Prayers Answered!

I know this is a long post so I will litter pictures in it....keep reading!

Yesterday was a whirlwind! In the morning Chris returned a call to the magazine company (Reach) he had interviewed with and was offered the job. Their offer was less than Chris had requested and the benefits were horrible. Their offer was for more than what he was making at the Enquirer per hour but due to high benefits cost we would be losing $400/month. Chris told the HR Rep he needed to talk to me, which was true, but he was also setting up a second interview with Settingpace.
Settingpace is a textbook design agency and a place Chris really wants to go. He had an interview with most of the design team last week, as the Creative Director was out of town. The design team gave him a thumbs up and the Creative Director wanted to set up a second interview. The placing agency left a message telling of the good news.

Chris was aware that the available times for the interview were Tuesday (Yesterday) at 9am, 10am, 3:30pm; Wednesday at 2pm or later in the week. Chris originally scheduled the interview for Wednesday at 2pm but after getting the offer at Reach he was in a little bit of a rush. Tuesday morning he called the placing agency to see if they could move the interview up. 9:00am...too late to get that one, 10:00am....placing agency was still waiting to hear back, 3:30pm...we got it! (this interview was confirmed at 1:15pm and Chris was downtown doing his part-time/freelance job) Linnea and I raced down to pick up Chris as he takes the bus downtown. He changed clothes quick and was off.
The interview was fairly short 20 minutes or so. Chris went over his portfolio for the Creative Director and answered a few of her questions, she asked if he had any questions and he said, "What is the next step?" She then informed him that they intend to hire him, but of course this all has to go through the placing agency, and had the HR Rep who was present go over some of their benefits.

This morning Chris called the placing agency telling them what Settingpace had said. The placing agency emailed Chris a little later saying that they had received an offer for the job. Chris has accepted the offer and is hoping to start there next Monday.

Thanks to all of you that joined us in prayer!

23 Weeks

Funny how when I was pregnant I thought time went by so slowly. I continually counted the weeks in expectancy of what was to come, at 23 weeks we knew we were expecting a little girl. I looked forward to 17 more weeks knowing I was past the half way marker. This time 23 weeks marks the time Linnea has been with us and it has flown by.

She has more than doubled her birth weight and gained 7 inches, but more notably she has begun to develop a personality all her own. Linnea is a very content baby; she loves the outdoors, hearing herself, and listening to others talk to her.

Bath time has even grown on her.

We hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we do!

The Job Search

Chris had the interview with the library, although he believes he interviewed well he does not believe the job will be offered to him. During the interview they shared that 60% of the work would be producing signage and brochures for children, not that this would be a problem, but much of Chris's portfolio is adult focused.

Linnea has been helping her daddy in his job search....

Chris has also interviewed with a recruiting agency. This agency places employees in open positions and is paid by the employer, so no money out of our pockets. The agency appeared impressed with both Chris's work and test scores (Tests on programs that are commonly used in the design field). The agency believed there were two jobs that would be a good fit. One is full-time and needing someone quickly, this would be doing page layout and other design for textbooks and brochures. Chris is setting up an interview with them sometime this week. The other job is a start up and will not be beginning until October, Chris is hoping to have a job before then!

Chris also has an interview with another magazine company that contacted him about a graphic designer opening. Although Chris would like to do something different than the magazine business, it would meet our needs. This interview is Thursday, so please be praying.

Chris has been employed by a woman he freelances for part-time. He goes there on Monday and Tuesdays for about five hours a day. He has also been able to pick up extra hours when she needs additional assistance. The extra income is sure a blessing.

Thank you to all those who are praying for our family. God is faithful!

Interview

Chris has an interview with The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County....Yeah! This would be a great job because it has set hours and city/county benefits. The interview is tomorrow at 2:00. Please pray that God will give Chris the words to say and the confidence he needs to pitch himself. Thanks to all who are praying, we can't ask for anything more.

Laid Off!

Yesterday afternoon Chris was informed that the Enquirer was shutting down 2 of the magazines he worked on and that he would no longer have a job, effective immediately. He will receive five weeks of severance but needs to find a new job. Please keep our family in your prayers as we are assured God will use this for His glory.