Many new developments have been swirling around in my life lately, but perhaps at the forefront of all this has been my new job! After (literally) months of searching and praying and false hopes and financial strain and new meaning, I am finally employed. My new title is ‘direct support professional’ which makes me wonder, because I definitely don’t feel like my current knowledge allows for the use of the term professional. At any rate, I will be working in both a womens’ and a mens’ home where 6 women with disabilities and 6 men with disabilities, respectively, live. I will be helping support these men and women with a variety of different things from cleaning and cooking to showering and dressing. Different people have different ranges of disabilities, and as a result, require varying degrees of support in any given task. It is our job to help them live as independently, but also with the best quality of life, as possible. I have worked a few days now, and believe that I will enjoy the work despite the long shifts and scheduling hours. It will be nice to be getting an income again, and not have to watch basically all my life savings slowly but surely disappear. This summer has definitely been a summer of trusting God to provide. He has provided through many means: the community garden, the food bank, the emergency shelter, selfless roommates, generous friends, loving and giving parents and grandparents, as well as many small but powerful gifts and stories along the way.
