Provision

Well its official as of today, I am on FULL TIME Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) Orders with the Texas Army National Guard, in the 36th Infantry Division Headquarters G2 (Intelligence Section).

Basically, this means between now on the Mobilization, if I'm not on Special Training Orders, I'll be 8-5 @ Camp Mabry in Austin.

Little walk down memory lane...August/September 09

Returning from Ft. Huachuca, I had no real job leads. I had little to no employable experience, and no idea where to turn next. I go to my knees, praying and seeking His will for us. A few short weeks later, I let my local fellowship of believers, in the form of the Grace Covenant Young Couples Class, know that I was seeking employment.

After class, Matt Banks, now a good friend of mine caught me and offered me an opportunity to work with him at REI, an Outdoors Clothing & Gear Outfitter. I was shortly thereafter hired and trained to be a Clothing and Footwear Sales Specialist. From October until now, REI has been an adventure, a blessing, and a timely source of employment. The hours are flexible, the co-workers and customers are great, and the work is fun.

The Lord truly provided for my needs through his body, the Church. What a testimony to the value of fellowship, bearing each-others burdens and allowing the Spirit to Lead you in your local fellowship.

Then the Christmas Retail Rush came around. I was hired on as a push to have a well-staffed holiday season. It went beautifully, after a month or so of nearly full-time hours, I was really enjoying my new role on the sales floor.

Then the new year hit, and the payroll budget plummeted. Three to five staff per section turned to one. Eight hour shifts turned to four. 5 day weeks turned to 2. The wonderful world of post-holiday retail. Gut check.

Back to my knees. Lord I need to earn a living for my family. Monthly drill with the National Guard and the few hours I was getting at REI just weren't enough. Loans had to be deferred, cutbacks and adjustments were made. Channing stood by me, and we had faith in the Lord's provision, but I was back on the job hunt.

No sooner than had this ocured than the Haiti crisis hit. With my extra time, the Lord paved the way for me to volunteer with some relief efforts. What a blessing to be able to give.

Up comes my first drill with my new Unit after my transfer notice, after meeting my new Commander and having him tell me he didn't have an actual spot for me, I was pointed to the G2 (Intelligence Section) of the Division Staff. No sooner had I arrived in the G2 Office than was I asked by a timely Warrant Officer if I was available for full time work.

Here we are three short weeks later and the paperwork is turned in, my new, new Commander's approval obtained, PT (Physical Training) test taken, the i's dotted and the t's crossed, the orders are set to publish and I am as of today officially a full-time Officer of the Texas Army National Guard 36 ID G2 Staff Section. I will report tomorrow @ 0800 and see what awaits new next couple of months as we prepare for this mobilization.

Full Time Officer Pay will be a boon to our financial status, enabling us to prepare for the multiple major adjustments to come.

Hallejuah to the King, the Lord of Lords and Lord of the Nations (such as Texas ;) ) who set this oppurtunity before me and led me down paths of plently, provision and blessing. Lord I am constantly amazed at how you care for me and have my needs provided for in ways I cannot perceive nor predict.

Perhaps I should just stay on my knees.