Family Life and Friendship Network

Today a remarkable thing happened. A capstone to a series of fortunate events - one that will make all the difference in the world for me. I'll start with a statistic. When you apply for a job, if you know someone there, you have a better chance of getting the job. This doesn't mean that you will get it, just that your chances go up. I imagine the chances go up a bit more if the person you know likes you, or if the person you know does the hiring, but the studies I've read didn't account for those factors. Now I'll set a candle on a hill. I present: A Series of Fortunate Events:

• Beginning of 2004 I decided I wasn't going anywhere at Unisys and started looking for better employment. I bought a suit for interviews, and started interviewing for several jobs.
• February 2004 I lost my job at Unisys. Turns out I was right about not going anywhere there...
• April 2004 I started working at Convergys, supporting Nortel Networks customers. This was a major move from supporting Windows-based PCs to Linux-based networking devices.
• Shortly after I start working at Convergys, I make a personal covenant with God. Before this I did not wear my suit to church. I saved it for interviews. I told Him I would wear my suit to church even if it wears my suit out before I get a good job that provides for my family well. I ask Him to help me find this job, even if my suit gets worn out before I get this job.
• I work at Convergys until October 2005 and make several new friends. Since calls were slow, a few of those around me got to know me fairly well. They got to know a little about my family, my ambitions, and my work ethic.
• October 2005 Julie wants to work, so I leave Convergys to stay at home with our 3-year-old. While at home, I study and learn more about Linux. I become more committed to Open Source - a way to share technology with the world.
• Early 2006, my suit pants wore out, but I don't forget my personal covenant, or lose faith in it.
• October 2006, I start working at Verio and we decide to have another child.
• July 2007 we find that Julie has a brain tumor. It's been there for a while. The reason we discovered it: because she was pregnant. Pregnancy increased pressure on her brain and brought out some of the symptoms. Without her pregnancy, we don't know how much larger the tumor would have been before it was discovered. Perhaps the pregnancy will save her life.
• August 2007, I remind God that my suit is worn out, and start interviewing for jobs. I chat with a friend I haven't seen online since my Convergys days. He's one of those that got to know a little about my family, my ambitions, and my work ethic. He had a series of fortunate events himself, and landed a good job that, for the first time, makes it possible for him to provide for his family. They have openings, and I express interest.
• Today, I got a new job. It's the first one that brings me over the poverty line since the day I earned the title "daddy". It brings me significantly over that line, too. I believe I got the job because of my credentials - they seemed to like my resume. But it probably didn't hurt to have a friend that knew me there. The job could not have come at a more desperately needed time.

Since we discovered Julie's brain tumor, hundreds, perhaps thousands counting those beyond the grave, have asked God to help us. God answered my prayer after he tried my patience, and He has begun to answer your prayers. I never lost faith, though I did, at times, probably complain to Him... a little... He brought me a new career when I most desperately need it. Now I can provide for my family. He answered me, and He'll answer you.

I offer my sincere thanks to all of you: my friends and my family.

In The Saviour's name, I also thank The Father.