Finally a new post!

Sorry it's been a crazy few months! I had my head (literally and figuratively) stuck in a book (I'm on my second trip through the Twilight series - almost finished again!). I know I'm a little obsessed. : )
I found a place to live - finally - it took everything I had to find the perfect place. Here are some pics...

front of my place
front house

my street - Ave. C 

the yard outside my house

living room

What a beautiful waste of time!

I spent the past few days engrossed in Twilight! What a great and strange book - I will start the second one today.
So much fun to spend an entire day in a book. An indulgence that I never allow myself. I am having so much fun! : )

I got a job! and a new bag!

God is good ... all the time! He not only provides but redeems! I found a job - Rolling Hills Covenant Church. I will be working with High School students (a whole lot of them). I don't start until June so I have some time to rest, prep, and move up to LA to start a new adventure. Thank you all for your prayers and support! I am so thankful to be on the other side!

I got a new bag to celebrate . . . ain't she pretty?

She came with a yellow squirt gun - I love Harveys!

Got him!

Ding Dong . . . the big fat rat is dead!

Hallelujah I can sleep again 

I broke the silence . . .

Life has been crazy the past two months to say the least. I no longer work at South Shores Church - I was laid off last month (most of you know that). I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of emotions from hurt and disappointment in leaving my friends, church family, and most of the all the amazing students I worked with, to relief from stress involving the possible lay off and no longer feeling trapped. Freedom has new meaning to me (every girls retreat theme has been a bit prophetic in my life). So I'm searching for a new job - which is no easy task in this economy. I've resigned myself to finding employment out of church ministry for a while, at least until the economy bounces back a bit. I refuse to take a sub par ministry job just to stay in ministry. God can use me wherever I end up. 

On another front - I have a rat reeking havoc in my life. We've trapped him in the walls of my house, however, he keeps finding his way into my space. This is a problem on many levels. One - he keeps pooping on all my blankets (this grosses me out more than you know). Two - he's chewed holes in a cashmere sweater, a silk sweater, and several pairs of my underwear. Three - I can't sleep knowing he's on the loose. I go to extreme measures to make sure he can't get into my room. We've set traps everywhere and he doesn't touch them. I hate being outsmarted by a rat, especially one with expensive taste. Ughhhhhh

Advantages to Stormy weather

We don't get much stormy weather in Southern California so when it happens we get stupidly excited. Christmas night I was driving home late from the movies with Di & Matt  and it was 36 degrees outside - we were excited. Cold but excited. 

Then yesterday was one of the prettiest days I've ever seen (at my parents house). They live so close to the mountains but can rarely see them as clear as yesterday. 

I started to compare the stormy weather with my own life. It reminded me that when God allows stormy weather in our lives - it's dark for a while but it always gives way to a clearer view of all the beautiful things He's blessed us with. I'm looking forward to the view on the other side.

follow-up comments on last post

No that wasn't a typo on my last post (Mark). I was referring to my 24th birthday ten years ago. Sorry I wasn't very clear - my thoughts were still in process. Thanks to those who understood my insanity (Dawnielle) love you!

Another year older and none the wiser

My 24th birthday changed the way I look at birthdays all together. I get nastalgic and sentimental about all I've learned (or in this case unlearned) and how I've grown in the last year. It's made it hard to celebrate - especially when the year has been as hard as this one. However, God is teaching me even in the hard things to be content no matter the circumstances. But the testing of that lesson is taking it's toll.

My friends kids

I had such a great weekend with Amy and Bruce, Haylee, Alyssa, Drew and Amy's family. It's so great being a part of someone's life for so long that you get to watch their kids and family grow and change as well. I want to have kids of my own so desperately - but God's timing is perfect and so I wait. But what a joy it has been to be 

part of my friends kids lives - especially Haylee - your beautiful grown-up face brings me so much joy! Thanks Amy.

Idaho

I'm off to Idaho tomorrow to see Amy and the fam. It's been a pretty terrible week and I am desperate for a break - some place where I don't have to think about my life and what's going to happen next. Keep me in your prayers. I'll be back Monday.