His Plan...for us :)

I wanted to write when my hands were free...they aren't free but this little munchkin next to me won't give me up...so we'll see what I can write :)

So, since March 14th we've been praying and trying...fasting and hoping for Svend to get a residency. Instead of a residency, we got a "failed boards" letter... so, forced to put off the search for a residency and began praying and fasting for a passing boards score (grateful for our tax return that paid the $900 tab on that :). Svend was given 2 weeks off to study...but instead of studying, he was stuck at home with the 3 bigger kids because Brooklyn came and then she and I had to spend another week in the hospital so she could get better. This began our "we've done all we can do and it's not working... so it's YOUR turn Heavenly Father" phase. Passed boards (whew) and began the search again...

Svend got an interview in VA and the day before he left, he got a phone call from a local residency. He didn't have to chance to call them until after he'd interviewed with VA and offered the spot. Comparing the two, the local one was the better choice, so we told VA "no." He gave the local one a verbal "yes." Then, the day after he'd returned from VA he was offered a spot in NY. Comparing the two, the local one was better. He signed his contract 3 days later...

Began searching for housing. Most residents around the country begin July 1st (ish) so we had a few weeks and our house was all packed up for the most part... He then learned he had to begin on June 20th! AHHHH!!!! moment of freakout. Plus, just because he's getting paid, does NOT mean we have enough for our means and can afford much...

All the housing we could afford was in bad parts of the city--no thanks. So, he found out that our current city was within pager distance and we could stay near where we are... but not cheap housing.... except the one we're in...the one we gave notice on...the one who's basement flooded and isn't getting fixed til July... but this is where our friends are, this is where the schools are WONDERFUL... so I called our landlord and she said...

WE COULD STAY--SAME RENT AND EVERYTHING!!!

this is why it was ok that:

Boards were failed and our search was delayed

he got a LAST MINUTE residency

we couldn't find cheap housing

Brooklyn came early

now, if this was the plan all along, why couldn't Heavenly Father have just told us this so we wouldn't stress??? I'll tell you why...

Because of this trial we, as a family, spent more time on our knees in prayer than ever before. We fasted with real purpose. We have been able to use this as teaching moments with our kids... with each step:

"Heavenly Father blessed daddy to pass his test, do you think he can bless daddy to get a job?"

"Heavenly Father helped daddy to get a job, do you think he can help you to find your special toy?" etc.

In return for our striving to follow the commandments EXTRA good, Heavenly Father blessed us with faith. Sometimes our faith wavered, but someone in our family always had a strong hold. Someone could always see the light at any given time.

I testify that Svend getting a residency last minute, was not a coincidence. It came "after the trial of [our] faith." The day before we learned of his job, our knees were worn. We prayed specifically and reminded the Lord all we'd been through and all that we felt was promised. Heavenly Father HEARD OUR PRAYERS and answered them in an EXTREMELY SPECIFIC way.

He lives. He loves us. I promise.