Changes

It's weird when you start taking a look back at things and changes. I can't believe how different our lives are now compared to a year ago. We were doing okay financially, Alan had a job, I had recently graduated. There was a tiny possibility that he might start law school in the fall of 2009.

For anyone who doesn't know, this was also the time that Alan got ExTrEmElY sick! He had pneumonia, bronchitis, pharyngitis, AND sinusitis. Needless to say, he didn't feel very well. My dad died from pneumonia, so that's something that I didn't take lightly. Speaking of my dad, I really miss him a lot. He died on January 28, 1998. I was only 12. I went to see his grave this past weekend when I was back home. I can't believe I've almost spent more of my life without him than I have with him. I miss him so badly and sometimes I feel like there is no one else who could ever understand what I feel. I guess I've been thinking a lot about him lately since the anniversary date of his death was recently. Maybe I'll write a blog about this another day. I don't think I can handle it right now.

Well, a lot has happened since Alan got the quadruple illnesses. He got "let go" from Jacksonville, for reasons that I don't agree with, but then again, a lot happened/is still happening there that I don't agree with...but that's another blog too. Well, we had a little in savings because I had been doing housework for someone, but May and June were especially difficult for us. We relied heavily on the credit card because neither of our families were in situations to help us greatly. Alan got the job selling cars and we found a place that gave us the first month rent free, so we made the move. After we moved, we found out Alan's vehicle needed a brake job...a $1400-1500 brake job. Luckily (Thankfully!), he had the job at the dealership and got a great employee discount! At the beginning of August, Alan was offered the job working security (i.e. steady paycheck!) and I got the job at the fabric store. Things were going really well. Even though we weren't making enough to pay our bills, somehow we managed (did I mention that the credit card was maxed at this point?) In October, my brakes went out and had to be fixed...not as expensive as Alan's, but still, money that we didn't have. On October 6, while we were getting ready for work, I checked extension's website and saw the job that I currently have, posted! I squealed and applied! December and January have been pretty difficult because not only have I not been getting the bi-weekly paychecks from the fabric store, but I didn't get paid from extension until the day before Christmas eve. That check was just enough to catch us up. I finally got paid this Monday and I also received my travel reimbursement for December. We filed our taxes earlier this week and, between my salary and our refund, we will be paying off our credit card in full later this month/early next month!

I'm writing this to let anyone who is struggling financially know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel! It feels so wonderful to know that we might finally catch up! We still don't have anything in savings, but at least our debt will be paid off and we can start focusing on saving!

I am so thankful to God, because His providence lead us to where we are! If Alan hadn't accepted the job with the car dealership, he wouldn't have been offered the security job and I wouldn't have been offered the job with extension. We are so blessed to have been lead by His merciful hand through this challenging year.

As a celebration for Valentine's Day (and this newfound freedom from debt), we are going on the marriage retreat to the Smokies in two weeks. This is something we have been to every year that we've been married. I couldn't imagine missing it for anything, but it is something that we didn't think would happen this year...we just weren't going to be able to go, but we have been so blessed! AND, we get to see some of our very good friends there who we haven't seen in TOO long!

Anyone reading this can tell that we have been through a lot this year. I am so thankful that I had Alan by my side through it all. He has been so supportive and encouraging. I love him so much and can't believe I get to grow old with him!