That Time Everything Worked Out Perfectly // part 2

Brooke and I clicked right away. We talked on the phone for probably an hour and then made plans to meet up later that week. I could tell right away that she was crazy about her girls, and I loved that she was whispering through our whole convo while her 5 month old slept in her arms. 

They live half way up Queen Anne hill, a quiet part of the neighborhood with lots of sidewalks and a playground nearby. I was greeted by a mommy and a baby, and could hear a big sister playing in her bedroom. It took a few minutes before she felt like coming out to meet me but, when she did, I heard all about her teacher at school and the artwork she’d made that day. She showed me her favorite books while her sister kicked and cooed on the floor next to where we sat. I think we were buddies from that point on. Baby sis was such a cutie! Totally calm and happy. I just wanted to snuggle and cuddle her but refrained just a bit so as not to seem too excited. Ha! 

This felt perfect. The hours were exactly what I needed, I felt at home right away in their space, the girls and I got off to a great start, and like I said, Brooke and I really hit it off. But I had competition! Brooke let me know that she’d already interviewed a couple other nannies and that she had a couple more later that week. We parted ways, happy to have met, and with promises to be in touch soon. 

Two days before Christmas, Brooke gave me a call. I could hear that her house was full of company - her family was visiting for Christmas! She told me that the other interviews had gone okay but when she asked Shelby which nanny she liked the best, Shelby said ‘Joy! I liked Joy the best!’ Oh my. Talk about heart melt. It meant so much to me that Shelby could tell we’d make a good pair from just that first little while together. Turns out, Brooke agreed with the girls and asked if I’d like to be Paige and Shelby’s nanny. Yes! I’d love to! 

This was it! What a relief to find a family that you just fit into right away! God had this all planned out for me and I was so thankful! Not only was it evident by how well we all hit it off in the beginning, but a few weeks later there was another big surprise that God knew was coming, even though I didn’t! I’m so glad He can see the big picture ;)

...To Be Continued...

Tell me about a time something just clicked together perfectly for you. A new job? A new friendship? 

xoxo

Joy

That Time Everything Worked Out Perfectly // part 1

That Time Everything Worked Out Perfectly // part 1

Uniformed Nanny, 1967 via Pinterest

It was about this time, 2 years ago, that I started looking for my first nanny gig. I talked on the phone to quite a few families but all of those conversations turned out to be practice calls until I met Teresa. Her voice was sweet and I could hear her two boys playing in the background. We made plans to meet. 

I met Teresa and her 2 sons, Henry and Jack, a couple days later. We had a nice evening together, playing with trains, reading books, making snacks. Teresa and I had good conversation about what she needed in a nanny and my experience with kids. Looking back, I can’t say that I felt uneasy at all. The boys were rambunctious but sweet. Teresa was kind and welcoming. The evening ended on a good note and I felt excited that this might be my new ‘nanny family’. 

Over the next few days we talked about more details - schedules, transportation arrangements, hourly wage. It seemed like this was it! By the end of the week though, I started to feel unsettled with the idea of working for them. I tried to figure out what was making me feel differently than when I’d first met Teresa and the boys, but I couldn’t put a finger on it. I just didn’t have a peace about it. Camillo and I prayed and I finally just felt God say to me that this wasn’t what He had for me. Plain and simple. 

This is not where I’m taking you. 

I made the decision to decline Teresa’s offer to be Henry and Jack’s nanny. It was really weird. I hate feeling like I’m disappointing people. I’d gotten this far in the interview process, only to turn her down. On the phone, she kept asking if something was wrong, why didn’t I want to work for them? I was a little shy to talk to tell her my real reason, so I had a couple lame explanations at first. Finally, when none of them satisfied her, I told her the truth. I told her that I am a person who trusts God to lead me where He wants me to be. There was nothing wrong with her family, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to work with them, I just felt like this wasn’t the direction I was supposed to go. 

I could tell she thought I was a little nutty but, by being real and honest with her like that, I was able to hang up the phone, confident that I’d said what needed to be said. Had I beat around the bush, I probably would have wondered ‘did I say the right thing?’ or ‘did I sound rude or immature?’. I’m glad I was honest with her about my faith. Sometimes I worry that people will just blow me off if I start talking about Jesus. Especially in Seattle. But I'm learning to be bolder and not worry so much what people think about me. 

Even though I didn’t know what God had for me next, I was at peace with continuing my job search. Over the next few days, I met a couple really sweet girls. Maybe this was it? My new ‘nanny family’?

...To Be Continued…

Have you ever been given an opportunity that seemed like a good idea in every aspect..except for that uneasy gut feeling? What did you do? Join the conversation in the comments below!

xoxo
Joy

That Time Everything Worked Out Perfectly // part 2

I'm Not Foolin' Anybody

I thought it'd be fun to write an April Fool's post. But then I woke up this morning feeling quite un-witty or clever. So, I'll just give you some photos of two fantastic little leggies. And a handsome Easter shirt. And quite possibly our only family photo. 

We had such a happy Easter. I hope you did, too! It was a gorgeous day here in Seattle and we celebrated Jesus being alive with good music, great friends, and tasty food. 

So as not to waste a perfectly good April 1st, here and here are a couple pranks that had me going. But only for one second. 

Happy April!!

xoxo

Joy

This month of March has been so revealing. The Holy Spirit has been showing areas in my heart that need to be scrubbed clean. The little corners that hold Camillo accountable to my unfair expectations. Or the pieces that I've let remain hard and calloused for the sake of self-protection. The spaces that I've tried to fill with petty things instead of walking out my new identity in Christ. 

I know it's good for me but ya know what? It hurts really bad. Yesterday morning I was telling Jesus how I'm tired. I kinda feel like I've been beaten up. I just want to duck and cover. For the first time ever, I am physically, mentally, emotionally feeling the weight of my sins. I don't mean I've never felt regret or remorse for them. But before, it was easier to brush them off and claim my salvation. I know Jesus died for my sins but He's God so He could handle it. That was my attitude. 

Along with revealing my heart, Jesus has been revealing Himself to me in a new way. He came to earth as a human being. He wasn't here as Superman. He had a heart that pulsed blood just like any of us. So when they whipped Him, it was blindingly painful. And He felt it. When they shoved a crown of thorns into His scalp, it burned like fire. And He felt it. When He took my sins upon His shoulders, they were heavy and heart wrenching and treacherous. And He felt the weight of every one of them. Every one of mine and every one of yours. 

This week I've only felt a teeny tiny pinch compared to what Jesus endured for me. It's been painful and exhausting but if I didn't feel that, I couldn't appreciate the enormity of the cross and the man who took my death sentence. Because He loves me. I killed Him with my sins and He still loves me. It's a very somber revelation but it's the absolute truth. In this truth there's hope! He took our sins so that we can live. I choose Jesus and I choose life!!

xoxo

Joy

'..joy comes in the morning' Psalm 30:5

Okay, so I've been hearing a lot about the 'quarter life crisis'. Maybe that's what this was. Okay, still kind of is. Or maybe it was a case of baby blues. Whatever it was/is, it's real. And apparently I'm not alone. So who's with me?!?

I guess it's common to, in your mid 20's, experience a shift in pressure. For me, my shift came blowing in with a baby and career change. Add some pretty dramatic family changes and I had myself a crisis. Or so I felt - there beneath the crushing weight of my circumstances. I wasn't realizing that these circumstances are called life. I was trying to hold it all together, make it all better, by myself in my own strength in my own way.

Of course I was exhausted/anxious/an emotional wreck/losing my mind. I was putting my hope in circumstances, rather than in Jesus. So when my circumstances felt confusing and hopeless, I felt confused and hopeless. I felt weak and small, but it's here that Jesus reminds me that He's here to carry me through.

It's a process - I'm not saying it's all figured out. It takes a daily, conscious effort to turn my hope away from my circumstances and towards my Savior. I'm more hopeful now than I've been in months. So I encourage you! The things you're gong through now are only temporary. Don't let your circumstances hold your hope! Put your trust in Jesus and joy will come.

xoxo
Joy

note: I'm sure you've noticed I've been talking a lot more about my faith. If you have any questions about who Jesus is to me, or what I believe, please feel free to ask. Either in the comments below or by email happycandido[at]gmail[dot]com

On Praying In The Laundry Room

Today's weather has been perfect.

I woke up really tired and a little bummed to be having to go to work.

But walking out the door every morning to the sunrise over the water most certainly picks me up.

I like to think it's God's "Good morning!" just for me.

After work, the weather had changed and I got to drive home in the windy rain.

The best weather for a nap, am I right?!

Thanks, Jesus.

It's been a month since my new job and so much has already changed!
I'm still very thankful for it but there have been a couple days, like today, that I wonder what I've gotten myself into.
Turns out, I wasn't hired for the position I thought I was.
How does that even happen?
Not saying I'm too good to wash/dry/fold 6,940 towels every morning but it feels like I'm a little misplaced.
Considering the other new girl is loud and obnoxious and has a mouth like a sailor.
Am I the only one uncomfortable with this picture?
No, the 12 people that are trying to check in for a workout are probably a little uncomfortable with the F bomb, too.

It's okay, I've found the solution.
The laundry room is a great place to pray.
I've been trying to be more intentional about praying.
It helps a lot and today was no exception.

Anyways.
Thanks for listening.
Venting won't be a very common occurrence, promise.

I'm so happy for the weekend!
Do you guys have any plans?

xoxo
Joy

Something just filled me up

I can't quite tell what this feeling is.

I'm sitting here in the coffee shop and I've suddenly been hit with an overwhelming sense of 

peace/inspiration/joy/creativity/excitement/urgency

Where has this come from?

I want to paint/sing/sew/write/draw/cut/paste/edit/shoot.

Oh, it's refreshing breath of air and it's just what I've needed in this muck of things.

Thanks, Jesus.