Change part 4

In case you haven't been reading here on my little 'ol blog for long, let me bring you up to speed on parts 1, 2 and 3 of this "change" series I have going on...

1. August 2013: I submitted paperwork to extend my visa to live in Canada. I knew that sometime in the near future I would have to make a change (hence the name of this series!) and find a different visa that would allow me to live in Canada longer.

2. October 2013: I found out I was denied an extension on my visa and had to get out of the country that very day. So I left and came back to the States. (It is hard to believe this was over a year ago...time flies!)

3. July 2014: After many months of searching, praying, and working on getting a new visa (including meeting with a lawyer) I find out that I do not qualify for any visa in any stream of immigration. This leads me to the decision and realization that God has a plan for me right here in Maine for the time being.

It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year since I got kicked out of Canada. So many changes have come about since that time, as I catch more glimpses of God's plan.

At the time of my last update I was living with my grandparents, working a few hours for a Christian couple, and enjoying spending time with family I had been away from the last 8 years.

I had an UH-MAZING summer. It was such a treat to be able to have tons and tons of family events, parties, outings...you name it! We did so many fun things, the summer was jam-packed full!

But all play and no work...wait, is that how it goes? ;)

Towards the end of the summer, I was made aware of a part time job opening up at a health food store just across the river from my other job...less than a mile away! I applied with much fear and trepidation...did I want the responsibility of another job? Would I like it? God, do you want me to do this? Is committing to living here for a while your perfect plan for me?

I didn't get the job. I had a pretty good chance of being called in for an interview, but they hired someone else before they even got to my name (darn being at the end of the alphabet!)

So I left for a long-planned trip to Nova Scotia. Due to my other job I could only stay a week, but it was nice to go and visit just the same!

Just before coming home I found out the job was available again...apparently the other person didn't pan out that well.

Long story short: I applied and this time I got the job. I also felt more at peace with the step the second time around...I believe that was God saying, ok, I'm going before you on this decision! The timing worked out so well too, since I already had that trip to Canada planned. I love how God works out all the details!

This job has been such a blessing on so many levels:

Not only is it just around the corner from my other job, I also moved to our family's farm and now I live just 5 minutes from both jobs.

You know that for years I have been reading, researching and getting my feet wet in the areas of whole foods, healthy eating and green living. Now I have two great jobs that support all of those interests! I am so excited about what I am learning and the changes I have made to my eating habits and lifestyle - more on that in another post someday. :)

Do I miss Canada? I sure do. Life there was easy and slow-paced and restful. I had always wanted to live on the ocean, and I am glad I got that experience for 3 years. Being 11 hours away from my family is hard. But my new life is good too...I am busy with my jobs, spending time with my family, teaching piano and being involved in ministries at church. I'm excited to see how the Lord is going to use this period of my life and what the years ahead might hold for me...because as I very well know, unexpected things can crop up at any moment!

Thank you for your care, concern and prayers for me over the past year. I'll be sure to keep you up to date if any other exciting things happen!


Shared at the Weekend Wind-Down party