November was a good month, but went so quickly. I moved in with my friends Jen and Eddie and applied for jobs like crazy, getting a few interviews and a second interview...and then was offered a new job! I accepted it and started work on the 30th at what seems like is going to be a great fit.
I spent Thanksgiving cooking at my friends' Mike and Olivia and then we all went over to Brandon and Jen's house to eat (Brandon is my pastor). They had a few other people over and we ate and laughed and had a great time.
I had a week off of work and took that time to get a bunch of cleaning and unpacking done and I also worked on a small quilt getting one side all together :)
As I mentioned earlier, I started work with pregnant women and their kiddos. I am excited to see where this job goes, because I already love it! The staff is great, the women are fun and I have actual work to do, and when I need a break I can go hold babies (and actually that's part of my job too, as I will be helping the women with their kiddos).
So yeah, I've finally found some peace out here in the desert and I'm excited to see where God takes it from here. Can't wait to go home and see everyone for Christmas though...
Books This Month: Hunger Games (really good!), Women of the Bible 37 Stories of Faith (pretty good).
Songs This Month: Love Is Waiting (Brooke Fraser), Something in The Water (Brooke Fraser)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
October 2011
Oh, October what a month!
I decided that my job was too horrible to continue doing, as the hours are horrible and I am constantly exhausted and my kids curse at and hit me. Not a good environment for what I'm going through right now. So I began to apply to places and received a few calls for interviews...we'll see what happens.
I also got my new health insurance and hit up the eye doctor (first time since high school), the dentist and the doctor (got my first flu shot ever). I researched diets and figured out what would be best for me with my allergies. I do want to lose weight, but right now, my focus has to be on getting healthy, so finding a healthy diet to fit my restrictions was tricky, but found and will start one in November.
Then there was Abra's wedding! Oh man! I got to see friends and family and watch my best friend marry an amazing and Godly man. Going back home for a visit was a great break, and taught me that I am more at home here now.
I was asked by Jen and Eddie to move in with them after Abra's wedding, so I prayed about it and decided to go for it...Moved in Nov 4th.
I think I am finally settled in here. Still getting used to seeing palm trees everywhere, and no mountain range to the west, but it is beautiful here, and it is home.
I am excited to see what God does with our church and why exactly He has brought me here, but I know He will show me and I will be delighted.
See you next month...
Books this month: Battling Unbelief by John Piper, Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. Both are really good books and I highly recommend them (but they came recommended from my pastor back home, so I knew they would be).
Songs this month: All I Can Say by David Crowder Band, Strong Enough by Matthew West and Courageous by Casting Crowns
I decided that my job was too horrible to continue doing, as the hours are horrible and I am constantly exhausted and my kids curse at and hit me. Not a good environment for what I'm going through right now. So I began to apply to places and received a few calls for interviews...we'll see what happens.
I also got my new health insurance and hit up the eye doctor (first time since high school), the dentist and the doctor (got my first flu shot ever). I researched diets and figured out what would be best for me with my allergies. I do want to lose weight, but right now, my focus has to be on getting healthy, so finding a healthy diet to fit my restrictions was tricky, but found and will start one in November.
Then there was Abra's wedding! Oh man! I got to see friends and family and watch my best friend marry an amazing and Godly man. Going back home for a visit was a great break, and taught me that I am more at home here now.
I was asked by Jen and Eddie to move in with them after Abra's wedding, so I prayed about it and decided to go for it...Moved in Nov 4th.
I think I am finally settled in here. Still getting used to seeing palm trees everywhere, and no mountain range to the west, but it is beautiful here, and it is home.
I am excited to see what God does with our church and why exactly He has brought me here, but I know He will show me and I will be delighted.
See you next month...
Books this month: Battling Unbelief by John Piper, Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. Both are really good books and I highly recommend them (but they came recommended from my pastor back home, so I knew they would be).
Songs this month: All I Can Say by David Crowder Band, Strong Enough by Matthew West and Courageous by Casting Crowns
Saturday, October 1, 2011
September 2011
I know, I know...I haven't posted any new pictures since I've moved here. Something I will work on remedying!
September has been brutally hard, and God has been sufficiently loving. "When I am weak, then I am strong"...a verse I am clinging to these days. A mantra that I run in the back of my head when work is hard, or when the homesickness is hitting me. I have received letters, texts and face book posts just when I needed them to keep me going, and I have the promise of Heaven to push for...
But this month has been really hard!
I hate my job, I miss my family and I have felt very isolated and alone. A few things happened in the place I left and has left me with less support than I anticipated and my work hours have left me out of quite a bit of fellowship and fun events. I miss Japan and still don't know how/what to do about it. Also, work is taxing taking a lot out of me emotionally and I am driving about 9-10 hours a week just to and from work (which means great pay checks...but that's not all it's cracked up to be).
I am prayerful that I will have a new job soon, or can find a way not to be so hurt by my current one. Please join me in praying for that! And tune in next month to see if God answered prayers about job/loneliness things and to hear about my trip back to see friends and family for a wedding...I am so excited!.
books this month: Wheel of Time Series (I finished book 12 this month, and it was my favorite in the series so far!)
music this month: Strong enough by Matthew West, the CD Light up the Sky by the Afters and the CD Promises from Steele Crosswhite
September has been brutally hard, and God has been sufficiently loving. "When I am weak, then I am strong"...a verse I am clinging to these days. A mantra that I run in the back of my head when work is hard, or when the homesickness is hitting me. I have received letters, texts and face book posts just when I needed them to keep me going, and I have the promise of Heaven to push for...
But this month has been really hard!
I hate my job, I miss my family and I have felt very isolated and alone. A few things happened in the place I left and has left me with less support than I anticipated and my work hours have left me out of quite a bit of fellowship and fun events. I miss Japan and still don't know how/what to do about it. Also, work is taxing taking a lot out of me emotionally and I am driving about 9-10 hours a week just to and from work (which means great pay checks...but that's not all it's cracked up to be).
I am prayerful that I will have a new job soon, or can find a way not to be so hurt by my current one. Please join me in praying for that! And tune in next month to see if God answered prayers about job/loneliness things and to hear about my trip back to see friends and family for a wedding...I am so excited!.
books this month: Wheel of Time Series (I finished book 12 this month, and it was my favorite in the series so far!)
music this month: Strong enough by Matthew West, the CD Light up the Sky by the Afters and the CD Promises from Steele Crosswhite
Thursday, September 1, 2011
August 2011
Augsut 2011, how you were a whirlwind of change and emotion!
I moved out of my hometown and away from all of my family and almost all of my friends and into the desert to help a church and obey God. It's crazy from the world's point of view, and right now I don't see the fruit or understand it myself, I only know that God is going to do something great and I am trusting and working to see it happen.
I spent the beginning of August job hunting, as I decided not to go to school down here because it would cost too much money. I got so sick of online applications that I spent a day just going around and handing out my resume...and got a call back! I went to the interview and was offered the job, so I am now employed.
I am just over half way through training now and am nervous and excited for this job. I will be doing direct support work with kids, and trying out this social work sphere. I am aprehensive of emotional support for myself, as I am one who feels things very deeply for others. I am excited, because I am one of those people who genuinely loves everyone and may be able to bring a child much needed love and support...so we'll see how it goes. Prayer for that would be amazing.
I spent the last half of August getting life switched out here (getting my car registered, finding a gym, getting a new license, etc...) and housesitting for some family friends. It was a good last few weeks of unemployment in that I got to rest, read a ton and spend time with Jesus and getting to know the family I am living with...
I am living with a family of 4. A couple and their 2 teenage kids. This is a whole new deal for me, and I'm still figuring out my role...As of right now, I have no chores around the house (which is so weird).
I have adjusted to the move better than I anticipated (or it hasn't hit me yet and the crying will come soon). Either way, I am well now. I miss my family terribly and get nervous with such big roads and so much traffic, but I am enjoying palm trees and my friends here. I am enjoying the freedom that comes from knowing I'm in God's will too, and that is a great freedom to have.
So, as fall begins and it cools down here (they tell me it will happen soon...though I remain skeptical each day it remains as hot as the last), I am getting ready to dive in deeper and figure out how to serve this church and love it's people. I am going to figure out how to be effective for Christ and will continue to pray for more single women friends....God was SO kind to send me a new friend the very first week I got here, though, so that's awesome! I am also hoping for a roommate out here so I can invite single women over more for hangouts and such.
This is an interesting trip around the sun for sure though, if you had told me last August that I'd be here this August, I would have laughed at you and then been sad that my dreams of home might not come true. Now, I have let them go and am ready to go where God leads me. I am still praying about what my involement in Japan should be (I still miss those people dearly and pray for them all the time...a pastor we worked with out there found an unreached area last week, and was able to give them their first warm meal (and meat) in 4 months).
I am so thankful that God's love never fails and holding firmly to the promise that He will always be with me.
August was a whirlwind, but it was so good too. Tune in next month to see what's new and how work is going...
Books this month: Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan...I'm on book 6 or seven now. They are for sure a fun read!
Songs this month: One Thing Remains (Jesus Culture), My Savior (Steele Crosswhite), How Long (10th Avenue North)
I moved out of my hometown and away from all of my family and almost all of my friends and into the desert to help a church and obey God. It's crazy from the world's point of view, and right now I don't see the fruit or understand it myself, I only know that God is going to do something great and I am trusting and working to see it happen.
I spent the beginning of August job hunting, as I decided not to go to school down here because it would cost too much money. I got so sick of online applications that I spent a day just going around and handing out my resume...and got a call back! I went to the interview and was offered the job, so I am now employed.
I am just over half way through training now and am nervous and excited for this job. I will be doing direct support work with kids, and trying out this social work sphere. I am aprehensive of emotional support for myself, as I am one who feels things very deeply for others. I am excited, because I am one of those people who genuinely loves everyone and may be able to bring a child much needed love and support...so we'll see how it goes. Prayer for that would be amazing.
I spent the last half of August getting life switched out here (getting my car registered, finding a gym, getting a new license, etc...) and housesitting for some family friends. It was a good last few weeks of unemployment in that I got to rest, read a ton and spend time with Jesus and getting to know the family I am living with...
I am living with a family of 4. A couple and their 2 teenage kids. This is a whole new deal for me, and I'm still figuring out my role...As of right now, I have no chores around the house (which is so weird).
I have adjusted to the move better than I anticipated (or it hasn't hit me yet and the crying will come soon). Either way, I am well now. I miss my family terribly and get nervous with such big roads and so much traffic, but I am enjoying palm trees and my friends here. I am enjoying the freedom that comes from knowing I'm in God's will too, and that is a great freedom to have.
So, as fall begins and it cools down here (they tell me it will happen soon...though I remain skeptical each day it remains as hot as the last), I am getting ready to dive in deeper and figure out how to serve this church and love it's people. I am going to figure out how to be effective for Christ and will continue to pray for more single women friends....God was SO kind to send me a new friend the very first week I got here, though, so that's awesome! I am also hoping for a roommate out here so I can invite single women over more for hangouts and such.
This is an interesting trip around the sun for sure though, if you had told me last August that I'd be here this August, I would have laughed at you and then been sad that my dreams of home might not come true. Now, I have let them go and am ready to go where God leads me. I am still praying about what my involement in Japan should be (I still miss those people dearly and pray for them all the time...a pastor we worked with out there found an unreached area last week, and was able to give them their first warm meal (and meat) in 4 months).
I am so thankful that God's love never fails and holding firmly to the promise that He will always be with me.
August was a whirlwind, but it was so good too. Tune in next month to see what's new and how work is going...
Books this month: Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan...I'm on book 6 or seven now. They are for sure a fun read!
Songs this month: One Thing Remains (Jesus Culture), My Savior (Steele Crosswhite), How Long (10th Avenue North)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
July 2011
So here's July in a nutshell...
The beginning of July was spent travelling to the church I'm joining and leaving my car there. I was able to stay for the week of the 4th and celebrated in true Rock style with a BBQ. It was fun to get to reconnect with the Rockers and get to know the saints out there a little better. As soon as I got back, I went to Nebraska to visit my grandma. We stayed one night, and I was so glad to have had some time to catch up with her.
The beginning of July was spent travelling to the church I'm joining and leaving my car there. I was able to stay for the week of the 4th and celebrated in true Rock style with a BBQ. It was fun to get to reconnect with the Rockers and get to know the saints out there a little better. As soon as I got back, I went to Nebraska to visit my grandma. We stayed one night, and I was so glad to have had some time to catch up with her.
I also spent the beginning of July trying to find a way back to Japan. Sadly, none presented itself and I have to trust that for now, there are good reasons why I am not going back. And one of those reasons is that I get to pray for it and would like to ask you to join me too.
That said, the rest of the month has been a blur of reading, relaxing, cleaning, packing, GETTING TO WORK PART TIME (which I prayed for and God answered!) and saying goodbyes. I also got to welcome my new nephew to the world and hold him a bit.
My heart is heavy leaving all these people here that I love and excited to finally be able to dive all the way into a ministry, as I've been pulling out of one to transition.
My heart is heavy leaving all these people here that I love and excited to finally be able to dive all the way into a ministry, as I've been pulling out of one to transition.
I have no idea what the future holds...but I know that God called me and I will be blessed for obeying...tune in next month to see how He's blessed...
Please pray for the blessing of a job, and more permanent housing...as well as delightful surprises...
Please pray for the blessing of a job, and more permanent housing...as well as delightful surprises...
Books this month: The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan (I' just finished book 4 and am really enjoying them)
Songs this month: How He Loves (David Crowder Band) Sokura (Japanese song) There is Nothing Like (Hillsong United), One Thing Remains (Jesus Culture)
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
June 2011
I am back from Japan and am trying to figure out what it all means.
There is such an urgent need for believers to flood that land with Love and Hope, and there just isn't the response that is necessary. My heart is broken and my Spirit is stirred.
What does it all mean?
Do I give up my life here and try to go live there as a missionary?
Do I stay here and witness in America? After all, we need the Gospel too.
I just don't know. I only know that I do not have a peace being here right now. But will 3 weeks be enough to give me that peace? What about 3 months? 3 years?
What does the Lord have for me?
I think that for the first time in my life I am open to God's will. For years now I have been praying "Here am I send me"...and meant it in my own way (husband, kids, house)...but if God asks, I will abandon that to live in the evacuee camps with the Japanese...or go spend thousands of dollars I don't have for school trusting that God will make it clear why.
But again, what does the Lord have for me?
I think it's up for me to decide...
There is such an urgent need for believers to flood that land with Love and Hope, and there just isn't the response that is necessary. My heart is broken and my Spirit is stirred.
What does it all mean?
Do I give up my life here and try to go live there as a missionary?
Do I stay here and witness in America? After all, we need the Gospel too.
I just don't know. I only know that I do not have a peace being here right now. But will 3 weeks be enough to give me that peace? What about 3 months? 3 years?
What does the Lord have for me?
I think that for the first time in my life I am open to God's will. For years now I have been praying "Here am I send me"...and meant it in my own way (husband, kids, house)...but if God asks, I will abandon that to live in the evacuee camps with the Japanese...or go spend thousands of dollars I don't have for school trusting that God will make it clear why.
But again, what does the Lord have for me?
I think it's up for me to decide...
Micah 6:8
"He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?"
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?"
So, now I must pray and search to make a decision. Do I stay or do I go? Which is walking in serving the Lord with all my heart? Which is justice and kindness walking humbly with God? Pray with me, because depending on my heart and my calling, it could be either.
Music: "There is No One Like" By Hillsong United
Books: Acts...didn't have much time to read anything else. But I love this book a ton because Paul shares the Gospel via his testimony several times. How are we doing at that? Do you open up to God's power in your own life with others?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
May 2011
May has been a whirlwind, and I am glad to say I finally got some of the answers I have been searching for since February...
I will be going to Japan from June 14-27 to help with relief work and am almost entirely funded and ready to go.
I will be moving to AZ in July (when is still to be determined).
It's been a rollercoaster of a month, and I didn't stop or slow down once. I have been exhausted, excited, sad and lonely.
Sitting here and trying to remember it piece by piece is impossible. I only remember saying goodbye to all my coworkers for the last time, knowing that I won't ever work with them on this earth.
I also rememebr saying goodbye to my kiddos, knowing soon they won't even remember be.
I ended my month by getting up at 3:45 AM to say goodbye to my roommate, her fiance and my good friend Nate. May 31 was a very emotional day as I sent them ahead of me to AZ and let the reality of Japan and moving set in.
I am excited to see what God does with June, and I promise to try and remember it better...See my other blog for Japan photos/posts as that time draws near.
Books: (Still working on The Suicide Club...enjoying it)
Music: (Learning Japanese via CD)
I will be going to Japan from June 14-27 to help with relief work and am almost entirely funded and ready to go.
I will be moving to AZ in July (when is still to be determined).
It's been a rollercoaster of a month, and I didn't stop or slow down once. I have been exhausted, excited, sad and lonely.
Sitting here and trying to remember it piece by piece is impossible. I only remember saying goodbye to all my coworkers for the last time, knowing that I won't ever work with them on this earth.
I also rememebr saying goodbye to my kiddos, knowing soon they won't even remember be.
I ended my month by getting up at 3:45 AM to say goodbye to my roommate, her fiance and my good friend Nate. May 31 was a very emotional day as I sent them ahead of me to AZ and let the reality of Japan and moving set in.
I am excited to see what God does with June, and I promise to try and remember it better...See my other blog for Japan photos/posts as that time draws near.
Books: (Still working on The Suicide Club...enjoying it)
Music: (Learning Japanese via CD)
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