The Virtuous Woman

About a month ago I started looking for a job. I really love being a stay at home mom but with the holidays coming up, it would be really nice to have some extra money. But it's been hard to find anything because before opening my home daycare in 2008, I worked in nursing, which usually requires flexible hours, and right now my schedule is anything but flexible.


 At the end of August, Roger started a new career as a correctional officer...yay! He applied about a year ago and finally started the academy on August 26th. He graduates Monday, I'm so proud of him! He took quite a paycut to go work at the prison (about $10,000 a year), but where he was previously employed work was very slow and unpredictable. Plus there are some serious pros to working for the state! The health benefits are very affordable, and the coverage is amazing! And he can retire in 20 years, which is a nice option. The only downside is gone are the days of working Monday- Friday during the day, and having holidays off. He hasn't gotten an official schedule from the prison yet, but we do know he will be working 4pm to 12am, and most likely he will have Wednesdays and Thursdays off. This new schedule is definitely gonna take some getting used to, but when you really look at it, Roger is actually gonna get to spend more time with me and the kids. His new schedule is also what is allowing me to get a job. Basically the only way it's even worth it for me to work is if I work during the hours Roger is home. There is no way we can afford daycare, in my area the going rate for an infant in a home daycare is at least $150 a week, for a center people pay upwards of $275 a week! Jackie won't be 2 until February so I would pay those fees times two, so daycare would cost at least $300 and as much as $550 a week! Plus, we would still have to provide formula, diapers, and wipes, I seriously don't know how people afford it. Anyway, I was having no luck finding a nursing position with day hours, and I had pretty much given up when my younger sister called me to tell me the nursing home she works for is hiring! She said her boss is looking for someone with experience to work part-time 6am-2pm, and he is willing to be flexible as far as which days I work, and most importantly I will have Sundays off. What an answer to prayer! Or so I thought. At the beginning of my job search well over a month ago, I saw a newspaper ad for a local organization that I have always wanted to work for was hiring. They were looking for someone to work in their day program for adults with disabilities. It would be a full-time, Monday-Friday, day hours, holidays off kind of job. I have a lot of experience in this kind of setting, before I opened my home daycare I worked in another day program that did the same thing for over 3 years. So I figured I'd give it a shot and apply, but I didn't have much hope that they would ever contact me because this specific organization is very popular, and they are like never hiring because people really enjoy working there. Well, to my shock, on Friday I got a call from them to set up an interview for the job! I have an interview Monday at 11am, and I am so nervous! Of course I don't have the job yet, but if they do offer it to me I am so torn on what to do. Working full-time would be great as far as money goes, but I am certain me and Roger's work schedules are gonna overlap by about an hour. So I would have to figure out what to do with the kids so that Roger can get to work on time. We are also a one car family, so that presents a problem all on its own, but I am pretty certain we could work something out with the help of my family. Plus since Roger is gonna be off 2 days during the week, we would only have these problems for three days out of the five. Then there's the whole question of do I really want to be away from my kids for 40 hours a week? I'm not sure....the only comfort that I would have working full-time is that the kids would be with Roger and not in daycare. Even if I ended up being ok with Roger having the kids all day, when would I ever see my husband? I don't know...as you can see there are a lot of details that have to be ironed out for me to work full-time. But I have decided I will take this one step at a time. First, I'm gonna get through the interview Monday. Then, if they actually offer me the job I will worry about all the details. But if they don't then I will be starting the part-time position at the nursing home.

Either way, this momma is heading back to work! I haven't had a job since last December, so I am looking forward to contributing to our family again, and also taking some of the burden off my husband. I was feeling guilty about leaving my babies, but I was reminded of the virtuous woman while reading proverbs 31 this morning. I love how the Bible goes through and lists all the jobs she has to help provide for her family. Here are just a few, the Bible lists way more than this!

Verses 13-16," She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maids. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard."

I love these 2 verses! Verses 27 and 28," She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."

Please Lord, help me to be like the virtuous woman!