Today is the day! Hope – Thriving While Unemployed {and a giveaway}

For the vast majority of our marriage, Carl has been the sole income provider for our family. There were things, like being home and homeschooling our children, that we thought were more important than me staying in the workforce. We’ve never regretted that decision – even when we experienced a four year season of unemployment.

Yep, you read that right, from April 2008 until May 2012 Carl did not have a full-time job. He worked several part-time jobs concurrently to provide for us. That four year stint of unemployment taught us a lot. One of the most important things we learned is that we can do more that just survive unemployment; we can thrive during it.

In May 2012, Carl was offered his dream job of being a full-time hospice chaplain for a hospice that was new to our area. Then, in May 2013, they closed their office and he was unemployed again. The next eight months were a rollercoaster as another hospice hired him and worked hard to figure out a way to make his position full-time. Finally, at the beginning of this year, he has a full-time job.

I share these things so that you know, we’ve been there.  We’ve talked with many unemployed people and have noticed that those who just try to survive unemployment and put their lives on hold while they wait for someone to give them their dream job, really struggle personally and financially. We’ve also noticed that people who do more than just try to  survive unemployment, do not struggle as much in their personal or financial lives.

About a year ago, after a conversation with a young married couple who were facing unemployment, we felt like we needed to share our story more publicly. The husband was not able to find full-time work and so wasn’t working. The wife just had their first baby and was scared. His parents were helping them out and were getting bitter about the situation. At one point in the conversation, the young man said, “You just don’t understand. You have a Master’s Degree.” Carl corrected him, “I actually have two Master’s Degrees… and three part-time jobs to provide for my family.”

So, we began working on Hope-Thriving While Unemployed.

But it’s not just about our story; it’s about your story.

Hope – Thriving While Unemployed  is full of ideas to help you write your own story as you walk through your season of unemployment – a story that doesn’t include just surviving. We’ve gathered ideas and tips from people who are writing their own thriving story and put them in this ebook. We’ve also included simple printables to help you get organized.

Today, we release our new “baby” into the world hoping it will bless and encourage those who are unemployed. And we’re celebrating these next two weeks.

If you purchase Hope-Thriving While Unemployed on or before August 5, 2014 you will receive a downloadable bonus pack. The pack includes,  Unhinderedly {a seven day devotional}, Easy Meal Planning, ReThinking Beans and Rice ebooklet, Household Responsibilty Charts, coupons for spouses and parents to give each other.

We’ve also put together an amazing resource page to help you. We’ll be adding to it as we find other resources that are helpful and encouraging.

We also have a really cool giveway for 10 winners! Each winner will receive a copy of each of these six ebooks…

 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine

Act on Your Craft by Renee Harris

Homestead Cooking With Carol by Carol J. Alexander

76 Free Things to do With Kids by Shannon Brown

The Art of Gardening by Susan Vinskofski

UnEMPLOYED Faith by Roseann Cunningham. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fine print – The giveaway ends at 11:59pm  (CST) on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. Ten winners will be randomly chosen. Winners will be contacted via email so the giveaway is open to anyone with a valid email.

We remember well the times we didn’t have five quarters to spare, let alone five dollars. So, if you are currently unemployed and cannot afford to purchase this ebook we would love to give you a complimentary copy – just email us at [email protected] and ask. But here’s the deal, if you ask for a copy, please read it and put it into action…and let us know how it’s helped you.

Thanks for sharing with your friends!