Life...it's good

Since I've been home things have been kind of slow. I still do not have a job. I'm still looking and waiting. I've gotten closer to Christ in some ways...realizing how different my life has been since being home compared to how I would function at school. It's an adjustment that I'm still making.

I'm still getting use to being in a different church. Especially when the congregation doesn't have many or any people my age. They are mostly all older than me and it's much smaller than at school. I never know when I should/can speak out in conversation and in a time of prayer. The church I attend began prayer on Friday nights at 7pm, I think a couple of years ago so I went this past Friday. I miss XA prayer. That's what it reminded me of. God was so present, we were praying in the spirit and God spoke to me and a couple others through one of the ladies in the church. It was so nice and refreshing. The Lord spoke to me about how I should continue letting Him lead and work through me even though I don't always feel it or know that I'm doing it right.
I praise God for my new church family.

Today I went to a Bridal Show...I totally was overwhelmed with in the first hour I was there and this was a small one. The big one is apparently in January which hopefully I don't need to go to. Probably won't. It's just not really that fun. Since I've already picked my dress and the bridesmaid dresses, the reception hall, cake maker, caterer, and ceremony place, a lot of stuff is figured out. There were definitely too many photography places and DJ options given to me today. Now I just have to go through all the literature and websites. I also got information for tux/suit places, invitations, florists, and honeymoon options, mainly travel agents we can work with to help us figure things out.
My mother and I spoke with one of the photography places and they we're telling us that many of the brides they had spoken with were all getting married next september...crazy. One of the DJ's I liked is booked every weekend next september except the weekend of my wedding so I need to book it soon if I want him. Crazy.
I guess I'm needing to kick it into high gear soon...all these options are in the columbus area so I guess they get booked pretty fast. This is nuts...everyone thinks the same, "it's better to get things done early."

A busy week...

I was back in Dayton Tuesday night and came home Thursday night.
Spent time with friends and family at Josh's going away party Tuesday night. Prayer for him was awesome!
Wednesday we had lots of stuff to do to get him ready to leave. Busy, long day, but we got everything accomplished. A friend of mine road with us to the airport Wednesday afternoon so I would have someone to drive back with. It was a sad moment when I had to say "see you in a year."
Tears...tears...and probably more tears...
I mostly get sad and want to cry when I think about it.
Talking to him everyday through e-mail is the plan.
It's working so far.
Thursday was get more stuff done and hangout with friends which was very good. Met new students at WSU too. Yay for move-in.

God is in control.

Wednesday night I went to XA and I was encouraged by the message Pastor Steve gave.
Joshua 1:6-9
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

It's always nice to be reminded that God is with us always, that we can be strong, and we can overcome.

An Awesome Weekend!

Saturday I went shopping with my mom after we participated in the American Heart Association Fundraiser. I walked/jogged a 5K with my mom and her co-workers for the company she works for. We went to the mall and we were in Macy's and a lady asks if we are Christians. I say that I am but my mom isn't. Then she goes into saying "Jesus bless you, Jesus loves you and died for your sins..." She witnessed to my mom about how even though we are sinners He still loves us and that she needs to accept Jesus into her heart.
It was weird. The lady said Jesus in Chinese at the beginning of the conversation so at the end of the conversation I asked her what Asian background she was. She is originally from Indonesia. It was pretty cool. I know it was God just showing himself more to me and answering prayers that I've prayed. It's baby steps with being a witness for Jesus to my parents. Later I asked my mom her thoughts. It was that we have to respect each others beliefs...I don't know how to have a conversation with my mom about stuff like this. It's even harder to have a conversation with my dad about stuff like this. At dinner my mom told my dad what had happened at the mall and he always brings up the law...about freedom of speech, religion etc. He kind of gets defensive. He doesn't seem to understand what being relational is. Any personal information can never be spoken about.

Sunday was awesome! I love church. My pastor preached an awesome message and I felt God's presence. The Joy we have for the Lord was present. My pastor preached about Crowns. The crowns that the Lord wants to bless His children with. Then in the evening I went to Joshua House at the Vineyard in columbus with a friend. It was awesome too. I had gone the week before and they started a new series on Joseph called Living the Dream. It was really good. After church I got to talk with a girl I had met the week before and I just got to encourage her. I love what the Lord is doing in my church and in young people. I love what God has given me to be used by Him in ministering to others. It's amazing.
He is Good!!!

Being home

Back in Marysville, I'm bored yet have things to do.
It's a slow change. I'm trying to get all my stuff organized still. It will take time cause I have a lot of stuff. I'm also jobless so I have time to do it all.
I started playing piano again. It's going to take some time for me to be good at it again.
I am looking for a job but it's really hard to find one right now.

Last night I had a great conversation with one of my best friends and one of her friends on the phone. We read a passage from the Bible and tried to understand what it was saying and apply it to our lives. Then we prayed. It was awesome. We read Isaiah 1 cause that is what she picked. It was good. Prayer was good too. I miss doing group stuff like I did last night even though it was over the phone. It was still pretty awesome.

I miss being around my friends all the time. I'll be in Dayton soon to visit so hopefully my time will be spent wisely when I'm down there.

I'm going to a Bible Study at my new church in Marysville tonight. I hope it's good. There are a lot of older people in my church and a lot of younger but not many my age. It will be an interesting new experience to see where I fit in. I guess its just a different type of relationship that I will form. We will see.

Transitions

I move out of my apartment this week. It's bittersweet.
Last night I was overwhelmed with sadness. I'm a bit scared of the change because I feel like I'm living in two worlds/cultures. How I live and how my family lives.

What a weekend.
-wedding dress shopping, high school reunion, and being home for a few days

I went home to go wedding dress shopping with my bridesmaids and my mom.
Being around people all weekend was very tiring. I did find and purchase a dress and picked out the dress for the bridesmaids. My maid of honor and I drove back to dayton yesterday afternoon and I needed time alone with my fiance. So I spent the evening hanging out and talking with him.
The high school reunion tired me out cause I don't really talk to anyone but had fun catching up and seeing people. Most of us still look the same. We're all in different stages of our lives. Many of use are still in school or trying to find a job. Some have gotten married and have a kid or are engaged. It's strange to see where everyone is, especially since many of the people in my class didn't come to the reunion. It will be interesting to see who comes to our ten year reunion.
Being home is always a little different this time with my bridesmaids. It was nice to have them around. It was easier to be me, the girl how loves God and loves to talk about Jesus and what He's doing. God is good!

I think too much...
I'm learning about how I do the statement above.
I'm working on how to not over think and analyze.

Other news...still looking for a job...slow but hopefully I will get one soon.

Too many changes all at once is not good for me and that's what is happening in my life.

Life is continuing on

So at the beginning of July I spent 4 days at my parents house and it was so nice. It was the first time I had been home with pretty much no agenda of stuff I absolutely had to get completed. Amazing. It's nice not to have homework but I kind of have to figure out other things to do to fill my time that I would have usually done homework...funny.
I am going to be starting the packing to move home to my parents house soon...
I'm also still searching for a job...I pretty much only want one particular one and hope that I get it.
Josh leaves in 3 weeks for 11 months. I'm sad about it but it will be ok.