"Paying it Forward"

Since writing my last exam yesterday, I am now officially finished my degree!  This morning, while driving Riley to the dog park, I was conversing with God about this debt I now have and my current lack of full-time employment (I am quickly gathering students for private tutoring, so that is at least something and I am encouraged with how smoothly that is going).  I don't feel anxious or worried; God has always been so faithful to provide.  But I do feel some concern (guilt, maybe?) about this debt that seems to keep growing (and will grow even more to be able to do Teacher's College in September).  And of course, it's Christmas time and I'm thinking about how I can be generous from this place I am at.

At the dog park when I arrived, I got chatting a little with another "regular" who I hadn't seen as much lately.  Just some small talk about the dogs (about a potential pending adoption for Riley!), about Christmas, etc.  After he left, another regular came in who I also hadn't seen in awhile and we chatted a little about my upcoming trip to Chile and about Christmas.  He sounded a little sad and unenthused about the season (which I certainly understand) and as I was getting ready to leave, I felt a strong sense that I should extend an invitation to he and his wife to join my family and I for Christmas dinner.  (I am going to bravely host my family this year.) 

This was sort of interesting because, just last night, my sister-in-law was asking me if she could invite a couple who are new to Canada and who don't really know Christmas celebration traditions.  I didn't jump on the idea and thought that we should check first if our parents would be ok with extending the invitation.  I think too, I was also thinking about how I had just said that my gifts to my family members this year would be the meal and I had that panic thought of, 'Oh more people?!  How can I afford that?!'  I honestly was caught up in these two, sort of selfish I guess, thoughts.

So here I am today, encouraging this retired man and his wife to come over, giving him my number, and not caring about these things.

I walked back to the car with Riley and on my windshield was an envelope.  Capital One.  Strange, are they soliciting people at the dog park?  Then I realized it wasn't sealed.  Inside was a note, from the first "regular" who had left before, that read, "Just paying it forward, this month you seem deserving.  Have a Merry Christmas"  And there was $25 in the envelope.  Wow.

I knew two things for sure.  God is still looking out for my needs (and he can use anyone to bless me).  And it was the right thing to extend hospitality to that older man (and in turn, for my sister-in-law, to the other couple).  I ran back to the dog park and asked the man for their number, so that I could make sure to call and remind them of the invitation.  I still need to call my sis-in-law back.

I Gave In

Joined Facebook tonight. Sigh. More time spent online. You have to admit though, it's pretty cool. Excellent to see the Global Youth Network group (with lots of alumni, current travellers and photos)! Then there's the many lost high school friends...yikes. I hope they contact me first. :)

I also rented a Renault diesel, manual wagon today! To be picked up in Paris in July! Very exciting stuff. As much as I would have loved to take the train, this is going to be an excellent deal and we can tread off the beaten path as much as we'd like and not be on specific schedules. Next step, find some affordable accommodation in Paris.

I really love how God is one step ahead of me. Once again, on the topic of employment, he is spot on! I've been contemplating an extra summer job lately and wonder of wonders, a friend approached me today to tell me that the boss of the sign shop I have previously worked at is looking to hire someone. And my friend mentioned me to him without knowing that I may even be interested.

Now even though I had been thinking about a farm job over the summer (seriously, I like weeding, the heat and the sun), the way that this topic randomly came up is striking me as a bit of a possible God thing. God even has a sense of humor, since one of my trained tasks at the sign shop is actually called "weeding"!

I have story after story of how God faithfully has provided income and/or employment at just the time I needed it. Ever since I joined this crazy YWAM/Global world. There were my days at The Pita Pit--as low-paid as it was, it was flexible and exactly what I needed at the time. Then right as that shop closed up, there was this sign job opportunity which also was flexible and a marvelous blend of fun, technicality and art! Then one day, there was no more work there. But when I started to be concerned, these ESL tutoring jobs came up. Then the students all went back to Korea, but Global got its act together a bit and started helping us out!

Now there's school and holiday costs to cover and here my most amazing Friend goes. He's so generous, I love it!

"For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever."