After Jazz Prayed For Her Friends. . .

As I look back on the year 2013. . .what a year it’s been! This blog is to encourage those in the midst of a crazy circumstance(s). PLEASE HOLD ON TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND. It may appear to be unbearable but constantly seek the Lord. Consistently give Him your cares, frustrations, tears, hurts, etc. He will sustain you. His grace IS sufficient.

I am led to give a brief synopsis of the what my family and I experienced in 2013. I pray this brings encouragement and joy to your life and that you be in awe of our Father and His goodness.

First come the trials..

**Doctors told us that I had a hernia, was at risk for diabetes and that our baby would have Down Syndrome. I was given this information at 19 weeks pregnant.

**I was put on a final write-up for being late to work. My lateness was a result of getting sick during my 40 minute commute and pulling off to the side of the road. My write-up was also for missing days so I could be tested for all of those pregnancy concerns. Some in management told my supervisor to fire me but she would not. Halleujah.

**There was an argument in the family which resulted in my family having to move out from amongst our other family abruptly, with no real money savings.
**With the help of someone, we moved into another place. While on maternity leave though, my short term disability money was a little behind. In addition, we only had one income, so we became behind on the rent. We were evicted with a toddler and a newborn and no place to go. . . A loving couple we know allowed us to bum off of them for a couple weeks. We then spent another couple weeks in and out of hotels. . .with a newborn and a toddler. . . I have a keep sake from each hotel

**My husband applied to job after job, had interview after interview and even job offers. But something from the past was preventing him from gaining employment.

**Our only car was repossessed.

**Family discord started/became worst between us and extended family. Unexpected division arose.

**Everything started to take a toll on my husband and I. We both started acting out of character. As a result, I tried to leave him. Not because he didn’t have a job, but because of the change in him from not having a job.

Meanwhile, friends and family were constantly condemning us, not fully knowing our situations but nonetheless were judgmental and lacking compassion. We were blamed for what was going on. We were made to feel that we were being punished for something(s). Much like Job was treated by his friends when he lost basically everything.

To God be ALL the glory though. We cried, became frustrated, confused, tired and weary but we never did curse God and die. He had my husband and I read the book of Job in early 2012, a couple months prior to our miscarriage of Baby Z. It took me a year and half later to grab hold to this one verse. . . After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 The Holy Spirit gave this verse to me after some of those same family members began seeking us for guidance and encourage in spite of the condemnation we received from them. Not only that but the Lord was causing some of them to pour out major blessings upon us that they would definitively not do in themselves. It was only in obedience to Him . My God!! This verse lit a fire within me to not only desire restoration for us but blessings for others. We never want anyone to feel how we’ve felt over the past year. It is only God’s doing that I can smile, be healed, forgive and look back in laughter! Only God!!

And sure enough we have entered into a season of ABUNDANCE AND PEACE. Watch how HE turned it!!!

***We could not afford another ultrasound after the one supposedly showing baby girl with Down Syndrome. We could only pray and wait for her arrival. And in my Maury voice “The Holy Spirit determined that was a lie!!!” She is completely healthy and without any infirmities. We have even been told of how she will be ahead of her time in the things she will do in the world! Having Down Syndrome spoken over her gave the hubby and I a new sense of humility and respect for parents of children who have Down Syndrome. We have done much research and prayer for these people. We see those with Down Syndrome in such a different light now. I thank God for opening our eyes those special people.  May God continue to bless them and all others with specialties.

***While on maternity leave, my write-up was closed out. I received the two raises that were held up as a result of the several, yes several write-ups that I had prior to having my baby. My supervisor mentioned to me that she did not think I would return to work because of all the stress that I was under, but she closed it out anyway. Somethings changed while on maternity leave, which included a flex option. We can now miss work in less than a two week notice and make it up during the same week without penalty. Not only that but when I returned to work I was placed in a training class entitled “Fresh Start”. A couple of months later I was granted work at home (WAH) status under the “Special Release” program. Soon after starting WAH I applied for a promotion which I received and I am still allowed to work from home. WON'T. HE . DO. IT. ?!

***We are now living in a place where we pay our lowest monthly rent to date! We have PEACE, PRIVACY and a townhome which I have always wanted to leave in. Oh yeah, and no roaches unlike the second place we were evicted from this year, lol. I give God extra glory for that!!  I’ve lived that life before and I thank God that I am moving forward!

***The family is making efforts to unite and love like never before--both sides of our family. Atmospheres are peaceful now. God is touching hearts as only He, can do. I also want to add how happy we are for restoration with previous friendships!!

***Since my husband did not find any employment, he became his own employer. BOSS STATUS! He is using his God given talents to help others in the music industry. Our prosperity began from this project almost immediately. Aint God good?! You better say so!

***We are driving the car of a family member who has so graciously sacrificed for us in many areas. God shall repay them 1000 fold. Praise God for no car payments!

***What God has brought together, NO ONE, not even we ourselves can tear apart. My husband and I are still together and stronger than ever! Yes God! Areas that we struggled in for so long, such as communication and consistent fellowship come more freely to us because we stay plugged into the Father. When you realize God is all you have, you truly realize that HE, the I AM THAT I AM, the ALPHA AND OMEGA, BEGINNING AND THE END, THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH is all you need!! Everything has most certainly worked out for the good.

Please be encouraged folks. The Lord is no respecter of persons. He gives freely. You must only seek Him whole heartedly! And love Him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. He showed me during those hard times that they were not only for our benefit but for others. He has called us to go through that others may not. Those times were used to strengthen us in Him. I saw myself on the battlefield fighting. I would get wounded and weary. At that time He would send someone out to give me a pep talk and some water but never did I leave the battlefield! This actually did happen in the natural. The Lord has His people strategically reach out to us in times of need. They were reminders that He was, and is still with us.

I am humbled by all we have experienced.

As I close out this post and we close out 2013 and I honestly say that I am thankful for the experiences. Do I want to experience them again, please Lord, no but they have caused me to grow like I could never imagine. Things that used to seem so pressing, so important are merely looked at as small distractions on this journey He has us on. Please pray Gods will for us and we will pray for you all as well. I speak the abundant favor and wisdom of the Lord on you all.

I really did try to make this brief, lol. If you want more details of our story, shoot me an email at p2tministry@gmail.com

Happy Happy Blessed New Year!!