This post has been a long time coming, and I'm so very happy to be sharing it with you. I'll provide some back story in a moment, but right now, I'd like to tell you that next Monday will be Bryant's first day at his NEW JOB!!!
As many of you know, he had been looking for a new position (preferably with a new company) since before he met me. The main reason, at that point, being the schedule (he was working 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. four days a week). Granted, it wasn't a very aggressive search before I came into the picture, but with a new reason to be available during the day and on weekends, his efforts increased during our engagement...but to no avail.
As you also may know, we went ahead with plans (i.e. getting married...me moving to KC...him keeping his current position...), even though his schedule wasn't ideal. His diligent, persistent search continued as we began our married life together.
I always knew what his schedule was and some of the challenges that came with it, but I didn't fully understand it till I was living it. I won't bore you with mundane details of our daily in-and-outs, but in a nutshell: we had about 2-3 waking hours together each working day - and usually the beginning of his day was the middle of my day, which was also hard to get used to. The schedule was further complicated by him being "asked" to work on weekends with only a day or two's notice. AND, from about a week before Christmas up to only a couple weeks ago, his schedule changed on almost a weekly basis, and he was working 6-7 days a week, anywhere from 8 to 12+ hour shifts. Vacation days were basically prohibited and sick days were frowned upon.
Yeah...
I know there are people who work/live with similar (or worse) schedules and have for years. Some prefer it, but others don't have a choice, and my heart goes out to them. I don't mean to be dramatic or throw a pity party, but suffice it to say, the "work schedule thing" didn't make the "getting used to marriage thing" any easier. That said, I can't say enough how much I appreciate Bryant's hard and consistent work in such a draining and not-uplifting position...and with so little complaining. He recognized how hard it was on me, even if I wasn't the one spending 12 hours at work, and always made sure to put my needs first and make what little time we had together count.
We had been praying daily for a daytime position, period, and maybe with a good company and other perks...and that's exactly what we got! The offer came on Bryant's birthday, no less! He was as excited as I think I've ever seen him (remember - I didn't see him before our wedding ☺) to go to work the night he put in his two weeks - haha! It's their loss, for sure, but he will be taking the skills he's gained while there to bigger and much better places...starting next week. ☺
Our sincere thanks go out to many of you for your prayers, listening ears, flexibility, and support through the last few (and/or many) months. God is good, and He absolutely works all thing out for the good of those who love Him and in His perfect time.
We have learned a lot through this first leg (or few steps) of our journey. From now on, we will be forever thankful for quiet evenings together, same bedtimes, free weekends, and lunch breaks at noon instead of 11:00 p.m. We will make the most of our time, using it to strengthen our marriage, build and grow other relationships, help others, and enjoy the blessings of each day.
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| This occasion definitely called for celebratory balloons! |
Praising the Lord,
Kensy
Favorites of the day:
my awesome husband
our bread machine
new hobbies
this awesome new phone case I received as a sweet, thoughtful gift:
this awesome new phone case I received as a sweet, thoughtful gift:
