The Job "Situation"

Kiki and I have been looking for work for the past couple months and it has proven excessively difficult. It's the time of year when all of the college students are finishing their finals and securing summer jobs - and, whether we like it or not, preference is given to Irish applicants at most jobs. We have been out of work for a few months and couldn't pay our rent last month, so we have arranged to pay last month's and this month's rent at the end of June. YIKES! That means we have 3 weeks to make 1800 euro. We were freaking out!

So, today I had an interview with a company called "Moneypenny" - yes, that's the real name, and yes, it's fantastic. The woman who interviewed me was completely wonderful but she wanted me for a permanent position to start immediately. I explained to her that I would be returning home to Canada in 3 weeks time - and she actually offered me a temp position!! It was thrilling because she so desperately needs someone to fill a permanent role, but she liked me and said she wanted to help me out by giving me a job for my last 3 weeks as she knows not many companies want to hire someone for that amount of time.

So, that was wonderful. And then it got way better. We were talking about payroll because the job pays monthly but I explained that we need to pay rent on June 29th so I need to be paid before then. Her solution - she is going to pay me WEEKLY IN CASH!! She also is willing to pay me the same amount per hour as I would have gotten on salary had I taken the permanent role. AND THEN ... she asked if Kiki had a job and I told her she was still looking and her response was "No no, you tell her to come in with you tomorrow morning and you can both work here for the next 3 weeks, we've got more than enough work to go around." I was stunned - not only did I get a job, Kiki got one too, at the same company! This woman is delightful! Both of us will be getting paid 11.50 an hour and because she's paying us in cash, we won't be getting taxed. AND they offer overtime. So, we can NOW pay our rent. We truly do serve a mighty and awesome God. Thank you for your prayers, support (financial and otherwise) and phone calls. Please, rejoice with us!!

AMEN!
Jen and Kiki

Who Am I - Casting Crowns

( I stumbled across this great song today - I think it's fantastically beautiful and I just wanted to share the lyrics with you. Download it if you can, you won't be sorry)


Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Ben, Jerry and Some Very Bad Decisions

So we're back from my Mum's house in England. It was an interesting 5 days, and it was great for us to get out of Dublin. We ate a LOT of chocolate ice cream and borrowed my Mum's car and then crashed it. So all in all, a successful trip that met everyone's expectations. Ok, so that last sentence isn't exactly true. And I didn't CRASH the car - the roads were all muddy and wet and we slid off the road into the ditch and got the car stuck - our punishment was having to walk 5km home in the dark. I've had better times. It's kind of a hugely long story - but the rest of the weekend was pretty relaxed and we saw some unbelievable english countryside.

We also visited Salisbury Cathedral and Kiki tripped around the entire place until we left. I can't fathom why she can't stand up for more than a couple minutes at a time. Anyways, it was great and now we have 4 weeks left to find jobs and pay our rent! Wish us luck! We miss you guys and can't wait to see you - we can't believe we come home so soon!!

Love you's!