Blessed brothers

Had a really good evening tonight.  After Bible study I went to dinner with Vince and Gary.  The dinner was unplanned.  Initial idea was to go to Rumours, then we checked out La Tasca, a Turkish grill place, Mussel Inn and then finally we settled for Pulcinella on Hope Street.

The dinner was was quite impromptu, but I was glad we chose the Italian restaurant because we had good seats with lighting through the window and the glass entrance.  Red and white large checked table cloth and light wooden chairs gave it a nice Italian "homely" feel (reminds me of the Dolmio pasta sauce adverts).  The waitresses Italian accented English also completed the authentic Italian feel.  Haha!  Enough of these descriptions as I am not here to review the restaurant nor the food.  =P

We had a three course meal, and over the sharing of food we shared about our lives and how great God has been to us individually.  Besides being Chinese and roughly the same age, the biggest thing the three of us had in common was the fact that we were at a crossroad of our lives and God is leading us into new adventures.  We all had good news to share!

The good news

Vince will be going to China to teach English.  After months of praying to God for direction and not knowing where to go.  After facing a numbers of disappointments when doors closed on him, God has finally showed Vince where He wants him to be and provided this great opportunity for him uproot and move to the land of the unknown.  Obviously this is an exciting time for Vince, but also a very big move and one which really needs God's guidance and His presence.  I remember just a few months back Vince was saying how he felt quite lost at the crossroads of his life and was seeking God's will.  Aaron reminded him to "enjoy this time of sabbatical" and during this time God could be preparing something great for Vince.  Now here we are and we now know where it is God is leading him to.  =)

Gary was praying and seeking God's will regarding his career.  His heart's desire was to be a chef and he had applied for various jobs as a commis chef.  Also met with a few disappointing responses from applications Gary did not give up in applying nor in prayer.  Eventually last Friday he was given the opportunity of a work trial in a high class restaurant about ten minutes drive away from his house.  Although there was a slight mix up with the time of his arrival to the trial.  Although there were two other people doing the same work trial too.  Although Gary was asked to perform certain tasks he had not done before.  Despite all these things, he was offered the job over the other candidates!!  How amazing is that!  In today's world when it is so hard to find a job.  It's such a competitive market where sometimes qualifications and work experience could mean nothing because of job cuts everywhere.  But that did not stop Gary from getting the job.  When God is for you, nothing will be against you!  This is another story of God's awesomeness and a display of His amazing love and providence for Gary!  =)

It was a great evening of sharing about God's greatness and generally it was a very happy time at the table.  The restaurant wasn't too busy either so noise level was minimal and we managed to have good conversations.  I felt really at peace over dinner and felt God's amazingness.  The three of us at the table were at the crossroads stage of our lives.  We were all heading into new directions with God as our compass.

As for me, well I am coming to the end of my franchise with the national driving school AA.  I have been with them since day one, trained and qualified with them and then took a franchise from November 2009.  This will end on the 30th of March 2011 (this coming Wednesday).  During this time I have met a lot of fantastic people through the training and also as a qualified instructor.  God has been with me throughout the whole process: the theory test, the extended driving test and the most dreaded test of instructional ability.  When I felt at my lowest, when I struggled with things the most, God provided me with people who would give me encouragement, give me inspiration to fire me back up.  These included family, friends, Christians and non-Christians.  Throughout it all I was reminded that God has a plan to prosper me, a plan not to harm me but give me hope and a future.  On the day I qualified I knew I had nothing to boast but to boast in the grace and love of God for me and my future.  It was strongly affirmed that this was a path God wanted me to be in.

Working as a driving instructor has it's many ups and downs.  I found myself at the mercy of the weather on numerous occasions and it was mighty frustrating.  I ranted and moaned but ultimately I know God was still in control.  After being with the franchise for sixteen months I have learnt enough about the industry to become confident enough to start up my own business, my own driving school where I give tuition in my private vehicle and no longer rely on the franchise brand to help me attract potential pupils.  Truth be told, I have not had any AA-introduced pupils for at least six to seven months now.  Every pupil whom I've met have come through word of mouth, which again I put down to God's providence.  He has provided enough for me to sustain myself and I rely on that rather than rely on a national franchise.  "Going independent" has it's risks and I had carefully considered my options before deciding on sending the letter of termination to the franchise.  I then had to look for a suitable vehicle to give tuition in, install dual controls, find driving instructor insurance, order a roof sign and order accessories for the vehicle.  This is finally all complete after a hectic four weeks and I am now only awaiting my roof sign to arrive and everything will be all set for my to start my first day of a new business on Friday 1st April.

A new adventure

I am so looking forward to starting this new adventure as well.  God has been there throughout this setting up process too and helped me find the right car, getting a good deal, helped me find the right insurance at the right price.  He blessed me with instructor friends who'd offer lots of help and advice as I was setting up and when I was most frustrated recently and occasional self-doubt, He once again blessed me with reassurance that I can do it, that I have a good car, that everything will be ok!  :)

I am very thankful to God for His wonderful self and I am forever grateful.  Not one day goes by without me thinking of how amazing He is to me and I look up to the sky and smile.  I want to venture into this new journey with God and I look forward to the road ahead, wherever it might take me.  I won't have to worry because I know God will be with me every step of the way =)

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."