Bemenra
Humble Prayer Partner
Greetings from Alaska… This post will serve as an update. Thank you for all of your prayers and kind words. I am truly, truly grateful. I know there is power in prayer! Today is Sunday, the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). I have been sitting in my van for nearly 9 hours, the temperature is -28°F. Today is my (step) daughter’s birthday. It makes me sad because I am the type of father that goes all out to make special days really special I have prayed for her, hoping that she had a great day. I just finished taking the Lord supper here while overlooking the Alaska range. It’s 2:38 pm, goodbye Sun (Ps 19:4-5). Small blessings : I am thankful that I was recently moved to a much better bunk in a less crowded room. It does not stink & there is no bunk above me. However, I’m not sure how long I will have it. A mother of one of my players contacted me about a room for rent – $600 a month. It’s two of her friends and they would like to have another person to rent one of the rooms. At first I thought, no, but then later I thought I would on a temporary basis. It would get me out of the shelter and give me some dignity. She said the two women are rarely there because they’re so busy in their jobs and doing Instacart. A lot of places in Alaska are small apartments that cost $1500-$2000 a month. It’s just too much for me at this point, considering my situation at the school. I have been doing DoorDash. This week I have made nearly $600 which is not a lot, but I am thankful to God for DoorDash and the ability to make quick money that can be used instantly. If I lose the teaching job, it will be my only source of income I’m confident that God will provide. So, $600 in rent is a lot better than $1500 in rent. I am thankful to God for the strength he has given me to go out and do DoorDash. It does take strength (Phil 4:13). It’s cold (-28 F), slippery (ice), etc. Also, the mental stress of Christmas music, decorations, etc. Also, I’m 54. Tomorrow, will be two weeks since I have heard from the union about my teaching job. The last word I received was they did not want me back. Remember, this is a contract issue and no fault of my own. My faith is in God, and if I lose that job, I am convinced it is part of the providential hand of God (Esther 4:14). In the past, I have seen God close doors and then suddenly a much better door opened up; it’s the reason I initially moved to Alaska in 2019, the year my mother died. Since, I began DoorDash (August), I have averaged about $500/wk. a week. This next week going to try to make $1000 a week in view of possibly it being my only source of income in the near future. The last time I spoke to the union attorney he told me he had a resolution in which I would receive three or four months salary with benefits. He said I could probably get my whole contract if I was willing to wait a whole year and deal with an arbitrator. Of course, there is also the chance I could get $0. I have been praying for wisdom. I was always taught a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. Obviously, $15,000-$20,000 would be a huge blessing in so many ways. However, waiting a year might be out of principal more than wisdom. I love my wife (Kai) and I miss her deeply. Every Sunday, I always pray that she will hear a sermon or a class or a Bible passage that touches her heart in such a way that she reaches out to me. I believe one phone call, one text message or email could resolve this whole issue and put our family back together. I pray that God is working. I feel God working in my life. I often wonder what God is doing in her life… if anything. I know the holiday season will be very difficult. It already is especially for a father that goes overboard to make special days special. I miss my children terribly and I ask you to continue to pray that something will happen that will change everything. I am truly grateful that you have read this long update. I always try to indent the paragraphs and sometimes it works and sometimes it does not so I’m grateful that you have read this read this entire thread. I ask you to pray for the things That I have included thanking God for the blessings given to me and pleading with God on my behalf before the throne, room of grace and mercy that somehow everything will be restored. My life is NOT easy right now…. I have lots of weak moments. May God bless you and lead you in your own life. Thank you very much.