No Longer A Drain on Society

I am happy to report that I am no longer jobless. I started working at a local camera store about two weeks ago, which is a really good fit for me as I take the next step towards professional photography. They offer major discounts to employees, which will allow me to buy the equipment I will need. I am also working with and learning about new technology as it appears in the store. For awhile now, I had been wanting to network with other photogs to share knowledge and experience and I now have that opportunity on a daily basis. Although the hours are long and standing on my feet all day is an experience that takes some getting used to, I know this is the right place for me to be at this time. God is really preparing me to run my own business and I am patiently waiting for His perfect timing.

A HUGE lesson in faith...

As most of you already know, I was recently laid off from my job due to the slowing economy. Most of the time, I know this is God's way of forcing me out of the comfort zone of a regular paycheck to pursue my dream of a career in photography, something I may have only talked about but never seriously pursued as long as I had a regular job. But every now and then I get really nervous, like when I hear on the news that only 1 in 45 applicants to retail positions will get hired this Christmas season (I have only applied to 5 places; does that mean I need 40 more for a guarenteed job?), and the constant knowledge that my severence payments will stop in exactly 45 days (not that I am counting, or anything). It is only when I see my nervousness for what it really is, an attack against my faith in God's promises, that I am able to return to a state of calm amidst the storm of uncertainty.

Most people wouldn't post all this craziness until they can tangibly see God coming through for them. But I have been assured by Him these last few days that He knows my needs and will take care of me. So even though I have no earthly assurance of having a job when I need one, I am posting with the certainty that in God's perfect timing, I will be able to pass along the knowledge that I have a source of income that will cover my expenses. God hasn't promised me riches, but He has said He will take care of me, and I choose to have faith and ignore those niggling little nervous moments that attempt to destroy my faith.

Congrats Shannon and Randy!

My sister Shannon became engaged to her boyfriend Randy this past weekend. Below is a slideshow of their engagement pics (I could claim that I have mad-fast photography skills, but the photos were actually taken a few weeks ago).