When it rains.... it hails?

The middle of July brings to peak the summer and then the weeks ahead draw it to a close and Fall will be upon us before we know it. I am excited for it despite current circumstances of not working. I have great time with friends from the various Party Lite parties at our house to attending Pampered Chef parties to going to the church's men's softball game on Tuesday nights (yeah, we aren't doing so well..... and 21-50 year old men all become babies I tell you!). Great time of fellowship nonetheless. And spur of the moment trips in Ventura and staying at Roon's (Natalie).The beach being on my constant agenda and continuing to job hunt and interview are also the plans and fixing Champ.... in all this I find myself not taking my own advice, even though I should and believe it with everything I am.... I still can't come to the ability to take it.

Life happens for a reason and everything in it. I know God is in control of it all, and try to find peace in that. Maybe it is my constant battle of wanting real control of my life and hating the unknown. I always remember the verse about not worrying about tomorrow.... and you know.... it's hard. When the responsibilities I have are affected by not working and I can't be a very fun friend right now, I am blessed for the understanding of friends.... some in the same position as the economy has hit everyone pretty hard. I did interview for a great job yesterday in Arroyo Grande, and in prayer hope it will work out. I interviewed for Conway Family Wines and they are a newer company which is still in the process of growth and development and are currently building a winery not far from Camp Maddux out by Lopez Lake (not too far a drive), and it is all detail oriented and people oriented work with so much room for growth as they grow as well. They are now casing their first vintage and it looks very promising. So, I pray for this position as I felt the interview went very well, but I have had those before, and nothing came of them. Trying to trust and actually trusting I know are two different things.

I think I am in the I want to trust and just be joyful, but then my personality kicks in with the wanting to be in control and have it all planned and worked out.... and I know God does not always work that way. Definitely not in tune with my timing that's for sure. I think about how when it rains it pours..... and some people just don't understand. Example: Champ is dying.... if you didn't know Champ is the name of my car. It suits him considering the trauma I have put that car through (mostly with accidents here and there), and he is a 15 year old car that I bought 5 1/2 years ago and was 19, not understand what "salvage" title meant. I knew quickly.... it meant it was not worth very much. However, it served it's purpose and the pride of buying it myself. I babied that thing from $40.00 car washes once a month. Then you get the first ding and you are like "WHAT THE CRAP???" and then your care goes down.... Champ has seen better days, but still he keeps going. But here we are now and realizing all the cheaper stuff has been done.... what's left?? The big stuff. At this point people say "Caitlyn, just buy a new car". Okay, with my non existant salary and not so steller credit.... great idea.... not. Dave Ramsey who has designed the Financial Peace courses and our church has them for us 2 times a year about.... well a new car is not a good investment but a car maybe 2 or 3 years old..... gold mine. The value is what it is and driving it away does not make it lose the 2,000-4,000 a car loses when it is brand new and you drive it off the lot. Anyway.... people don't understand it is alot easier to come up with even $1,000 to fix something than $3,000 for a down and then payments..... and even then.... $1,000 in these times is not exactly easy either. If I am stressing over a small sum, what would a bigger one do? Cause an anurism most likely.

So, with not working is the rain.... and Champ dying slowly is the pouring part. Always gotta wonder when God will stop the rain huh? I definitely do, or at least let the it just be rain and not big hail balls dropping at high speeds ;)

Wow, that was a cool analogy and I didn't even try.

Anyway: Prayer requests:

JOB! the interview yesterday and for it to end well, and for God to provide for that-- and soon.
Car: we may have found and fixed the problem, but may not have. For it to be a cheaper problem than what we are thinking.
Finances: especially with being out of work. I did apply for Unemployment, but so are 12% of California and well..... California is not doing well, and government officials are slow as it is :)