My mother in law was born on October 28th, St. Jude`s feast day and due to this my DH family and him have a very big devotion to him.
Even his "black sheep" brother who says he is agnostic (we all laugh at this !) had me buy 2 stamps of St Jude: one for the room of his newborn son and one which he carries at all times in his wallet. A big secret, but one that shows how important he is to DH family.
St. Jude is extremely popular in Mexico and many churches will be packed tomorrow. One in particular receives thousands upon thousands of visitors around the 28th of each month and the streets around it colapse. Tomorrow maybe it will receive over 100 thousand visitors or more.
Still I did not now a lot about him for many years, nor felt particularily close. In my family the main devotions were to St. Anthony and the Sacred Heart and little was spoken about st. Jude.
But time and time again I have seen the many miracles he has performed and he is slowly becoming one of the saints that is most important to my new family with my DH.
Well in the last weeks for some reason St. Jude has been making his appearance in our lives, all approaching his feast day.
My father in law is very happy about this and my DH thinks his mother is sending signals. Maybe all of this sound crazy, but so many things at once and all related to him. I like to think of it as signals or little caresses from him and my mother in law.
The first one was the day before Josemaria`s baptism when we visited the church where he was going to be baptized and my DH had been mentioning that he was sad his mother had never met her grandson. That she would have loved him.
We had been discussing this the night before when I went the following morning into the church and right there surprisingly I see a statue of St. Jude.
This was a surprise since there are no statues in this church which was part of an Hacienda of the late 1800`s. Its a very plain church and this was the very first time I had seen it. The only other image there is the Virgin of Guadalupe.
Right there in the middle of the little church. Dressed in green stood St. Jude.
At the very same time the parish priest came in and I asked him why the statue was there and he said: " there was a wedding here last week and the couple brought the statue and then forgot it. I do not know why its still here and not in the rectory" He then began to take it back to backroom when I tell him to wait, if he could leave it until the next day. And he said yes, of course.
Had I not bee there at this very moment St. Jude would have disappeared.
And so St. Jude was present at the front of the church ., without us even planning it at my sons baptism. `
Later that same week my DH was eagerly awaiting the call of when he would start his first day of work. His first full time work after 2 years of waiting . A job that we think its a perfect fit for him. He waited and waited for the call. Then he got it, but the start date moved several times and it seemed it could be until middle November. He was growing discouraged.
He started to pray to ST. Jude.
And then a couple of days ago he get`s the final call for an urgent meeting. Could he start on Friday the 28th, St. Jude`s feast day? with much better conditions than expected?
Start on a Friday? why not wait until Monday or even better the 1st of the month? It seems there is a course that his boss wants him to attend as well as a crucial meeting and so everything moved to this Friday.
We took it as a sign. 2 years of waiting for a good job, one that would be a good fit for him and the start date is his mom`s birthday, St. Jude`s day?????
Then yesterday I receive a call. The call for the 4th interview from the amazing company. Classified as one of the top 5 in the world to work for, on in the league of Ap. ple. I have never ever been called for so many interviews for a job, nor asked for so much information. And I was not looking at all. They found my profile on linke.din.
Supposedly the call to let me know if the interviews would continue and how I had done was on Monday, but it never happened and I thought I was out of the race. The decision had been made.
Well on Wednesday they told me that they have very good news and they want me to talk to the head of Marketing for Latin America tomorrow October 28th for the final interview. If I pass this interview I am practically going to be offered the position.
A dream job from a professional perspective., ( Note: one I am not sure I could accept in the case I were selected now being the new mother of Josemaria. I would need the same conditions as my current job working from home, flexible hours, long vacation time, etc. which I have earned after 12 years with my European company and I am not sure they would give them to me for this position and this is absolutely a must for me now)
I have been hating my job for the last 3 years, but I wanted some stability in our IF battle and needed the insurance. Also in case we were to adopt. I know it will be incredibly hard to go back to work there in January, but at the same time this is the only option that has so many benefits for my family for the time being.
I have been thinking a lot about what to do. A few years ago I would have said yes inmediately to this new job, but now I am not sure and how to go about things if I were to be offered this.
One important aspect is that I need to work for the time being for financial reasons until DH job stabilizes and he reaches a point where he can fully support us, has full insurance, etc specially if we would like to adopt a couple of times more and for me to continue with my Napro treatment which is extremely expensive to do long distance.
I can quit and we can live for some time from our savings and his salary, but I know this would put at risk future adoptions.
This stability in his new job can take from a few months to a couple of years (I think a couple of years is most probable)
My practitioner practice is doing OK and I always have more requests than I can handle., but I have been giving a lot of my time for free to promote this and most of our money and the few hundred dollars I have earned has gone to trying to bring Napro here. So living from this for the time being is not an option.
So all of this has been running through my mind and I have spent several sleepless nights over it , but when I found that the final interview would take place tomorrow on St. Jude`s day I felt a lot of peace since I think he is interceeding over all of this also.
I am asking him to guide me in this job process and to let me know with no uncertain terms what is best for my family on the long term or that I can negotiate what is best for my family.
We are also asking him that finally my DH has found the right job for him and one where he can develop his many talents.
With so many signs I am sure St. Jude has been with us and he will right there interceeding for us as well as my mother in law.
On my son`s baptism, on my DH first day on his dream job and for the final interview for the most important job ever I have been offered.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Godincidences and a prayer request
The 21st of April is a very special day, since its the day Josemaria was born.
Also is the day St. Gianna Molla gave birth to the little girl she gave her life for and since we got married on her feast day, April 28th, it has a very, very special meaning to since we saw it as a sign that St. Gianna had a lot to do with our adoption.
Today that day became even more special since I just found out an amazing Godincidence. I have a cousin with whom I lived n Germany as a child and I always felt a very special love for her and her family. Her mother is very close to my dad and they have always been extremely generous to us even when they lacked money. Both my brother and I have stayed with them for months during summer vacation and my aunt was just like a mom to us.
Well my cousin got married several years ago, more than 7 or 8, but never had children and I understand she tried all this time. She is now over 44. She lives in Switzerland and I did not know it until a few days ago, but she experienced over 4 IVF`s, one miscarriage and even had a lung clot due to the IVF drugs. All was a very big secret in my dad`s family and I only found out about it when she wrote to congratulate me on Josemaria.
Well for the last 3 to 4 years she has tried to adopt from Mexico, a country where she lived and loves like her second home. She also kept this a secret until a few months ago. Since she lived abroad the adoption was very difficult since Mexico asks for people to live in the country so they can do follow ups on the babies. They were offered several babies over the time and experienced tremendous issues and loss since hers was not a normal adoption.
Well she came to stay for a few months a few weeks ago since they got the call that a baby boy of 1 year and 5 months was available for adoption. Her husband has been back and forth since he could not leave his job. They were taking a very large risk that they would be denied again.
Well today my dad calls me completly in awe. The baby boy is now her son, he is now living with her since Friday, he will be called Philip Alexander and he was born also on April 21st, one year before Josemaria.
The only 2 adoptions in our family history and both born on the very same and special day.
I know she will make an amazing mother and I am so happy for her and to share April 21st as the day we became mothers.
And now an update and a prayer request.
The update is about the last time I asked for prayers about my friend that had six miscarriages and was pregnant. Well she is still pregnant, over 12 weeks, the baby is very healthy and all looks perfect.. The local doctor is my hero, he was extremely aggressive with treatment, Dr. H agreed with him on the protocol (she was in the process of going to Omaha) and has been watching her like a hawk. She asked me to thank all that had prayed for her and to continue to keep her in your prayers. She sees this pregnancy as no less than a miracle and most doctors would say the same.
The prayer request is for our biggest Napro.techno.logy supporter in Mexico. She became a mother last Friday, but the baby stopped breathing shortly after and is now in the ICU hooked to a ventilator. They still do not know if there is brain damage, there is a very large risk for infections and prognosis is reserved.
A. has been the biggest supporter ever for us in trying to bring Napro here. She attended Love and life at the PPVI in April (she was alreadly pregnant), has been opening doors for us left and right, has invited me to speak on behalf of Napro countless time and has sponsored 2 of the doctors that have studied in Omaha, etc.
She is a lawyer and heads one of the top prolife agencies in the country. Countless lives have been saved because of her and now she is facing this after longing for a baby for a very long time.
This is one of the very hard things to understand about life, a person that has fought for life her whole life and she is asked to endure this horrible trial.
She has asked for continous prayers and I would like to ask all of you to join us in prayer for Josè Juliàn (the baby) and her and her DH. She would really really appreciate them
Also is the day St. Gianna Molla gave birth to the little girl she gave her life for and since we got married on her feast day, April 28th, it has a very, very special meaning to since we saw it as a sign that St. Gianna had a lot to do with our adoption.
Today that day became even more special since I just found out an amazing Godincidence. I have a cousin with whom I lived n Germany as a child and I always felt a very special love for her and her family. Her mother is very close to my dad and they have always been extremely generous to us even when they lacked money. Both my brother and I have stayed with them for months during summer vacation and my aunt was just like a mom to us.
Well my cousin got married several years ago, more than 7 or 8, but never had children and I understand she tried all this time. She is now over 44. She lives in Switzerland and I did not know it until a few days ago, but she experienced over 4 IVF`s, one miscarriage and even had a lung clot due to the IVF drugs. All was a very big secret in my dad`s family and I only found out about it when she wrote to congratulate me on Josemaria.
Well for the last 3 to 4 years she has tried to adopt from Mexico, a country where she lived and loves like her second home. She also kept this a secret until a few months ago. Since she lived abroad the adoption was very difficult since Mexico asks for people to live in the country so they can do follow ups on the babies. They were offered several babies over the time and experienced tremendous issues and loss since hers was not a normal adoption.
Well she came to stay for a few months a few weeks ago since they got the call that a baby boy of 1 year and 5 months was available for adoption. Her husband has been back and forth since he could not leave his job. They were taking a very large risk that they would be denied again.
Well today my dad calls me completly in awe. The baby boy is now her son, he is now living with her since Friday, he will be called Philip Alexander and he was born also on April 21st, one year before Josemaria.
The only 2 adoptions in our family history and both born on the very same and special day.
I know she will make an amazing mother and I am so happy for her and to share April 21st as the day we became mothers.
And now an update and a prayer request.
The update is about the last time I asked for prayers about my friend that had six miscarriages and was pregnant. Well she is still pregnant, over 12 weeks, the baby is very healthy and all looks perfect.. The local doctor is my hero, he was extremely aggressive with treatment, Dr. H agreed with him on the protocol (she was in the process of going to Omaha) and has been watching her like a hawk. She asked me to thank all that had prayed for her and to continue to keep her in your prayers. She sees this pregnancy as no less than a miracle and most doctors would say the same.
The prayer request is for our biggest Napro.techno.logy supporter in Mexico. She became a mother last Friday, but the baby stopped breathing shortly after and is now in the ICU hooked to a ventilator. They still do not know if there is brain damage, there is a very large risk for infections and prognosis is reserved.
A. has been the biggest supporter ever for us in trying to bring Napro here. She attended Love and life at the PPVI in April (she was alreadly pregnant), has been opening doors for us left and right, has invited me to speak on behalf of Napro countless time and has sponsored 2 of the doctors that have studied in Omaha, etc.
She is a lawyer and heads one of the top prolife agencies in the country. Countless lives have been saved because of her and now she is facing this after longing for a baby for a very long time.
This is one of the very hard things to understand about life, a person that has fought for life her whole life and she is asked to endure this horrible trial.
She has asked for continous prayers and I would like to ask all of you to join us in prayer for Josè Juliàn (the baby) and her and her DH. She would really really appreciate them
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Missing you all
I am so sorry for not updating and being able to comment for more than 6 weeks now.
Blogger and computer issues made my life impossible all this time. I tried to post, but all my posts got lost somehow. Since I was on my home computer (I usually wrote from my work one) and later was locked out of this one I did not know how to fix the issue. After 5 or 6 posts got lost I gave up 3 weeks ago, but decided to try again from another computer tonight. The one donated by the bishop to the project here in Mexico. Hoping it works!!
I have been reading most blogs on my phone and have been praying for all of those still waiting. I wanted to comment and update soooooooo badly.
Many many things have happened in these weeks. Not only I am on maternity leave and completly and absolutely in love with a 5 month old boy and being a housewife for the very first time in my life cooking and cleaning away, but my DH "lost" his job and now has a new one, my dad had cancer surgery, we finished the adoption process, we baptized Josemaria, I have been interviewing for a top company (they called me out of the blue) I lost my boss (due to medical reasons) and a whole group from Mexico attended education phase I at the Po.pe Paul VI institue in Omaha with which we start Napro here. Things have been anything but boring.
Here are some of the highlights:
My dad had surgery for cancer during this time. He recuperated quite well and the doctors were astonished at his attitude and strenght for being 73. It was confirmed to be cancer, a faster than normal for prostate growing one, and although the doctors were extremely happy for the surgery and its results, last week we found out he will need radiation, 30 sessions or more, since in some exams they found still traces of cancer in his body.
The urologist explained to him that its his decison to go ahead with this. He said that 50% of the urologists would recommend it and 50% not. The ones that would not its because of the very slow growth rates of prostate cancer and my dads age. The 50% that would do it its because it can migrate anywhere in the body and become something very bad. A sligth chance, but one that my dad is not willing to take.
I think a lot has to do with his newest grandson and also since the doctors told him that inside his organs look like he is 50 and he recuperated so rapidly from the surgery. Its like a new lease on life for him.
Almost at the very same time my DH had a heart to heart conversation with his boss and it was very clear that there was no future there. We were sad and also a little bit angy since he had been giving him hope for many months (even years) and this came just after we had adopted and he suddenly had no job, but it became a blessing in disguise.
He left a few days after this talk, in very good terms, and has since been home with Josemaria and I, a blessed time for sure and will start a new job in the next days. One far more fitting for him, working for an advanced education institution with a very good future. He is quite happy, but also saddened at not being able to spend so much time with our son. His schedule will be very, very busy at the beginning and he will need to study some of the courses at the institute so he can sell them later. He will see Josemaria perhaps a couple of hours a day while he is awake tops. This talk with his boss was what he needed to make the decsion and now I am very glad it happened.
We baptized Josermarìa last Saturday, on the Feast of St Teresa of Avila. We chose this date since its very close to my DH birthday, my dad was well enough to attend and my DH is a carmelite. It was a joyous occasion and I hope to post pictures very soon. Tons and tons of people attended and the reception by all was amazing. We also have finished all of the post adoption paper work, he now has all the rights of a biological son and we are in the process of getting him his German nationality and the passports.
On my job front: I lost my boss during this time. After I left some things happened that made it clear that my boss could not continue to manage a team due to his health. I received a call one day that he would go on medical leave and my team would report in the mean time to another team member. My whole team was in panic and things have not been easy since. People have been trying to dominate and my team has suffered a lot. I was asked if I would be interested in taking on this position when I came back in January and I said yes, but that I would not make any decisions until the time came. I am not sure what I will find in January:; new boss, new position, etc, but I am trying to remain calm. I had negotiated with my former boss to work mainly from home and a very flexible schedule, but I am not sure what will happen.
During this time I have received several calls by headhunters, one in particular by a great company. One that would be a dream come true, but it comes at the time I am focusing on motherhood. I do not understand the timing of all of this just like my boss leaving.
I have already had 5 interviews with them and I am one of the 3 last candidates of of many (in the prior round we were 30). I am very flattered that they thought about me and that they are still thinking about me after all these talks. I am trying not to think too much in advance (its a very very difficult company to get into, similar to Apple and it might be along shot)and not make any decisions, but I am clear that my first priority is Josemaria and I would only accept if its compatible with a personal life. AT this time I do not know if it is.
And last but now least. A very dear friend of mine attended EPI to become a practitioner alongside 2 doctors. With this I really feel that Napro will be coming to Mexico very soon. Also a priest from my parish (originally from Canada) attended the support program, called love and life and he will be working with us in getting couples the needed support.
Need to log off and praying this post does not get lost again!!! I continue to pray for all of you!
Blogger and computer issues made my life impossible all this time. I tried to post, but all my posts got lost somehow. Since I was on my home computer (I usually wrote from my work one) and later was locked out of this one I did not know how to fix the issue. After 5 or 6 posts got lost I gave up 3 weeks ago, but decided to try again from another computer tonight. The one donated by the bishop to the project here in Mexico. Hoping it works!!
I have been reading most blogs on my phone and have been praying for all of those still waiting. I wanted to comment and update soooooooo badly.
Many many things have happened in these weeks. Not only I am on maternity leave and completly and absolutely in love with a 5 month old boy and being a housewife for the very first time in my life cooking and cleaning away, but my DH "lost" his job and now has a new one, my dad had cancer surgery, we finished the adoption process, we baptized Josemaria, I have been interviewing for a top company (they called me out of the blue) I lost my boss (due to medical reasons) and a whole group from Mexico attended education phase I at the Po.pe Paul VI institue in Omaha with which we start Napro here. Things have been anything but boring.
Here are some of the highlights:
My dad had surgery for cancer during this time. He recuperated quite well and the doctors were astonished at his attitude and strenght for being 73. It was confirmed to be cancer, a faster than normal for prostate growing one, and although the doctors were extremely happy for the surgery and its results, last week we found out he will need radiation, 30 sessions or more, since in some exams they found still traces of cancer in his body.
The urologist explained to him that its his decison to go ahead with this. He said that 50% of the urologists would recommend it and 50% not. The ones that would not its because of the very slow growth rates of prostate cancer and my dads age. The 50% that would do it its because it can migrate anywhere in the body and become something very bad. A sligth chance, but one that my dad is not willing to take.
I think a lot has to do with his newest grandson and also since the doctors told him that inside his organs look like he is 50 and he recuperated so rapidly from the surgery. Its like a new lease on life for him.
Almost at the very same time my DH had a heart to heart conversation with his boss and it was very clear that there was no future there. We were sad and also a little bit angy since he had been giving him hope for many months (even years) and this came just after we had adopted and he suddenly had no job, but it became a blessing in disguise.
He left a few days after this talk, in very good terms, and has since been home with Josemaria and I, a blessed time for sure and will start a new job in the next days. One far more fitting for him, working for an advanced education institution with a very good future. He is quite happy, but also saddened at not being able to spend so much time with our son. His schedule will be very, very busy at the beginning and he will need to study some of the courses at the institute so he can sell them later. He will see Josemaria perhaps a couple of hours a day while he is awake tops. This talk with his boss was what he needed to make the decsion and now I am very glad it happened.
We baptized Josermarìa last Saturday, on the Feast of St Teresa of Avila. We chose this date since its very close to my DH birthday, my dad was well enough to attend and my DH is a carmelite. It was a joyous occasion and I hope to post pictures very soon. Tons and tons of people attended and the reception by all was amazing. We also have finished all of the post adoption paper work, he now has all the rights of a biological son and we are in the process of getting him his German nationality and the passports.
On my job front: I lost my boss during this time. After I left some things happened that made it clear that my boss could not continue to manage a team due to his health. I received a call one day that he would go on medical leave and my team would report in the mean time to another team member. My whole team was in panic and things have not been easy since. People have been trying to dominate and my team has suffered a lot. I was asked if I would be interested in taking on this position when I came back in January and I said yes, but that I would not make any decisions until the time came. I am not sure what I will find in January:; new boss, new position, etc, but I am trying to remain calm. I had negotiated with my former boss to work mainly from home and a very flexible schedule, but I am not sure what will happen.
During this time I have received several calls by headhunters, one in particular by a great company. One that would be a dream come true, but it comes at the time I am focusing on motherhood. I do not understand the timing of all of this just like my boss leaving.
I have already had 5 interviews with them and I am one of the 3 last candidates of of many (in the prior round we were 30). I am very flattered that they thought about me and that they are still thinking about me after all these talks. I am trying not to think too much in advance (its a very very difficult company to get into, similar to Apple and it might be along shot)and not make any decisions, but I am clear that my first priority is Josemaria and I would only accept if its compatible with a personal life. AT this time I do not know if it is.
And last but now least. A very dear friend of mine attended EPI to become a practitioner alongside 2 doctors. With this I really feel that Napro will be coming to Mexico very soon. Also a priest from my parish (originally from Canada) attended the support program, called love and life and he will be working with us in getting couples the needed support.
Need to log off and praying this post does not get lost again!!! I continue to pray for all of you!
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