Last week Kevin and I were faced with a big decision in our lives. Since late fall of last year we had talked about it and decided that Kevin was going to attend college either this January or later on in August and get his associates degree to become a diesel mechanic, so we did everything we could do to plan for it. I was blessed with a full time job that I would have to have if he was going to replace his current full time position with one that would better fit into his school schedule, and it seemed that everything was aligning nicely.
We sent the application off, towards the end of Febrarury and waited to hear a yes or no. Instead of an acceptance or rejection letter we instead got a response stating that he needed to complete a few more steps in the application process before he would be officially accepted. We had to just do a few more things and we thought that because the local college was so small that he would most definitely get in, but then came the apprehensions that come with any change in life, and then the FAFSA results. Last weekend it was an ongoing discussion of just how it was going to work out in the end. You see, Kevin had just gotten a raise at his workplace of 2 years and we were finally starting to make it again. I mean, we actually have our heads above water, after living one whole year solely on 1 income. So, it was a big discussion and it has been a big decision. The results of the FAFSA were not what we expected ( but I suppose that's due to the economy ) we are able to finance an education with low interest student loans, and although the results said there may be some grant options available as well, we sat down and crunched the numbers of our monthly expenses and realized that just to attend two years of school we'd have to get ourselves into some pretty major debt to cover cost of living expenses. Our religious leaders advise against debt in most cases, but to better oneself it seemed maybe the path to take, we just were so uncertain. As we talked to others they counseled us to have faith, but it was still such a concern, and then . . . as answers to prayers often come, Kevin received the answer he had been seeking.
While attending a stake priesthood meeting, the stake president concluded the meeting by addressing the congregation about the economy and the many people he has met with who have lost their jobs and how lucky people were if they have a job in this economy. He suggested that anyone who has a job should give 100% back of their wage times ten to their employers in their work. **We are truly blessed, not only does Kevin have a good job but he just got a 50 cent raise!** Secondly, he counseled not to incur any new debt, unless it was absolutely necessary. My sweet hubby came home with that message and we continued to talk about it some more. Once, he had heard the counsel from the stake president, he knew in his gut that perhaps it wasn't time to go to school, but we still talked about it for awhile feeling somewhat conflicted. Finally, he decided to talk with his mom about it, and because mothers are so wise and in tune with the spirit, she only confirmed his thoughts and the counsel from our church, reminding him of his obligations to take care of his family. ( Yes, a wife and a dog is still a family)
What a wonderful answer to our prayer, now the decision has been made, and we are going to continue to travel on this road and see what new opportunities await us on this journey. In my life I have found it's often when you want to take a detour that you realize if you had just patiently travelled down the road you were on, blessings and opportunities would've awaited you just around the bend. I pray that these blessings are in store for us, just around the corner. But no matter the outcome, I know that we must continue to travel this road with faith. Our heavenly father has a plan for us, and he is much wiser than we are when it comes to directing our paths for good. Thank goodness for that,we'd be lost without his light.
No comments:
Post a Comment