September 26, 2013

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES...

door
So, on Monday night I got a call.

A good call.

You guys, I'm employed. Like, really and truly and amazingly employed. I have a job, like a real full-time job. Like, I'm an adult (a concept I'm obviously still working on grasping). But most importantly, I'm working at the workplace of my dreams. It's really and truly a blessing and a prayer answered just as He saw fit.

But before I continue, I need to clear the air. It's tough for me to write these kinds of posts because when I put myself in your shoes--no matter who you are and what you're doing--I know it's easy to compare stories, feel envious, and wonder where God is in your life as I go about prancing and rejoicing and dancing around like a giddy teenager. How do I know this, you ask? Well, let's just say, I've all too often been the reader in these situations. I've heard about other people's engagements, job offers, and pregnancies and I know how hard it is to be cheerful when deep down you are not.

But I want to write this post because I've been learning that I need to give God more praise. I've been learning it in my devotionals, at my church, and during my prayers. It's not for me, but all for Him.

So I pray that this post doesn't make you envious but lets you see that God is good. God's plans are perfect, and God's love for you never fails.

Even if you doubt it for the slightest millisecond. 

So what am I doing now? Enjoying the season I took for granted six months ago. Learning to savor every moment and praise God for His faithfulness. This past season was tough (extra emphasis needed). I practiced patience (more often, impatience), I learned to depend on Him, and I learned that His plans for me are always good.

Always.

So I want to thank each and every one of you for the prayers, for the encouragement, and for the kind words you've written me. You are really and truly my friends and I cannot imagine going through life without you.

Also, life will now be crazy pants for me. But I'm excited for it and ready to start this new journey and blogging is definitely a part of it.

35 comments

  1. Kiki! This is great news! Congratulations! And I have to admit, I sometimes still find myself being the one you described in the second paragraph. But, like you said, seasons like this are tough. But even in the midst of this season, I will still give God the praise He deserves. Because, He doesn't forget about us, He is always looking out for us. No matter what season we enter into.

    Kiki, congrats on your new job and especially it being one that you will enjoy and love! Happy for you, friend!

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    1. First of all, thank you! It means the world to me to hear that my blogging friends are sharing in my excitement.

      Secondly, I know the feeling! I still struggle with comparing myself to my friends who are in school or in a classroom of their own. It's hard and there are definitely tough seasons, but like you said (something that is so key for me, especially!), we have to choose to praise God for all that He's done and yet to do.

      But I digress. Anyway, just had to thank you so much for being so supportive and encouraging. It's comments like me that make me love the blog world even more! :)

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  2. I need to learn to trust God a lot more with everything. I love that your faithfulness is being rewarded in this new season his blessings are so good and I am so happy for you. I hope that this next season is fruitful for you and that it brings you lots of happiness. Can't wait to hear all about it.
    x

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    1. Girl, that's a struggle I have to face each and every day--in the bad AND in the good. It's tough stuff, isn't it? :) Anyway, thank you so much for the encouragement and for sharing in the joy with me! And it really means the world that you left such sweet words, too. Thank you so much for reading and following along in my journey! :)

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  3. congrats! you are a beautiful soul, and i love how your words always speak Truth to me.

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    1. Thank you so much, Amber! Your words of wisdom are always so encouraging and I always look forward to hearing what you have to say. Thanks for your support! :)

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  4. AAAAHHHH!!!! Congratulations!!! God is so good!!! What are you going to be doing???

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    1. Ahhhhh, thank you so much!!! God is definitely good and I've been reminded that more and more each day. :) I'm going to be working at a preschool (the one I interned/student taught at). I'm super excited and now just have to finish all the paperwork and stuff so I can start! :)

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  5. Excited for ya :)

    Is this the job you were talking about earlier? I totally know what you're talking about. God is most definitely good. Always. But you most definitely must go through a struggle to realize that. So thankful for you :)

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    1. Thank you, thank you! I'm super excited, too. :) This job is the one I was talking about earlier. I didn't want to talk too much about it because I knew it would be a long wait, but I heard back earlier this week and am now just working through the paperwork and such so I can start! :)

      God is definitely good. Definitely and always. And I so know and agree with what you said. It's in our struggles (and when we're just out of them!) that we realize how good He is AND how much we need Him.

      Grateful for you, your wisdom, our shared love for teaching and our friendship as well, girl!

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  6. I don't exactly remember how I happened upon your blog, but I'm so absolutely thrilled to have found it. Your writing is refreshing, and even though I haven't read much of your blog so far, nor even know you for that matter, I can't help but be happy for your new employment!

    Let me tell you, patience and I have been in our fair share of fist fights (we can also go a long time without speaking to each other -- it gets pretty ugly because that's when I always make a fool of myself), and so I'm inspired by your perseverance to hold tight to your faith and the hope that God will provide.

    I can't tell you how excited I am to read more of your blog (it's also super cute by the way!) Thanks so much for sharing! :)

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    1. Hi Christina!

      First of all, thank you very, very much for stopping by! I'm always thrilled to meet new bloggers and to make new friends and I love hearing from them, too.

      Secondly, um, biggest compliment ever! Hearing that my writing is refreshing is so encouraging--those sweet words will keep me blogging, that's for sure! :)

      Thirdly, thanks for sharing in my excitement! I'm still a little in shock but am so grateful that I'm not employed after such a long time being away from the work and school scene.

      I also wanted to say that I so know what you mean about patience. Patience is tough! Like really, really, really tough. It's hard for me to wait and not know what lies ahead of me but like you said, having hope and trust that God will provide always helps. That, and knowing that He's there with you, has great plans for you, and that He's given you community to help you through it, too!

      But I digress (I do that a lot, btw). Thank you again for stopping by! I just glanced at your blog and am amazed by your photography skills! :)

      p.s. I think you might be a no-reply commenter. It tends to happen when switching your profile to Google+, I think. Just thought I'd let you know! My friend Susannah has info on how to switch that, if you'd like.

      http://www.simplemomentsstick.com/2013/08/no-reply-bloggers-wordpress-and-google.html

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    2. Hi Kiki! I just realized that earlier today about the blog profile situation and switched it back to the blogger profile. I've been experimenting with google+ to see if it was worth using. Clicked on the links and I THINK I solved the problem. Being a no-reply commenter sounds so awful, haha! ;)

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and for writing such a helpful and wonderful reply to my little comment. Looking forward to reading more!

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    3. That's hilarious! I'm glad it seems to have worked itself out! And I so agree, being a no-reply commenter in the blog world is terrible! :)

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  7. CONGRATS girl!!! That is so extremely excited to hear--and yes, praise God! So proud of you--I know you have been struggling, but God is faithful and it all worked out "in its time..."

    Wow I am a cheese ball.

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    1. Thank you, dear friend! It's definitely exciting--almost hard to believe some days, to tell you the truth! It's definitely a praise God moment, too. I've had some stressful moments trying to make sure everything gets done before next week, but in the midst of it all, I'm reminded that I still need to give Him praise, after all, this is what I wanted! :)

      Anyway, thank you friend. And cheese balls are more than welcome here. Especially cheese balls who so understand and connect my blog posts with my blog name!

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    1. Thank you, Laura! You've been one of my strongest encouragers so it means a lot to hear your excitement in the comment (those extra exclamation points are much appreciated!). :)

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  9. Congrats Kiki!!!! This is such awesome news :) I'm really happy for you. I hope you enjoy your new job so much!

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    1. Thank you, Kristyn! It's definitely awesome (and surprising) news! I really do think I'll love this new job. I loved my time there as a student teacher so I know it'll be a great experience, too.

      Hope your studies are going well! :)

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  10. That's so true, "seasons are tough", but God always meets us right where we are at, he is good, even when we don't understand the reason for the season. Thanks for the reminder!
    Congratulations sister!! I am so stinkin excited for you!! You are going to be great! :)

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    1. Yep, there definitely are tough seasons out there! But like you said, God is good and He has a reason for everything in our lives--even if we don't understand it at the moment!

      Thanks for sharing in my excitement! I'm still a little in shock about it all but am super excited and ready to start. :)

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    2. So true!
      Anytime girl! i am so excited for you! <3
      I can't wait to hear more about it!

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  11. So excited for you!!! Can't wait to hear more about what you'll be doing!!! Congrats! And thanks for sharing your excitement... It's always good to read about God's faithfulness in other sisters' lives and is a reminder that our Father is able to bless us in beautiful ways too!

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    1. Aw, thank you! :) I'm still a little surprised and speechless at the fact that I have a job now and am going to be a "real" adult now. But I'm ready and grateful for the time I had off (I'm sure I'll miss summertime come a few months from now, though!). :)

      And that is the truth--reading about God's faithfulness in other sisters' lives is definitely a reminder of how great our God is!

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  12. CONGRATS! Girl, I am over the moon excited for you right now! Can't wait to hear more about this! I've been meaning to shoot you an email for a while but most definitely will be now :) God has a way of bringing us through every single thing on His terms and His time. So glad to see He has put you right where you belong. Love you!

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    1. Aw, thank you so much!! I'm still in disbelief, to tell you the truth but am so ready and excited to start on Monday (which will literally be a week since I found out I got the job!). :) Anyway, yes! I'll be awaiting your email! I can't wait to catch up with you and see what you've been up to lately. I've been loving your school/Ochem(?) tweets as of late and I hope your classes are going well, too!

      And you are so right, God is definitely faithful in providing for us and making His plans for us play out in His perfect timing (remembering the His part is the hardest part somedays!). :)

      Love you as well, friend!

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    1. Thank you, Bess! I have loved getting to know you better and thank you so much for celebrating with me! :)

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  14. Give Him Praise!! AMEN SISTER!
    What wonderful news - absolutely rejoicing in your joys with you Kiki!!!
    I can't wait to hear more about it (if you're able to share) and know that I am so excited for you!

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    1. Amen! He really and truly does deserve all the praise. :)

      Thank you, Amy! It's been a crazy few months and crazy first day of work today but I'm just happy to have finally gotten a job. I'm still unsure how much I'll share about it, but I'd definitely be okay with sharing more via email or something!

      Thanks for sharing in the excitement with me!!

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  15. Super sweet blog, we have similar titles!! Congrats on the new job!! He is good!

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    1. Aw, thanks Caroline! That means so much to me--especially since we've just met via blogging. So glad you've stopped by! :)

      And I love that we have similar blog names! That's awesome and such proof that God's got great timing in our lives.

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  16. i'm behind on commenting but goodness gracious... i am so excited for you, lady!! so thankful the Lord has provided this job for you! i can't wait to hear stories as you get settled in :)

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    1. I'm behind on reading, now that you mention it! Seriously, not having a chance to read blogs these past few days is putting me into serious blog withdrawal. Hoping to finally sit down and read up on your blog tonight!

      And thank you! I would lie if I said it wasn't a crazy exhausting week preparing for the kids, but I'm excited for what lies ahead. You'd better believe there will be great stories in the year to come!! :)

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