Blessings

God has really proven Himself faithful on my behalf in the last week or so. I am just amazed at how He was continued to bless me.

First of all, finances have gotten really tough again. I haven't been able to work for about a week and a half because they haven't needed me...Paul Davis (PDR) is still waiting on the subcontractors to finish their jobs before PDR can do the finishing work. Because of that, I haven't been able to work (or produce income) for a while. Well, that's a problem. Even when I'm working as many hours as I can, it's not like I have extra money lying around. When I don't work at all...things get ugly.

Well, all that changed last week. I logged onto my Embry-Riddle e-mail account to see a message from ERAU Financial Aid. They informed me that my financial aid award had been adjusted. I looked to see exactly how, and was shocked. The University has awarded me two additional scholarships for the 2007-2008 academic year, totaling an extra $5,050 for the year!

That's not the half of it.

The scholarships are retroactive, meaning they were meant to apply to this semester too. Since I've already paid for this semester, I actually had a credit in my account of roughly $2,500! A refund check is on the way. I actually went to the cashier today and pulled out $150 for upcoming bills, and it's in my pocket right now. The other $2,350 or so will arrive via check in my mailbox very shortly. I plan to pay urgent bills with it, live off my PDR income, and stick the rest in a savings account to gather interest over the next two months.

Here's the cool thing. My federal student aid this year is a lot more than it was last year. Add to this the fact that my university expenses are reduced (living off-campus), and after some calculations, I find that my expenses due to the university are around $3,100 for next semester. Well, let's not forget the credit in my account....! As long as I don't spend too much of that credit on bills, I am looking at having to come up with less than $1,000 for next semester! This at a university whose estimated costs for this school year approach $40K! Is God amazing, or what??!

Wait, there's more.

Last Wednesday and Thursday was the career fair. I almost didn't go, but decided to do so at the last minute. Last year, the fair was quite disappointing. Most exhibitors said (in essence), "Thank you for your interest...come back next year." This year was much more exciting. Nearly everyone I talked to showed some interest in me as an intern for this summer. USA (United Space Alliance), FAA, and Lockheed Martin were all quite positive. Boeing was the most encouraging. I talked to a recruiter and he grilled me on the spot. He saw the good GPA and degree program and asked me some interview questions right then and there. Then he gave me a time and place the next day for a "mock interview."

Friday was the mock interview and it went quite well. He described it basically as a mentoring session. We went through the process of a full-blown interview, after which he critiqued me and then took a hard look at my resumé. He said I did a good job in the interview and he liked how I answered his questions. He did say my resumé needed a little help, so he showed me how to tailor it to Boeing's career requisitions. Then he gave me some homework and told me to apply for some internships (and to let him know which ones I apply for).

That experience was very encouraging. It was good to know that my interview skills are up-to-par, and also to see that I am becoming more desirable. I have yet to see what will come of the Boeing experience, but I am hopeful that between Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and everyone else in the industry I will be able to land an internship this summer.

Yes, I can say with authority...God has richly blessed me. I had a rather nasty head cold this weekend, but even in the midst of the worst headache of my life, I was able to say confidently that I am blessed beyond what I deserve.

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!"