Lost and Found

Look who I found wandering around the airport at 11:00 Thursday night.

Zing

Yesterday was my last day working at the nursing home. Thursday was my last day with Home Helpers. My graduation for my internship is on Friday. I hope to be packed and all ready before Jake arrives on Thursday. Whew! This is definitely a season of change.

This week I'm pondering a lot about what God did during my internship. This was such an intense time of growth in my life and the timing of it all was crucial. The other day one of the leaders of the House of Prayer said something like this; "You've received tools during this internship not to make you instantly awesome, but to aid you in running the race until the end" Now I need to clearly identify the tools, continue to learn how to use them, and implement these new truths and practices into my life. Why would I want to live life the same way I did before I set apart these 5 months? I signed up for the internship because I wanted to see change in my life. I signed up because God showed me that the first commandment didn't have first place in my life. So, now what? I'll let you know as I figure it out for myself.

My future house-mate, Noelle, sent me a few pictures of our new place. I'm so excited!

our dining room

my bathroom

Miss #2

As silly as it may sound, I'm really going to miss my cat Rocko. He's been a real pal to me for a long time now (I can't remember when I got him, but I know it's been over 10 years) and he hasn't changed a bit. He's had so many medical problems it's ridiculous! He has one eye, a droopy ear, he's missing one of his front fangs, he's had at least 3 near death experiences where surgery saved his life, but he's just such a cool cat! He comes when you call him, he's always starved for attention, he welcomes strangers and instantly decides you're a friend. He sleeps in bed with me almost every night and has covered every single one of my black articles of clothing in fur. He's one of a kind so we make a great pair.

In this picture Rocko had recently gone to the vet to get his eye checked out. They thought he might lose it, so to protect the eye they sewed it shut and closed it with a shirt button. I kid you not! Click on the picture for a closer look!

On a more serious note, I'm doing my best to 'finish strong' my internship while also preparing to make a big move. I'm so excited for this next season of life in Minnesota, being around my boyfriend, reuniting with very dear friends, enjoying warm weather and new adventures, but I'm also dealing with the sadness of the things and people I'm leaving behind. God has been so faithful to provide for me thus far with the physical things I need for this transition, I know I can trust Him to steady my heart as two opposing emotions pull and tug with increasing measure. I'm keeping my eyes on Him first and allowing His understanding, His character, and His emotions be my guide.

Things I'll miss

In the days between now and my departure from the great state of Pennsylvania, I'm going to write some posts about things I will miss. I think this will be a good way for me to transition, remembering the old while being excited for the new. So today will be my first post.

The Beach
Now, I know what you're thinking, Pennsylvania is not on the coast, but hey, it's pretty close! I grew up going to the beach at least one week a summer and it was always the thing I looked forward to the most. If I could have it my way I would live right along the coast somewhere and I would walk on the beach every day (well, I guess every day that there's good weather). There's something about the ocean that makes me feel so relaxed and at peace. I love all of the things about the beach that most people don't like. I love the salty water, I love getting sand every where, I love the way the humidity and the wind make my hair look (haha, I'm probably the only female in the world that feels this way). And even though the boardwalk can be really touristy and expensive, I still enjoyed a deep fried treat here and there. I still have one more beach trip in the making for while Jake is here and I'll say a good long farewell to the Atlantic. Minnesota has lakes, which will be a nice refreshing treat this summer, but it's just not the same.
Here's some pictures of when my friend Laura and I went to the beach

And now here are some throw backs. My sisters are going to love me for this one:

Not forgotten

On Wednesday one of the members of my small group started e-mailing me links to some cars he was looking at in my new price range. There was one I liked better than all the rest and the price was too good to pass up. The dealership was over an hour away so I didn't know when I would be able to make time to visit. I called my Dad and he was driving back home after visiting a customer for his work and was about 15-20 minutes away from this town! He checked out the car and loved it! He talked it over with some of the sales people and they gave him an even better price than we both expected. So, last night we ventured out to Concordville, Pennsylvania and came back with a car. A car just for me. I love it and it's such a testimony of God's faithfulness and provision. I'm so much more important than the sparrows. Yes!! (Luke 12:6-7)

Manna

A week has passed since the last time I posted and my emotions and my heart have been all over the place dealing with the issue of faith in God's provision! Last week my faith was increased because of the house situation working out so divinely, but it's amazing how quickly I forget. Over the past few days I've started to give in to unbelief and become a bit stressed out about the car situation. It just seemed like I was never going to find a car that was in ok shape for the amount of money I have. It started to consume my thoughts and I began to feel restless and distant from God. Last night, while at my small group in Lancaster, God reminded me of His nearness all over again. My small group, that typically consists of 10-13 young adults, gave me $2,400 to help me buy a car!! How amazing is that!?!? I cried, and for one of the first times in my life, was speechless. I didn't have all the right words to say, but made sure to communicate that they were an answer to prayer that came at just the right timing. Isn't it astonishing that even in our sinful, unbelieving state, God will lavish His abundant provision and grace? He truly is a good God and a loving Father. He knows what I need and He cares so much. Let this testimony increase your faith. He's got the whole world in His hands, it's true!

These are the ones who so blessed me. I can't begin to explain how dear they are to me.