Holy Discontent

I have been worshipping at The Well Community Church for the last 9 months, approximately, and the last few weeks they have been teaching from Nehamiah and have been discussing, "what is your holy discontent". Initially, I didn't think I had anything that was stirring inside of me so much that I wanted to do something about it to change what was going on, but a few days it came to me. Here is what I consider to be my holy discontent:

I've been noticing in the last few weeks through facebook status updates and other ways that so many people go to church, but no one ever really talks about it. I had a friend post on her facebook the other day "church, check. now off to do some house hunting" and with that post, so many people responded with surprise and questions because it seemed as though it was such a shock that she would even consider going to church. Also, because of her post, many people opened up and said, what church they go to and that they would love to have my friend join them during their worship services.

I can't claim that I have been innocent in this area of life. I, too, am not always so "proud" to discuss my Sunday plans when people ask what I've been up to that day. It's disturbing, though. Its definitely not something to be ashamed of. Growing up in an area where almost everyone that I was surrounded with either went to my church or at least went to church; it was like we didn't have to talk about it, because we all just assumed where each one of us was going on Sunday morning. However, that is no excuse to not talk about it now.

I feel like that at this age this is the time we should be talking about church, Christ and all that each has to offer. Why be quiet about it? Why hide it? Aren't we as Christians called to share the Gospel so that ALL men might believe? I want to be like the woman at the well that was so excited about her new faith that she caused others to believe. I just don't know how to move forward with these thoughts and get others to be comfortable to talking about their church plans and their faith. No matter what your age or stage of your faith walk, it is important to talk about it! How do we make that happen?

Continually blessed

Although I may not be working, we are continually blessed by the generosity of our family. First, when we moved in to our house, Josh's parents bought us our grill and our lawn mower. Next, when my parents came to visit, they generously bought us an outdoor table and chairs for our patio. Just this last weekend, my grandparents were visitng and they were so generous and bought us a coffee table and end table! A lot of these things we could live without, but because of the generous people in our family, we were blessed with so much!

Thank you to our family!

Unemployment

Trying to claim unemployment is not as easy as I was hoping. Since I have worked in two different states in the lat 18 months, it is not going smoothly at all! I called the unemployment office at the beginning of June and have yet to see a check. I realize it will take time to process everything, but now I just recieved a letter in the mail stating that they have a phone interview scheduled for me. What?!?!? I asked a friend of mine if she had to go through this too, and she said she didn't because she filled out her information online and was done! HOpefully I won't have to deal with unemployment much longer; then, I can cancel my unemployment claim and be done with it!!! Ugh

just had to vent

Almost A Year

What a year. Josh and I will be celebrating our first year of marriage this weekend! We're going to San Diego with some friends and will be meating some others that live down there. We're both really excited about the trip. Not only will a relief from the heat that we're dealing with here in Fresno, but it will be fun to celebrate with friends.

This past year has been a lot of fun. We were married on July 5, 2008, went on our honeymoon on July 7 and after we got back, we finished up packing and we made our trip out here.

We have been very blessed since we've been living out here. I was able to find as job fairly quickly, Josh enjoyed his first year of teaching, we bought our first home, made new friends, found a church home and much more!

I love you, Josh, and I am looking forward to the rest of our life together. XOXO

day 1

It is my first day without work and I can't say it was all that enjoyable. I am rather bored with the day and have searched over and over again for jobs online, but can't seem to find anything. I played with the dogs, baked some brownies, did some grocery shopping and sat around. I'm saving the cleaning for the end of the week so that I have something to do and it will be "fresh" for when friends come to visit.

I just pray that God has a purpose for this down time he has given to me. I know he does, but I hope to soon find out what it is. I also hope that he provides me with work and soon. It has only been one day; I have only had a taste of what so many others have been dealing with for months or longer. I hope that I am not just another American that will be without work for such a long period of time.

wonderful weekend

Though it was a quick trip, my parents have come and gone. They got to Fresno at about 1:30 am on Saturday morning, and it was so good to see them.

I am not going to lie; I was a bit anxious about the whole visit. It was my dad's first trip out to California since we've moved here and I just wanted everything to be perfect. I had been praying for a few weeks about the trip; that God would allow things to go smoothly, that words would be kind, that relationships would be begin to heal, that the church service on Sunday wouldn't overwhelm them and much more. God answered each and every one of my prayers that I prayed for this weekend. Praise Him! There were some bumpy moments in the trip, but overall, it couldn't have gone better.

Saturday we went to breakfast and then did some shopping for patio furniture and showed my parents the furniture we purchased. Later in the afternoon, my parents were very generous and purchase for us a great patio table and chairs, which we are very excited about. Josh and my dad picked that up and then they put it together while my mom, sister and I were at the pool enjoying our time together. That night we went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and then got some tasty frozen yogurt! Sunday morning we woke up early for church and couldn't have been more blessed from the preaching. The lessons he spoke about on Sunday were truly amazing and I think we all took a lot from it. Also, the music I was concerned about because my parents go to a very conservative church, but it was rather mellow this week, which worked out PERFECTLY! Again, God is answer prayers. After church, we went home and ate a late breakfast and headed to the pool for a bit. When we started get hungry again, Josh grilled some steaks and we enjoyed our lunch at our new patio table :). Once we were done eating and talking for a bit, we went back to the pool and tried to stay cool and enjoyed the time we had left together. Later we ate some dinner and just relaxed outside....it was great. I couldn't have imagined it any better.

Through this weekend, I kept hearing a Chris Tomlin song that I am learning to cling to....it is truly uplifting and comforting in times of concern or struggle. Here are the lyrics that have touched me the most:

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesth may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, "it is well"

Jesus has overcome and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when he calls my name
No more sorrows, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
I will rise

weekend stress

Today has me very stressed.

Today is payday and while that is always a fabulous day to come around, today is slightly different. We are all walking on egg shells not sure of what today will bring at the workplace. Uncertainty at work causes a stressful work environment and I am definitely feeling the affects of that.

Tonight, my mom, dad and sister are flying in for a visit this weekend. While it is going to be wonderful to see them since I haven't seen them since December, I am also quite stressed about the whole event. My mom and sister have been here once while we were living in the apartment still, but now my dad is coming and I just want him to be proud of what we have accomplished in such a short period of time. I realize that I cannot live for his pleasure, but rather i need to live to make God happy, but I can't help but wonder what he will think. Sunday they are going to church with us and the church that we go to is awesome! I love it so much! However, it is very contemporary and my parents are not used to that sort of worhip style. I am praying that the service goes smoothly and that my parents are blessed by the worship like I have been so many times since attending.

I have so much to do between now and when they get here. I have to clean the ENTIRE house, finish the laundry and shop for items like an air mattress and groceries so I can feed them while they're here :) I am sure the trip will go smoothly and I am stressing over nothing (wouldn't be the first time), but it's in my nature. I just need to lean on God to take control of this one.....he has the power to do it!

It's just so stupid because I stress to the point of making myself sick. Today I didn't want to go to work because not only do I have a lot going on, I just wasn't feeling well at all (and that started last night). I just need to relax and enjoy their company while they're here....right?