Story written for us

I have been sitting here in the apartment, the only one still up, and have been processing what on earth I am doing out here in Eugene and what other people may think of me knowing that I am out in Eugene. My mind wandered a bit and came up with some answers and even more questions. I thought I'm 25 years old, felt called to go to Eugene and feel at complete peace with it, yet I don't want people to think I'm some special person who has it all together because she figured out what God wants me to do in my life. In fact, that's completely the opposite of the journey God has taken me on. I wouldn't have chosen this life I am living right now. I had a game plan for my life. All my ducks were lined up in a row. Things seemed to be going as planned and then God broke me and I followed a path that was unlike anything I ever imagined. It has been a hard and wonderful journey. I kicked and screamed most of the way to the place where I am today. Thank you dad for giving me the stubborn gene. ;) But why do some people think that that there is an order to this life? That ministry only happens when you are in a certain season in life. I believe God has called us to be right where we are unless He prompts us to move. Ultimately we have a choice, to follow what God is speaking into our lives, or run the other direction, forget anything happened and go on with our own game plans for our lives. I pray my life is not one where I run away from what God is leading me towards. I think it's a tough road to be running this race...that the gate to the road is pretty narrow and painful to squeeze through but always seems to have enough room to let me pass on by. I feel so much peace for living into where God has called me to be at. I just don't want people to think that I am so great for doing what I am doing, because I will only disappoint. We all have a story God has written for us. I am learning how to start making that story more about God and less about me. I know it doesn't matter what you are doing, where you live, what job you have, as long as you love God and trust Him to lead you.

Refreshed

I am a fan of the west coast! More then likely if you ever come out here to Eugene I'd have
to take you personally or tell you to go to my new favorite spots along the coast. My friend Lee came into town, which was great, and we took a day trip out to the coast and to a state park to see some pretty beautiful waterfalls (where we also met up with friends). The pics above are from this past Sunday (I'm still learning how to post the pics up in a pretty way, but am slow at it so right now they are just up and not fancy like)

It was truly a great day. We all laughed a lot (I screamed a lot, haha) and just had a great time. And I started to get out of the funk that I was in during the past week. I just didn't want to do anything really this past week so it feels good to be refreshed. :)

Thoughts lately

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."
-Jesus

I feel complete comfort and peace on those words as I write this entry. I've had a tearful couple of days having the reality of not being able to be in Indy. If you don't know by now a friend of mine, RD Reid who was in the training school with me, was in an accident a couple of days ago where a lawn mower flipped over, caught fire, and caused his right side of his body to burn. He also had a broken back and has no movement from his waist down. He's currently at Wishard in the burn unit. So from this I have been processing the fact that I am not in Indy. That I can't go and get in my car and be a friend for the Reid family. I know that so many people are with them and that is such a great example of the community of God at work! So this is something that God is working me through the process. I knew that I would feel far away, but didn't realize that it would happen a couple of days after I got here to Eugene. I have spent the past couple of days just wanting to not think about it and do other things to not focus on anything other then the present right here. And everytime I thought about it I would start crying. So clearly that's a sign you can't run away from anything God wants to help you through. :) I'm learning that I am indeed grieving the fact that I am so far away from people that I love very much, but that God is meeting me right where I am and being my strength when I feel extremely weak. And I am blessed to be with the Eugene team right now...who understand and are meeting me right where I am as well. They let me cry, which isn't a shocker for them anymore. :)

So thank you Jesus for living the life and speaking the words that so many of us need to hear. For bringing hope and for meeting us right where we are; broken, beaten, and bruised. Even through all of that you love us and call us Your children. That is the peace that my heart is feeling right now and also is my prayer for the Reid family.

Much love :)

I made it!

Friends, I finally made it to Eugene. And we even have internet now (bout time :)) I actually do not feel like I am miles and miles away from Indiana. It's quite weird actually. It's all new and fun to be here...I'm not in a routine of going to work yet since my job hasn't started and won't start until Aug. 25. I feel like I'm in college, hanging out having a good time...so it hasn't really, really hit me yet that I'm far away. I had a glimpse of that today when I found out a friend got hurt and I couldn't just drive in my car and go be there with that family. So that part is hard and weird. I know I'll have many more of these moments, but I thank God for the people that are here with me out in Eugene. It does bring comfort for my heart as I process things like this that may come up many more times...actually, I know that things like this will happen again. All I can do is pray. It's a good place to be in. Knowing that prayer is all I can do when I am miles away from people that I care about. It's a good lesson to learn...one that I am holding on to.

On a side note, it's been fun to be able to ride bikes around time. We try to ride them as much as possible. It's great, though pretty tiring!!!! I'm not used to this riding bikes thing...but I really like not driving my car as much! :)

7 of us are out here and are doing well. All we are doing is attempting to find things around town (getting lost is something I think we are getting quite good at, haha) and just enjoying being with each other. Tears have already been shed, laughter has been shared, and food has been passed around the table...it's been good. :)

Hello Laramie, Wyoming!

Day 2 is a success!!!! It also happens to be the shortest driving day. Nebraska, my friends, is way too long and boring of a state. Wyoming is definitely a more interesting state so far...as interesting as it is since we are only 90 miles from the border. :) Tomorrow is the longest driving day and I'm a tad bit nervous with mountain driving since I am the driver of the truck. I know it will be fine, but ya know, my brain is being dumb. :)

Tomorrow we head to Nampa, Idaho where I get to see my friend Lee who is doing his training for MAF. Check them out sometime...maf.org

The next time I post I will be in Eugene!!!!!! AHHHHHHH so crazy and surreal! :)

Hello Omaha!

Just a little update. Sarah, CJ, and I made it to Omaha, Nebraska today! It was a very long and tiring day of lots and lots of driving. It just rained a lot! So far everything is going well. We even ate lovely chinese food tonight...yay nice delivery person for bringing us tasty food so we didn't have to drive anymore! :)

Tomorrow we are heading to Laramie, WY and it will take us around 7.5 hours to get there. After all this driving I will just be so excited to just make it to Eugene and not drive! :)

Shalom.

Fast days approaching...

I am sitting here tonight doing some last minute things to get ready to go out to Eugene....and it still amazes me that I am on this journey! Then I thought shoot the next couple of days are going to be a whole lot of goodbyes, last minute coffee dates, packing up the truck, last trip home to see my mom before December, and finally leaving/hitting the road/making it across the country.

So from tomorrow til I leave I will be quite busy. I think I will appreciate that. I'm excited for what is going to happen...excited that God is doing some great things...and excited to be sent out to Eugene.

P.S. thanks to all of you who have commented on my blog posts! :) It puts a smile on my face! :)