in the same day – not always ideal.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all the family. Rejoice and be thankful.
Becky
November 23, 2010Gorgeous – gorgeous cards!. Amen to your testimony of faith. David said "I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor their children begging for bread."
Have a blessed Thanksgiving. Hugs 🙂
Ilina Crouse
November 23, 2010Love your cards, as usual. Keep up the good work and He will provide. We were in similar situation last summer (2009), I graduated (without no job) and Sean was laid off from his job at same time. On top of that the house(apartment) we were renting went under foreclosure and the bank wanted us out. Long story short. God provided, more than we could ever imagine 🙂 Hugs! And again, thank you for the GORGEOUS cards in the mail 🙂
Britiney @ Consider the Lilies
November 23, 2010What a beautiful testimony of your faith. God is so good and does promise to take care of us. Whenever my husband or I start to worry about "earthly" things, the other one reminds us to "Consider the Lilies." God clothes them in such splendor and promises to do the same for us, and he IS faithful to keep his promises. Thank you for sharing your faith here today and I pray that God will do a mighty work in your family because of your faithfulness. God Bless!
Wanda Cullen
November 23, 2010Karen, your cards are over the top GORGEOUS…both of them!! Even more beautiful is your testimony and faith! Yes, God will open a bigger and better door for your DH…and He will truly watch over you! Hugs and prayers to you as you await His plan!
Julia Aston
November 23, 2010Two lovely cards Karen – sounds like you are going through a lot right now – and also like you've made the correct choices – I'll keep you in my prayers and wish you a lovely Thanksgiving with your family…
jovialjudi
November 23, 2010Karen I am sending you and yours wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving! I love your heartfelt posts my dear and I would have to agree about just turning this one over to God. Our son and his wife are going through something so very similar and we too were so happy to find they realized all the money in the world is not worth your health and happiness. We feel as you do…there is something out there for Andrew and we just have to be patient and trust in the Lord. God Bless and Huge HUGS!!!! Love ya gf!!! Judi
Dawn B.
November 23, 2010Beautiful write up Karen..Straight from your sweet heart. I know that God will help you through all of this. Huge hugs to you and I am so glad that things "feel" better for him..I will keep you in my prayers.
Carol Dee
November 24, 2010Happy Thanksgiving. I will add your DH to my prayers for a GOOD job sooner than later! Big Hugs… (And as always the cards are really pretty!)
Margie
November 24, 2010How true your words are. God will take over when we let go. Best wishes and Happy Thanksgiving.
Vicki Dutcher
November 25, 2010Both cards are outstanding as usual~~ love your work – oh yeah – I am getting that folder..yay!! Happy Tday with your family!!
Anonymous
November 25, 2010we have a good God — congratulations on taking the courage to see what he has chosen for you next! Happy Thanksgiving!!
myartistry
November 30, 2010Hi Karen,
I'm so glad my friend sent me a link to your blog, what beautiful designs and color schemes you use! What I really wanted to share though is that our family has also been where you are and I so-ooo understand what it feels like to feel like the money truely does not compensate for the loss of time together. A favorite quote that hangs in my husbands home office is "Never be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life."
God answered our prayers and we work from home together. Through the word of God we know He knows our situation and desires to provide for us as we trust Him. We've seen God work in our behalf and are confident he will do it in your behalf as well. I'll keep you two in prayer 😉
Warmly,
Carol
kari leach
November 30, 2010Karen,
I just love your blog. Thanks for keeping your faith, it makes mine stronger too! AND thanks for making such beautiful cards. You are an inspiration!!!
jcasto4
November 30, 2010Beautiful cards (as always – you are an inspiration). Thank you for sharing your talent and your story from your heart. You did what you know is right and it will all work out – sending you warm hugs for the holiday season.
Michele
Francie G.
November 30, 2010Your cards are gorgeous, Karen! What a beautiful testiment of your faith, Karen! You are truly an inspiration! Thank you for that! Blessings and hugs!
Anonymous
November 30, 2010I love your cards! My daughter lost her job a few years ago because they ran out of finances – she said there must be a reason! Well, the reason being her children loved being at home! Then she started selling Stampin' Up! One door closes, God opens another!
Take Care! The best to you!
Judy Rozema
December 14, 2010Oh Karen, I am thinking of you all. After reading your post, I know that you did the right thing for your family and that God will be glorified through it all. Blessings to all of you.
Oh, and your cards????? Showing your God-given talent – they are stunning!
TrishG
December 22, 2010Absolutely beautiful cards, Karen!
I know that you can trust God too, because we have been in situtations like that and it reminds you that God provides and he's really the one who gives it in the first place (not our efforts).
Debbie's World
December 30, 2010OK Karen, I need to share with you that our family was in almost the same boat when my children were very little. I was a SAHM and my husband was laid off after we asked the Lord for direction with his job. LOL. So we had 3 children under the age of 10, no income, no savings, only his severance pay. We had just bought a new car, being led of the Lord to save and buy it outright rather than take out a loan. What joy knowing that we didn't have payments to make, the car was ours. Anyway, just about a week or two before the money would have run out, he got a job. As you said, he always keeps his promises and He is faithful. I will keep you in my prayers.