Mitchuation Update - Possibilities

It's been a while since I've posted an update, so I thought I would share a snapshot of where we are currently at as a family.  I'm still working from home, though the hours on the previous project have slowed to a trickle.  It's funny, just about the time I get fully trained and ready to go, the case hits a major slowdown.  The nature of project work in a nutshell.  It's not the first project I've seen change drastically overnight and it's not the last.

I'm still under contract with that company through Christmas and still have a good working relationship with them.  I completely understand where the slow down is coming from and it's nothing in their control.

I have started another project today that will should keep me busy through December 19.  That will be a good source of a little extra income over these next couple of weeks.  A little to help offset what we've pulled from the buffer.  Plus, it should still leave us free the week of Christmas to go to Buna and spend time down there.  Win-win.

This entire process has been one of learning to trust in God's provision and seeing it manifest in very tangible ways.  Just as I'm getting discouraged, just as I'm starting to worry, something new pops up.  To have the first contract job the day after vacations complete.  To then move directly to this current position that gave some needed back-of-house experience.  To then have this week hit, with a new project still remote, allowing me to serve out the current project contract and have more income coming in.

Additionally, I've seen a flurry of interviews.  Three last week.  Four this week.  One of which is with the current contract to see how they could help, what my future plans are. One of them last week was seeing how God can connect us all.  A family friend of the Hamrick's who has been in the same industry for years, but the connection was just now revealed.  Locations all over the country.  Austin, Dallas, Chicago, Asheville, and Los Angeles.  We have our preferences, but it's interesting to see them all pickup at the same time.

It's all served as another reminder that He has this under control.   Another reminder that I need to not be so anxious.

Now it may be that none of these interviews pan out.  That may not be the point.  It may be just a reminder to help keep me trusting that He will provide.  And if that is all it is, I'm glad to have it.

It has definitely been a different Christmas season.  One with new lessons and new appreciations.  I hope to have new things ahead for the new year.  But I'll keep trusting that He's got this.   Keep waiting for what He will reveal.

Mitchuation Update - New Opportunities

It has been a while since the last update, so I thought it was time to pass along a little more information regarding where we are at.  Largely the lack of an update reflected a pretty stable status quo.  The project I was on was supposed to last for just a month.  It ended up lasting for two months and two weeks.  In that time, we created a pretty good rhythm.  I would come back to Winnsboro on the weekends and spend time with the family.  On Mondays, I would load up and head into the office, stay with friends in Wills Point through Friday, and repeat the process all over again.

It was stable and greatly appreciated, but being away during the week was beginning to wear.  On everyone.  By the end, even Jude was waking himself up early on Monday mornings when I would leave, and during the week he started to get to the "I want Dada" stage.  So while we wanted the reliability of the paycheck to continue, we were definitely ready for something else to allow us to be together throughout the week.

I do have to say that I really loved working with Lynn Pinker.  That was a great office and team to be supporting.  It was a little weird to be there during their extensive renovation, but the entire experience was excellent.  In that regard, I was sad to see it end.

As it has been through this entire process, it is amazing to see how things come together.  Last Monday when that project ended, I got an email regarding another opportunity.

Through the last few weeks, we knew the project was likely going to end soon, and we had been praying for a smooth transition with a short break in between, so we could enjoy the time together.

That's what we got.  From the initial email, I had an interview on Wednesday and would not hear affirmatively until Friday.  So nearly a week's break to enjoy time together.  To play with Avalyn.  To get Jude to take a nap.  Just to be together.

I've started the new project today.  It's a higher hourly rate.  It's work from home, so I'll be in Winnsboro with the family.  It's training me to have greater technical experience, which will definitely be a plus for future applications.  And most surprisingly, it's with two companies that I have previously applied to (including the one I got the farthest with in Washington, D.C.).

The Lord works in mysterious ways, indeed.

This project has the potential to last for a while, potentially until March.  The length is one of the few unknowns.  As with most project work, it could go away tomorrow.  But even in that eventuality, I know there is a plan.  There will be something behind it.  There will be further provision.

We are still praying and hoping for that permanent position that we know will be coming.  We are ready to find a new place to rent and start setting up our next home.  We are still open to just where that might be.  In the interim, we will simply continue to trust the Shepherd.

Whatever is next, we will keep you posted.