Clint and I had some time away together right before Christmas which was unexpected and very last minute but appreciated. We also got a couple of weekends away during January.
We might be visiting a factory in Exmore and another in Richmond in February or March if we can work things out with the management to accomplish our goals. Even if we can't work things out to make the deal, we may travel to the place in Richmond for a tour.
Clint received an unexpected and very nice bonus from work due to the company's successful negotiating and sales. He's been staying busy with new projects at work. One of the men under Clint said Clint was the best at the job and has made some smart moves to improve processes. Clint's received more job offers from companies willing to pay for us to move, but none of them were something we'd consider at this time. It is something we are keeping in the back of our heads for later on though. He has a standing job offer with one company that will allow us to travel the entire US and several other countries. You just never know where God will lead! I am grateful Clint's hard work, vast knowledge of his field, and his amazing skill set is being recognized. Clint has been self sacrificing and deserves every bit of this and much more.
Brandon received a very nice raise which was twice the normal amount! They are working towards his next promotion. He's pretty happy about that since the many changes in his bosses had slowed things down for him. He's also been doing upgrades on his house. He may have an upcoming business trip in the future. He's still waiting to hear the details. He's been working to repair his Jeep, but says he may sell it or part it out due to lack of time.
Amanda received a bonus and has been keeping very busy with overtime. Things have slowed down on her getting to her next promotion. She's working to get attention so it can get back on track again. Amanda loves supervising others, employing science and using the scientific equipment in her job, and being entrusted with so much responsibility. Sometimes she gets to solve mechanical issues although that is not in her job description. She's had to prove herself over and over again because of her age and gender.
Update: Posts are normally written in advance, and the news on this came the day before this was to be posted! Amanda received her promotion and a very large raise!! We are very proud of her! She has worked so hard and has sacrificed so much to accomplish all that she has at such a young age! She's had to put up with harassment from those who did not think she belonged in the job due to her gender and young age. She has now held two leadership positions with this company! Her "big boss" says she is set to shoot up like a rocket. I hope so!
I hid anything that might violate her safety (location) or get her in trouble with the company which can be fairly picky about what is shared publicly.
Joshua received a raise at work, has been working full time with some overtime, and is still working on his college. He, Brandon, and Bethany took a week to visit Monticello, Hobbit's Dream, and a few other places. They had a grand time! He has a very busy social life, but his favorite friend to hang out with is his big brother. Joshua is reliable and helps our family out tremendously.
Caleb is still working the two jobs and woodworking. He also has many side things going. Caleb also received a raise. His boss told us he has raised us another $800 towards Caleb's surgery which is amazing considering the other two generous donations already. Caleb was recently given a great bargain from a kind friend. Caleb scored a very nice scroll saw, a tree burl bigger than your head, and two truck loads of hardwood boards. He's making cutting boards, cabinets, and tables in addition to the other things we've featured on the blog. He wants to eventually sell from a website, but right now he has a steady stream of customers.
Bethany was directly offered an immediate job from a local, prominent business owner. She did not take it. Clint and I have been so busy, we have not been able to do much on her Driver's Ed. Bethany also has to make a simple repair on her truck. She's more than fine with waiting, because she is working hard to finish her college. She just turned 16 in September and is halfway to her college degree! She's making a lot of our herbal medicines now because she has mastered a lot of the skills. I still quiz her on a lot of the information because it gives the younger girls good repetition.
Emily and Hannah are doing well in their school and are also learning some electrical work beside Clint. Emily seems to have Clint's natural aptitude for it. The girls are enjoying helping and working with their Daddy. They are both maturing and changing in their interests. Gone are the My Little Pony, Legos, and many other favorites. Art supplies remain the big thing now! They've been learning several food storage methods while helping Bethany and I. Emily told me she loves doing those sorts of things because she will use them many times over in the course of her life. Hannah was delighted when I let her be the first person to use one of my new machines! The girls find me as soon as their school is done and ask to help. As they help, I ask them questions to quiz their knowledge and build upon what they know. It's a double treat for me when they readily impart the knowledge with Clint as soon as he gets home.
I've been cleaning, reorganizing, and inventorying our pantries (for our foreign friends: a place for food storage) which is not a small job. It has been overwhelming at times, but good record keeping leads to better purchase decisions. This is the time of year I normally make the majority of our herbal medicines simply because it is a little slower than other months. I am teaching our youngest girls, who work beside me, what chemicals are strongest in each herb and how they affect the different systems in the body. I'm about to make a batch of salve a friend needs as it seems to be the only thing helping her husband's foot heal. His doctor is all for it which is nice to see. It's received so many accolades from physicians of family and friends, that I am considering selling it in the future. We will see where God leads on many possibilities we are exploring in this very exciting phase of life.
Dear Reader, hopefully you will update us on you and yours. If we don't hear from you too, it is you receiving from us and not giving back. We love hearing from you and rejoice in your good news and pray for you when things are hard. I get a lot of, "I know you are really busy and I don't want to bother you" messages. YOU are not a bother, and I welcome a friendly interruption from the workload. If you read here, you are loved and prayed for! May God bless you abundantly in all areas of your life in 2020!
Closing thoughts: I love and prefer the KJV because it is what I learned when I was a young child, but I really like the way The Message Bible highlights how our attitude towards God should be one of solemnity. We should revere God in our minds, hearts, actions, conversations, relationships, worship, work, etc. Christianity is not a game. It's serious business with serious consequences, and we should reflect that with all we are and all we do. Also, if you've lived any time on this earth, people have undoubtedly disappointed you and maybe even withheld love from you. The Bible also tells us: "God's love never quits." He will never stop loving us. What a comforting Truth!
1 Chronicles 16:30-34 KJV Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
I Chronicles 16:30-34 MSG
God is serious business, take him seriously;
he’s put the earth in place and it’s not moving.
So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant,
and pass the word among the nations, “God reigns!”
Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow,
let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters;
Then the trees in the forest will add their applause
to all who are pleased and present before God
—he’s on his way to set things right! Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits.
he’s put the earth in place and it’s not moving.
So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant,
and pass the word among the nations, “God reigns!”
Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow,
let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters;
Then the trees in the forest will add their applause
to all who are pleased and present before God
—he’s on his way to set things right! Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits.
