Well, February was a bit more of the same old same old. Grocery shopping on Mondays with some of the women at church, Bible study every other Tuesday with a group from church and then work Wednesday - Saturday.
I am really loving this job. Was sworn in to court and testified for the first time this month...weird experience. Still going through that hard thing that happened...and am praying for resolution in March.
Excitingly though, not all of the month was same old, same old...I had some good friends visit for a weekend and had a chance to catch up with them for a bit (even hit my first AZ brewery).
And then two weeks later, my PARENTS CAME TO VISIT! They stayed with family friends, spending Saturday with them...Then on Sunday they joined me for church and my adventures, joining me in re-potting and planting, and game night. My dad joined the men folk and entertained them greatly with his character and my mom was amazing at Apples to Apples, among other games. Then on Monday, my folks met me for breakfast and we went to the zoo, then out to lunch, then to a movie and finally to dinner. It was REALLY GOOD TO SEE THEM!
The day they left town, I woke up at 7:15am with a gall bladder attack and haven't been the same sense. Prayer for health and wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
Check in next month to see how things are progressing with health and work. Not a whole lot planned for March, but I am taking 2 trips in April.
Love ya!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
January 2012
So, January was a long month, but not too eventful...Here are the highlights...
I moved into an apartment with a friend...yes, I have moved 3 times in the last 5 months (but am now in a 13 month lease)...so I am hopeful I'll be here for a while.
I experienced unbelievable pain at work. I love my job, but dealing with people with drug problems, and there are bound to be consequences. Being who I am, that is hard and I am grateful for God listening to my cries and co-workers who were just as upset as me, to talk with and work with to help make the situation right.
I began the prep work for February...I am going to be busy, and am so excited, because a lot of people I love are coming to visit!
I know, not a super exciting month...I will work on that for next month. '
Books this month: I didn't read anything but the Bible this month...I am reading Professor Horner's plan (which is 10 chapters from 10 different books each day). I'm enjoying it...feel free to jump in. It's only a 250 day plan, and isn't too late to join and still read through the Bible in a year :)
Songs this month: Be Near Me by Bethany Dillon...pretty much been listening to it on repeat.
I moved into an apartment with a friend...yes, I have moved 3 times in the last 5 months (but am now in a 13 month lease)...so I am hopeful I'll be here for a while.
I experienced unbelievable pain at work. I love my job, but dealing with people with drug problems, and there are bound to be consequences. Being who I am, that is hard and I am grateful for God listening to my cries and co-workers who were just as upset as me, to talk with and work with to help make the situation right.
I began the prep work for February...I am going to be busy, and am so excited, because a lot of people I love are coming to visit!
I know, not a super exciting month...I will work on that for next month. '
Books this month: I didn't read anything but the Bible this month...I am reading Professor Horner's plan (which is 10 chapters from 10 different books each day). I'm enjoying it...feel free to jump in. It's only a 250 day plan, and isn't too late to join and still read through the Bible in a year :)
Songs this month: Be Near Me by Bethany Dillon...pretty much been listening to it on repeat.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 in Review...
January: I watched one of my best friends get married, had a dance party and said a temporary good bye to close friends as they moved to AZ.
Februrary: I made big life decisions.
March: Plane trip to Arizona to visit, and had my heart broken for the Japanese people.
April: I prayed for a chance to go to Japan, celebrated women's luncheon (4 generations together!), visited my best friend from the third grade and her family and I turned 25.
May: I finished working at the best preschool in the nation (Harmony School), and was blessed to receive about $3,000 to go to Japan and help with relief work. I saw God provide in big ways and move mountains for me...My faith was grown.
June: I went to Japan and had my life changed forever. I left my heart in Japan and came back to the states.
July: I visited Arizona, went back to Colorado, packed my things, said my good-byes and cried as I moved away.
August: I settled in and applied to jobs, got a job and started working.
September: I began to hate my job and started looking for a new one.
October: I visited family, watched my best friend get married, applied for jobs and had interviews.
November: I got a new job, and enjoyed Thanksgiving with friends in Arizona.
December: I started my new job, which is a great fit, and went home for Christmas and then to Faithwalkers with friends, which was amazing!
This year, I saw God provide in impossible situations time and again and watched as he answered a great number of prayers...Prayers of all kinds too. I now know it is possible to move mountains and I am excited to do so out here in Arizona. This year my faith was grown and it was tested. I faced some of the hardest trials I've ever gone through and saw some of the most amazing things of my life.
2011 was epic and I know there will be stories of it for a lifetime. I cannot wait to see the eternal fruit this year will produce, I'm praying for some big and specific things!
My prayer for 2011 year was that
I would have 'beautiful feet'
as Romans 10:15 says:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
God was kind enough to answer that prayer and allow me to bring His good news not only to my home town, but to a sister church in a new state and to an island on the other side of the world!
I am excited to continue my walk and am faithfully praying for big and specific things for 2012! Please keep coming by for updates.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
November 2011
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)
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)
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)
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