isn't it funny?

Isn't it funny how God can use the simplest things to turn everything around? well.. maybe not everythings been turned around, but I have been blessed in many ways and am constantly being reminded of how great He really is. Ever since I graduated I've been looking for a job so I can raise money to become a missionary associate. Well, after everything that had gone one and with me living with a friend and possibly (hopefully) moving into a more permanent home to call my own soon, I gave up on the idea of getting a job. I kept telling myself stuff like, "as soon as I get a job I'll just have to move again" or something of the sort....

God has a sense of humor, and always perfect timing. As soon as I gave up on it, he opened multiple doors for small side jobs left and right. I helped a friend clean up some stuff and organize, I'll be babysitting for another friend, I'll be house sitting for someone else soon, and to top it all off, I'll now be working in the church nursery every other week. What amazes me about all of this, is I didn't seek out any of these small, but amazingly perfect offers. Also, all of these things I would gladly do for free, but God knows my needs and will always provide for those who call on Him.

Needless to say, with all these small additions to my calendar, I'm finding it difficult to remember or figure out my schedule. Unfortunately I will not be at rehearsal tomorrow (and it's pajama rehearsal too... :( my favorite). God needs me elsewhere and I know he has plans for me and he will be glorified through it all.

despite the fact that I will be missing out on my much loved masquer time and people, I did get my fill while at workday on Thursday. Praise God we got a lot done! Plus there were so many praise reports to be had about God's provision in so many ways! Masquer has been offered a much needed (MUCH NEEDED) storage container for a very reasonable price. Although we could still use some donations for the purchase, we have faith that it is ours! praise reports of things being done, being found, new found joy, etc.

then... after finalizing some paperwork to work in the nursery, I found out my working there is just as much of a praise report for others as it is for me. I didn't realize they were in such need for workers. Isn't it funny how God works?

small encouragements

This week has been, to say the least, filled with different occurrences and emotions. After a draining week of packing and figuring out where I will live and where all my belongings will live, I am relieved to tell you my awesome friends once again prevail! I am staying with my good friend Leah, and my parents are at my step-dads parents house.I feel relieved, safe, and a little calmer, but at the same time I feel as if my life is at a pause, a little lost, and always still concerned a little to much for my own good.

The week has been filled with many mental break downs, and yet joy. My friends kept "kidnapping" me (with permission) to get out of the house and get my mind off everything. although I protested saying I had to much to do, they didn't listen, and I'm glad they didn't. They know what's best for me. I went to see Scary Poppins again on Friday with a few of those friends and had a lovely night, but when I came home and saw my nearly empty room, with it's bare white walls and empty shelves and closet, I began to cry again...

We had a yard sale Saturday to get rid of some furniture and miscellaneous stuff that we simply couldn't take with us... I went with my step dad and a good friend to set up at 5am... ugh... my mom gave me permission to leave once she got there around 1, and I intended to head home and pack up the kitchen, but was once again kidnapped to simply sit on a couch and watch movies. In my head all I could think of was what I needed to do, but once again, my friends (and mom) knew better and I got to keep my sanity.

when Leah picked me up for church sunday, I had bags of clothes in hand, and I was officially moving in. I'm not going to lie, it's been hard not to cry and to keep the mentality of "it will all be ok". I had a hard time holding myself together later that night when I was taking my packed clothes and giving them homes on the shelves and hangers provided. I got to rehearsal sunday and went from sluggish and mind boggled, to surrounded by brilliant people and focused on a better cause than my own problems. I am so thankful that I have masquer in my life. I joined to do ministry, but I feel like it's ministered more to me than I have to anyone else.

after rehearsal we went to build a bear at downtown disney. It's a wonderful little tradition to take new members that are wanted to stick around to get a masquer bear. I got mine a month or two ago, and we went for two people to make theirs. Ian came up to me as we were leaving and simply shared a small piece of his testimony with me and told me "everything will be ok" and gave me the best hug ever. He walked away and I shed a few tears that I didn't want anyone to see, and later thanked him. He had no idea how much I needed that simple encouragement and masquer brings me so much of that.

I went yesterday to help my mom pack up the last of her stuff and she dropped me back off at Leah's and met her mom. It was like the official handing off of the child... ugh.. today my parents are officially handing in the keys.

Through all this, I know God's still here, and I can already see him working through it all. between putting these amazing people in my life at the right moment, giving me and my parents places to go, and opening doors to small jobs here and there for me, and giving me peace and comfort. Praise God.

one of those weeks

This week has been, to say the least, horrible.
to make a really long dramatic story shorter (and less complicated) my parents were apartment managers (so we didn't have to pay rent as part of their pay) and they lost their jobs and we now have to move out by the 8th, a week from today. Another issue is where are we going? my parents are staying with my step-dad's parents, but due to more dramatic situations, I can't stay there with them and will be staying at friends' houses. sooo... it's been a tense and draining week figuring out life.

I nearly had a mental breakdown at workday. I love all my friends, but when you get the hug (which I really needed) and the "sweety are you okay?" question, it's hard to say that I am okay. I didn't feel okay. However, I must say that I don't know where I'd be without the amazing people in my life. They've all been so generous and helpful; offering places to stay, or put stuff, to help me move and even kidnapping me for lunch just get me out of the house for a little bit. Despite all the stress and worry, I decided to go about my Halloween weekend and stick with my plans and try to have fun, and thanks to those amazing people, I did.

The theatre somehow has a way of making everything better. I feel peaceful and blessed in ways I can't describe. The people, the spirit, the love, the purpose there, makes everything else disappear. Yes, there were the occasional thoughts and subtle reminders that things were askew, but it was no longer an overwhelming attack. I did have to compose myself and stop myself from tearing up right after we prayed and were stretching, then again as we sang on of the more upbeat songs that say "forget your worries". It's so much easier said than done.

I got to go to a Halloween party at a good friends house after rehearsal. I saw a lot of people there who know about the situation, that I hadn't seen in person since this all occurred. I tried to avoid the topic and questions and sympathetic hugs that I just couldn't handle any longer. At first I wished I was back at the theater, but after everyone dropped it and moved on with the night of fun, I was able to forget again, and have an enjoyable evening.

I was in good spirits when I came home, so much so that when I walked into my room and saw my bare wall and stripped bookcase, I nearly panicked... until I remember that I had taken the stuff down, I had packed up that bookcase... and I suddenly remembered how much packing I still had to do and how many answers I still needed to get.

So here I am. The weekends over and I have a week left in this apartment. Let the packing marathon begin! but first... bible study, lots of prayer, and some good coffee.