Last fall, my main prayer was, "Lord, please provide for me a job." I had put in a few applications here and there, but just kept praying for the Lord to lead me. Then one day in October, my mom says to me, "Hey Holly, Mrs. Freida left a message for you and Brooke about someone she knows who needs a babysitter. You should call her back. It might be a good way to make some extra money." At first, I didn't feel like calling her back, although I appreciated her kindness. I had several babysitting jobs in the past, and while they were a blessing, I felt like I needed a more "sturdy" source of income. A real job. You know, like at a store or something. After I realized that no one seemed very eager to hire me out there in the work force, I decided I would go ahead and contact this lady who needed a sitter. This decision has been one of the best ones I've ever made.
I remember when Melissa first called me. I'm not really big on talking to people I don't know on the phone, so yeah, I was kind of hesitant. First thing I noticed was how sweet and friendly she was. She told me all about her baby... yes, not babies, but baby. It was her first baby, a girl, named Maitlin (May-t-lin). She was only six months old, and Melissa being a full-time working mommy, needed some help. I was getting excited already. I love babies! So, not soon after our conversation, we scheduled to meet each other at her home the next day. When I first met Melissa, it was a joy because she was so warm and inviting. I felt right at home. She was just as friendly in person as she was on the phone. Then, sitting on the table in a "Bumbo" (have you seen these adorbale baby seats?!?!), was my little Maitlin. Like I said earlier, she was only 6 months old. But even at that age, she had the cutest little personality. Right away, she flashed a big-little toothless smile at me :). It was love at first sight. At the time I was studying at a local college, so I was only available on certain days for a short amount of time. But I still managed to fit a few days of babysitting Maitlin in my week. It worked out really well at the time too, because while the baby was sleeping, I was able to get a lot of homework done.
After my first (and only, thank goodness) quarter of school was over with, I let Melissa know that I didn't feel lead to go back to the tech school I had been attending. I knew in my heart that God had greater things for my future. So while I took the rest of the school year off, she suggested that maybe I could start watching Maitlin more days and more hours. I couldn't believe it, because I thought this babysitting job would be like the rest of the ones I had... sporadic, few, and far in between. But then, Melissa texted me and said she was considering putting the baby in a day care. So I sought the Lord in the matter. I had to just give it to Him, and asked Him to work it out if it was His will. After a few days, Melissa texted me back and I accepted her offer to be Maitlin's "Full-time/Part-time" (8-hour days, 3-4 days a week) nanny. I remember going to my favorite prayer spot and crying, "Thank-You Lord!" My heart was overflowing with gratitude.
It's been 9 months now, and I can't tell you how much of a blessing this job has been to me. Not only have I had a steady source of extra income, I have come to adore baby Maitlin, and have learned more about what being a mother is really like than I ever have (although I have 3 younger siblings). I have TRULY realized what a JOY it is to raise children. They really are blessings from the Lord. You just don't know until you've experienced holding a child in your arms, and have watched him or her slowly grow up right before your eyes in so many different ways. Every stage of maturity in a child is special, and so precious. It never ceases to amaze me how fast they grow. One of my very favorite things to do with Maitlin is read her books. Under the coffee table in the living room, Maitlin has a ton of books (all of which she LOVES!). We've read all of them countless times. It has been so neat to see how Maitlin's level of understanding the books we read has increased as she has gotten older. And I tell you what, she is the smartest little girl I've ever seen. She is 15 months now, and she can pronounce her words fairly plainly. She can even say a few sentences, and sing a few songs! It melts my heart when she sings the "the itsy bitsy spider." Makes me smile every time :)
Well, anyways, after much prayer, the Lord has lead me to attend Bob Jones University this fall to study Nursing. I am very excited and I'm looking forward to all that God has in store for me... but I am going to miss my Maitlin so very much. Needless to say, I've become quite attached. Recently, she has been calling me "Olly! Miss Olly!" I can't help but to smile whenever I hear those precious words from her sweet little voice. I can't imagine what it will be like in her little mind when Miss Holly doesn't come back. I wish I would adopt Maitlin, and have her as my own little girl! But, she has two very loving parents who care for her more than I ever could. I'm just so blessed to have had these 9, soon to be 10, precious months with her. I look forward to having children of my own one day, more than I ever have. That is where my heart is. I want to be known as "Mommy."
Just thought I would share my heart, and testify of God's goodness. Not only has He met my needs, but has blessed me with a job that has given me much joy. I praise His name for all that He has done.
I remember when Melissa first called me. I'm not really big on talking to people I don't know on the phone, so yeah, I was kind of hesitant. First thing I noticed was how sweet and friendly she was. She told me all about her baby... yes, not babies, but baby. It was her first baby, a girl, named Maitlin (May-t-lin). She was only six months old, and Melissa being a full-time working mommy, needed some help. I was getting excited already. I love babies! So, not soon after our conversation, we scheduled to meet each other at her home the next day. When I first met Melissa, it was a joy because she was so warm and inviting. I felt right at home. She was just as friendly in person as she was on the phone. Then, sitting on the table in a "Bumbo" (have you seen these adorbale baby seats?!?!), was my little Maitlin. Like I said earlier, she was only 6 months old. But even at that age, she had the cutest little personality. Right away, she flashed a big-little toothless smile at me :). It was love at first sight. At the time I was studying at a local college, so I was only available on certain days for a short amount of time. But I still managed to fit a few days of babysitting Maitlin in my week. It worked out really well at the time too, because while the baby was sleeping, I was able to get a lot of homework done.
After my first (and only, thank goodness) quarter of school was over with, I let Melissa know that I didn't feel lead to go back to the tech school I had been attending. I knew in my heart that God had greater things for my future. So while I took the rest of the school year off, she suggested that maybe I could start watching Maitlin more days and more hours. I couldn't believe it, because I thought this babysitting job would be like the rest of the ones I had... sporadic, few, and far in between. But then, Melissa texted me and said she was considering putting the baby in a day care. So I sought the Lord in the matter. I had to just give it to Him, and asked Him to work it out if it was His will. After a few days, Melissa texted me back and I accepted her offer to be Maitlin's "Full-time/Part-time" (8-hour days, 3-4 days a week) nanny. I remember going to my favorite prayer spot and crying, "Thank-You Lord!" My heart was overflowing with gratitude.
It's been 9 months now, and I can't tell you how much of a blessing this job has been to me. Not only have I had a steady source of extra income, I have come to adore baby Maitlin, and have learned more about what being a mother is really like than I ever have (although I have 3 younger siblings). I have TRULY realized what a JOY it is to raise children. They really are blessings from the Lord. You just don't know until you've experienced holding a child in your arms, and have watched him or her slowly grow up right before your eyes in so many different ways. Every stage of maturity in a child is special, and so precious. It never ceases to amaze me how fast they grow. One of my very favorite things to do with Maitlin is read her books. Under the coffee table in the living room, Maitlin has a ton of books (all of which she LOVES!). We've read all of them countless times. It has been so neat to see how Maitlin's level of understanding the books we read has increased as she has gotten older. And I tell you what, she is the smartest little girl I've ever seen. She is 15 months now, and she can pronounce her words fairly plainly. She can even say a few sentences, and sing a few songs! It melts my heart when she sings the "the itsy bitsy spider." Makes me smile every time :)
Well, anyways, after much prayer, the Lord has lead me to attend Bob Jones University this fall to study Nursing. I am very excited and I'm looking forward to all that God has in store for me... but I am going to miss my Maitlin so very much. Needless to say, I've become quite attached. Recently, she has been calling me "Olly! Miss Olly!" I can't help but to smile whenever I hear those precious words from her sweet little voice. I can't imagine what it will be like in her little mind when Miss Holly doesn't come back. I wish I would adopt Maitlin, and have her as my own little girl! But, she has two very loving parents who care for her more than I ever could. I'm just so blessed to have had these 9, soon to be 10, precious months with her. I look forward to having children of my own one day, more than I ever have. That is where my heart is. I want to be known as "Mommy."
Just thought I would share my heart, and testify of God's goodness. Not only has He met my needs, but has blessed me with a job that has given me much joy. I praise His name for all that He has done.
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