hey ya'll

no, i'm still not saying ya'll regardless that everyone around me says it (some with a cute little accent i might add). week three is over, and i love my job, still. yes yes for many of you (who know my past in jobs) this may be surprising, but food, kids, retail, etc...was not for me. Ministry, people, working to serve is for me :) soo...there.

-working admin stuff has given me 2 really bad paper cuts this week, ouch.
-my boss leaves for over 2 weeks. boy do i hope i find things to do.
-our new youth pastor, who i am also working for starts on tuesday--yippie.
-i'm going to the beach tomorrow. why? because i live on the coast....don't be jealous, come visit.
-i still miss my friends a lot. i know this won't neccessarily change but i am looking forward to making some friends who live by me.
-i am looking at buying a townhouse/condo. this means i'm growing up--and this also means i'm realizing i have no money.
-i guess i should get married. to someone with money of course (kidding...mostly)
-if anyone wants to come down for thanksgiving, you should. i'll be off for 4-5 days.
-or if you want to buy me a new car i'm really digging the Chevy Malibu or just a Honda Accord.
-ok, enough of me wanting. (except....it is my birthday in less than a month--july 20)...let me know if I can do something for YOU.

i haven't read a book in a while, and i'm gonna buy one to read over the next couple weeks while i don't have much on my plate. any suggestions?!

i miss kansas. i miss college. i miss my family. i miss my friends. i miss dryer heat. i miss my loft.
i don't miss cold weather (not that anywhere is cold right now). i don't miss going to class. i don't miss dealing with ___.

thankful. so very thankful...the church out here is just what i needed. great teaching, great people, great accountability, and great worship. not to mention there are a lot of other greats.

hey--download this song by Chris Tomlin...it's really good.

You’re the God of this city
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are

You’re the light in this darkness
You’re the hope to the hopeless
You’re the peace to the restless
You are

For there is no-one like our God
There is no-one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things have still to be done here

You're the Lord of creation
The creator of all things
You're the King above all kings

You're the strength in the weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things have still to be done
In this city
Where glory shines from hearts alive
With praise for You and
Love for you in this city

thankful.

Some places across the U.S. that I wish were closer--for obvious reasons, of course.
-Kansas
-Arizona
-California
-Colorado
-Indiana
-Kentucky

I thought it may be a good idea for all of you (in the states listed above) get in the MCC people mover...and come to Georgia. The bus holds 30, get your ticket now.

But at least there are some really terrific people here in Savannah.


And I'm thankful...

For the lessons that I’ve learned
For the trouble I’ve known
For the heartache & pain
....
When I didn’t think I could go on
But you made me feel strong
With you I am never alone

Thankful so thankful

Thankful for the blessing
And the lessons that I’ve learned w/you
By my side
That I’m thankful so thankful for the love
That you keep bringing in my life in my life
Thankful so thankful

When I’m down you always know how to make me smile
Thankful for the joys that your bringing to my life
Thankful so thankful

Good Things (Lately)

-An ice cold can of coke!
-Bubble baths
-Forgiveness and hope (thank you Jesus!)
-Air condition
-Downtown Italian and walks with new friends
-Adorations
-Working in a church (I don't think I could have a better job)
-Low heeled sandals
-LATEchurch/East Campus
-Phone convos
-Best friends getting married
-Online shopping

...more to come.

Not So Good Things:
-Humidity
-Palmetto Bugs
-Not sleeping in -- real life has arrived
-Missing family and friends

So no one told me life was gonna be this way...

Saturday

My first week of work was really good. Went through orientation, job description stuff, tasks, duties, responsibilities, you know...they typical "first week" stuff. I enjoy my job thus far--and the people I work with, as I've mentioned before, are great. I am excited. I'm looking forward to make some friends though too, that's for sure.

My Saturday has been pretty boring. Not much to do and it's almost too hot for the pool. I'm excited about going to The Leadership Summit in August and then The Catalyst Conference in October. Those should be really fun!

If you wanna check out where I work and such go to savannahchristian.com

Not creative today. Be back later.

P.S. Sorry Manhattan about those tornados. Guess I left at a decent time.

-oh, and...the notebook is the saddest movie ever. seriously.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow....I landed in Georgia

Day # 2.
Good. More orientation. Meeting. Lunch. Figuring things out. You know...first week type stuff.

I'm going to be part of this Bible Study on Thursday afternoons with some other ladies from the church...I just did the 1st week to catch up and I really like it so far! it's called "When Wallflowers Dance" if you're a girl and have some free time, even if you don't have free time, I suggest doing it! :)

I'm watching the Bucket List right now. It looked funny in the previews so I hope it is...I should probably be watching though to see if it's funny.

I am adjusting, slowly but surely. I'm still accepting visitors though if you're available.

Not much more to say for today. I end the day with a lot of love, a heart of hope, and the refreshment of knowing that tomorrow can be better than today!

“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.”
-Emerson

The First Day.

OK, listen to this.

Last night I maybe slept 3 hours....maybe a bit anxious or maybe just couldn't sleep, I don't know. Regardless I woke up at 6am, showered, got ready some, and then here you have it...
-I put a bagel in the toaster.
-Went back to my room to do something.
-Come out to check on the bagel and 2 LARGE palmetto bugs (they are like big roaches, huge, they fly...they don't bite but still, i don't want them near me!)
-Ok, so there are 2 big bugs on the floor. I go back to my room to get on shoes to step on them-- as I do this the smoke alarm starts going off (because my bagel is burning) so I jump on these bugs like a crazy lady and jump up to turn off the smoke alarm. Thankfully, the rest of my day went much better than this.

I got to work at 8am (I love that it's only 5 minutes from my apartment). Did a little orientation, then went to my cubicle (but it seems better than a cubicle, promise...). There was a FAKE palmetto bug sitting on my desk waiting for me to arrive on my first day. Got to walk around and check out the campus. It's really pretty, pictures to come soon. Went to lunch with some people on my team and a few others who work near me. That's always fun...

Got back to the office to do some more orientation. They use finger prints to get into the buildings (so I got to get my fingerprints taken, woo). Learned a bit about what I'll be doing....Today though was really good. Yes, it's hot at 8am and even hotter at 2pm. The people I work for are wonderful, seriously, simply wonderful. Very welcoming and encouraging. I think that God has placed me exactly here for a reason (of course He has a reason...I moved to the south, with palmetto bugs and not knowing a soul-- His plan is much bigger than what we can see).

Ok, now I'm rambling but it was a great first day. I have my second day tomorrow (I guess that makes sense). This is a new start, one with purpose and meaning and the potential to be great. I miss my friends and family more than I thought I would but thankfully I have great people in my life who will be there for me whether they're 2 miles away or 2,000.

Unwinding.

I love you.

the rest of your life starts right now.

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I’ll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all

So I’ll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Of course, some pictures....

Because you're dying to see pictures of my apartment.
You could see it better if you come visit me :)

This is the Sound of Settling.

I've been in Savannah a little over a week now. I like the city, from what I've seen. Downtown is really neat, touristy but fun! River Street has a lot to offer-- restaurants, hang outs, tours, etc... I still haven't had the chance to go to the beach (mainly I'd rather not go alone) but I may make that trip in the next few weeks!

My dad helped me move in and left this past Tuesday. My apartment isn't all I've dreamed of but it's temporary. I only signed a 6 month lease so in that time I'll hopefully find a roommate or one of my friends (hint hint to some of you) may move here! I've gone to church once and I really liked the service! I met a few people that I'll be working with/for and they're all extremely nice (I guess it's the Southern hospitality). I start work in just 2 days and I think that'll help the "home sickness" and me missing my friends! I promise I'll be more creative on this thing soon. Just wanted to update some of you and let you know how things were.

I'll be ok because:
-Walmart is only a few miles away.
-The church is really close too (since gas is going to be like $7.00 a gallon soon)
-The Savannah Mall/Target is 2 miles away.
-There is a pool right behind my apartment.
-All of my furniture actually fit in my apartment (tight fit, but it fit)
-And because I have great support and encouragement from my family and friends.

For now, that's all. Hope everyone is enjoying all the rain and heat. I haven't seen the rain here yet but the humidity and heat have already shown themselves. Miss you all.