I'm actually "tri-vocational" at times...I work as a children's pastor, I work a full time day job, and I am on the board of directors of my DH's theatre company. The theatre job is only really in full swing when we're doing a show, but still...
I am also bivocational. I work fulltime in HR. As puppetmaster said, I kind feel like I am tri-vocational because I am also in Seminary right now getting my Masters degree so that I can be a licensed Christian Counselor.
Though someone has approached me about buying my monogramming business, I am thinking of keeping it becasue it is either me built it back up and keep dh from going to fultime work and us still be flexible or me be flexible and him tied down to a job. So I figure it would be wise to keep the machine since I do owe on it I have the obligation to atleast do enough business to make it pay for itself. Just wanted to encourage myself that I was not alone in juggling career, family and a call of God. How do you keep yourselves encouraged and focused?
To be honest with you, you simply have to pace yourself and prioritize. I work contract, but my days begin at 5:30 am and end between 7 and 11 pm. In that time I am switching and swapping hats like a crazy woman. But I've also learned to set limits and try to not over do it. There are days when I am exhausted, meaning I can barely keep my eyes open when driving or cooking. For our anniversary last year, we were given an overnight trip at a lake house, but I was SO exhausted after working all day that I told dh, "I don't even want to take the hour drive, I'm SO tired." We went anyway, but I slept the next day until 2 pm!
I am learning to listen to my body, however, it is a whole lot easier said than done! Just do your best and take care of yourself. That is probably the best advice I can give you.
I came home 1 1/2 years ago. I learned I just can't do it all. I can't work, be a mom, clean house, & be an active pw. I thought coming home would make a difference, but I learned I still can't do it all. But other than my occasional bouts w/ missing adult conversation, life has been better since being home (but dh would argue w/ that.)
I struggle with not begin able to do it all either. It really bothers me. I am the type of person that I do not like to leave things undone, yet, it is impossible for me to do everything on my to do lists. I can't minister to my dh and dd's, minister to my church and others, work and do a good job, write papers, do projects, read books, etc for school, exercise, and most importantly have time to spend alone with God. I just can't do all that and nothing fall through the cracks. I have learned thatthe more organized I am, the better off I am. I know that this is probably a no brainer, but I have to keep reminding myself of this so that I do not get slack.
I have not really found a solution to make it all work. If any of you have one, PLEASE, help a sister out.
I want to reinerate on my question, maybe rephrase it or clarify. How many of you are bivocational because you financially have to be? Not jsut for extras but for necessities? We are better off than we were at our previous church but it still a new "growing" church so we have NO slack in our budget. With school coming up (new clothes!) Dh hasnt had the money to go to see his grandmother back in mississippi. We are finxing to cut the internet and anything else we can find. Back in MS, I embroidered full time from home and bought groceries and house hold stuff. (still all necessary but it helped dh not feel pressured like an atm machine) lol So now he would like that kind of help again. I definately dont bring big money to the table but in our situation even the little bit I thought we could do with out apparently we cant. Is anyone else in this boat. You are doing cause you HAVE to? Do you just keep your self motivated? I feel ok with it cause when I told God I would do everything I could to help Barak and our ministry when we made this move, I meant it. And if that means working at something that isnt necessarily the church so be it. If Barak asked for my help, he must need it. Do you ladies encourage yourself like this too? I feel like David talking to my soul!
We are planting a church and I am working right now. I am really enjoying it but would love to be able to be at church fulltime BUT I know God is stretching me out of my comfort zone. I am working for an insurance agent and he is paying for my license and wanting to help me open my own branch (State Farm). I have actually been here for 6 weeks so this is kind of funny.... haven't worked in 12 years and have no degree! I will not be pursuing a career but know God threw me out of my 'someday' mode. I actually am more motivated because time is so precious. As far as motivation, paying the bills keeps me there! I also try very hard to do my best and it is nice to be recognized as a capable person with lots of potential! I also tell myelf God knew I would be here before I did and if He didn't think I was capable He wouldn't have put me here!
Unfortunately I do have to work. With 2 kids, there is always something to spend money on. School clothes, school supplies, shoes, field trips, school pictures, etc. You ladies know exactly what it entails.
We live in a nice house, although it is not luxurious in any way. But we do not have any car payments or credit cards. I am the queen of the consignment and thrift stores. We live a pretty modest lifestyle. Even with this being the case. We cannot afford for me to stay at home. We have a small church that we just planted in May. Before that we were at a small church. My husband substitute teaches to supplement the salary that the church pays him. Also, another reason why I work is for the insurance. For over 2 years we did not have insurance because I was downsized and ended up working as a temp and we could not afford to pay the premiums out of our pocket. I thank God that our children did not get sick or hurt to the point that something over the counter would not suffice. Needless to say we prayed like crazy during this time. Now that we have insurance we really thank God for that time. He was so gracious.
I really wish that I could work full time in the ministry. That is what my passion is. There is so much that I want to do, but I just don't have the time. When you work a 40 hour job and have family responsibilities, it leaves me pretty tired. Although I am very active in our ministry, it is not as much as I would like. I keep praying for patience. I believe that one day my chance will come if I keep being faithful over what God has given me.
It sounds crazy and impossible, but I am going to start praying that by the end of this school year, DH and I are making enough $$ for me to be done at NCU. I want to be able to go to camp or other district things (Valleyfair day, District Council, Ministry Conferences, etc.) without robbing vacation days from DH and me. I want to be able to go to every sectional pastors' meeting. I want to be able to take the 8 hours a day that I devote to North Central University and devote them to more lesson/sermon preperation, prayer, etc.
In my human eyes, I can't see how this is going to be possible, but "God specializes in things thought impossible" (That hymn was written by the founding pastor of my home church, BTW :o).)...
I believe that God has great things planned for all of us - stay faithful!!
I am not sure if I qualify as bi-vocational because I technically do not work for the church... I am employed by the county and they pay me for the labor that I give, however my congregation (which by the way we are officially leaving this week) does not pay me although I play for them most weeks and am extremely involved in the teaching and counseling ministries... More than likely I will face this again when we get to New York City (we will be there within the next three months permanently) because the church is small and can not sustain my husband let alone both of us...
But the reality is for me that working gives me an outlet... There was a time where we were both working for the church plant that we organized and since we were together the whole day there was nothing to discuss at night that was not church related - maybe because we talked all day long, I don't know - but now with me being at work we have two different stories to laugh or cry about... It also obviously helps pay the bills and for us two incomes are needed... Unfortunately my husband and I have become a little high maintenance... And since we are both clotheshorses we have to work extra hard to keep up our shopping habits. I am sure that we could and would manage on one income, but that is not something I am striving for...
I would LOVE to be full-time in the ministry, but I am not just talking about number of hours, I am talking about full-time work and full-time pay... That may sound worldly to some, but I know the costs of "looking first ladyish" and it can not be done on a "humble"... I also know the number of visits we make and the amount of driving we have to do and those pesky car payments must be kept up to date, and of course we also have to have a place to live...
My dream is to be employed in the Ministry Complex - with my husband pastoring the church and with me running the bookstore and boutique. In the complex there will be a little cafe where we can sneak away and have lunch every so often... I can see it! Until then I plan on going to work every day and running over to the church every other night... Oh and did I mention that I want children??? Of course I have to keep on working - how else would that child's closet be as full as ours????
Ok, Flow, I get you on all of this that you shared and it sounds wonderful except...I'm confused.
I thought you already had children? Don't you have a daughter in college? Perhaps I am missing something here and I just dreamed that this was the case...
You are not confused... I have a 20 year old daughter (who I acquired when I married her father nearly 17 years ago) who is in college, but I want a child of my own (whether through adoption or birth I am not picky)... I am of course still young and vivacious (granted I am closer to forty than thirty but I am still between those two numbers!) and have lots of love to give...
YOU ARE SO FUNNY! Okay, not quite sure how to take this. As for me...I like the "work" of getting pregnant (fun!), and also I love actually being pregnant and going through that whole process, and of course I love my children.
I did not know your history on this, so it brings things into clarity. Wow! So...I know this is a real person question and hopefully not too personal (if so just tell me to shut up) but...is this something where you have been trying for a while and unable to conceive so far? Should we be praying for a miracle with you on this, or...have you just started trying to get pregnant? If you don't mind, let us know, we will pray with you specifically.
The doctor's have determined that I have poly-cystic ovaries, I have also been diagnosed with insulin resistance (they are related) and so conception is problematic, I have gone through several cycles of fertility treatments and they have been unsuccessful. I have had two cystectomy's and both times they said that the ovaries are intact. I have ovulation issues and am considered as pre-menopausal (I have not had a regular cycle since I was 20ish...)
You know of course I have no shame... therefore any question is cool with me.
I always receive prayers from the righteous on my behalf because they avail much...
Most people do not know that I have had so many health issues and then again most people think I have several children because the kids of Flint Hill were always around me and it is true the more you feed a person the more they begin to look like you...
I am standing with you and praying the prayer of agreement for your healing.
I also encourage you (and I know you already know this but it's good to hear it again) that while you are waiting for this miracle to come about in your life, YOU ARE A SPIRITUAL MOTHER TO SO MANY. You have birthed many children in the spirit and you continue to feed and care for them. And...the resemble you beautifully.
Countless spiritual children owe their lives to you.
