The Storms of Life

The sermon at church this morning was like it was directed at me. It was a beautiful reminder that God is our rock and that we have to cling to him, even in the hardest of times. That  when the "storms of life" come our way. Jesus is our foundation. An anchoring point for us. A shelter. A righteous redeemer.

My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness 

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, 

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

When darkness veils His lovely face, 

I rest on His unchanging grace. 

In every high and stormy gale, 

my anchor holds within the veil. 

His oath, His convenant, HIs blood

support me in the whelming flood. 

When all around my soul gives way, 

He then is all my hope and stay. 

When He shall come with trumpet sound, 

O may I then in Him be found, 

dressed in His righteousness alone, 

faultless to stand before the throne. 

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; 

all other ground is sinking sand, 

all other ground is sinking sand. 

My New Room

Saturday. I've been here a week. I'm falling into a nice routine, finding homesickness lessening with each day and being more comfortable in my new surroundings. I'm finally unpacked. My suitcases are in the closest, my clothes are folded or hanging, my books stacked neatly. The only things I have to do is hang a collage on the wall. 

Guys, I have a bathroom to myself. And a room. With a closet... It'll be interesting to see how I naturally keep my room, whether it will stay super clean or a complete disaster. I have a feeling it will be comfortably cluttery each week and on the weekends will get cleaned back up. 

Samuel and Lisa's new house is really big, so the internet in my room is kinda bad, but if I lay on the floor by my nightstand, I can get enough to text with people or play music. The "bonus" room across the hall from my room has better internet and a couch, so if I want to watch something, I head in there. 

I took a look at all the books I brought with me and I think it kinda says something about what I need. I didn't bring a single fiction book. Besides these, the only other books I brought were two art books to work through. It's a good thing Lisa has fiction books all over the place for when I finish these. 

So there is my room. I'm moved in and it's comfortable with a good view of the neighborhood. I'm home.  

 

Little Things

Last night I was lying on my bed, I had at least five chat windows open on my Facebook with people back home. Nights are my break. A time to recharge, to think, pray, talk with friends, and process what has happened the past month or so. Each evening is different, some are quiet evenings with Pandora playing Mandarin Orange or Ian Ethan Case while painting, writing or reading while other nights are focused on catching up with friend back home. This night was one for talking and spamming people with cute niece pictures.

While texting with with Elisabeth last night, I realized God had answered some of my prayers. Even the littlest prayer over the smallest problems, things that ultimately don't matter or that were just in the moment, God heard and answered me. It kinda blows my mind. The Creator of everything listens to what I have to say and blesses me. It's amazing.

Anyway, staying up until 1:30am with a 7:30 wake up was so worth it, although it calls for a rare cup of coffee for me.

Homesickness and Routines

Yesterday I cried. The baby wasn't sleeping, I was fighting a headache, fighting the desire to give in on my No-Sugar September and I was tired. So I sat on the couch, baby in my arms and burst into tears. I'm fine, I know I'm fine. It didn't hit me until about an hour later: I am homesick.

Realizing that made me examine the day a lot more. It's still too early to form a routine, I'm learning a new one, the routine of an infant and a toddler. It made me go easier on myself and to just do the next step.

Deep breath. I can do this. To do list written, dishes knocked out, bed made, simple things. The girls are happy, Lisa's happy, I am happy. I love this place.

Sunday and Transitions

Today was backwards from my normal Sunday schedules. Washington Sundays consist of Church, lunch with friends, volleyball or game nights, or hangouts with friends. Tennessee Sundays are quiet days with Church, preparations for the week, long naps, then dinner, conversations and getting ready to face the work week. Both are so different, but both are sweet.

Church this morning was interesting, it's a new church from the last time I came here. They don't have instruments to sing with, which kinda makes me sad, the message was good, however. This is a bit of encouragement I was able to take away from today's sermon:

When difficulties come out way,

 let's face them with faith and prayer.

I settled in a little more to my new home. I am horrible with transitions and new things. I like patterns and routines. I knew moving out here would be a world of changes, a new house, two kids instead of one, no one I know... I knew it would push me emotionally and spiritually and that's okay, I am slowly learning how to break out of boxes I have put myself in and adapt to new things. So heading into this week, my goal is to find a new routine, one that works for the little girls, works for Lisa and works for me.  Oh, and take pictures....

The Sleep Deprived Traveler

I'm not a particular fan of flying. Something about being stuck in a tube around 40,000 ft from the ground with a bunch of strangers that makes for a less than enjoyable time. Also, as a busy person, sitting still without movement or doing something productive is kinda hard.

With just 3.5 hours of sleep, I got dropped off at the airport. My flight time had changed, so I felt a little rushed through security. The first flight to San Francisco was fairly uneventful. I slept a good deal and listened to Lily and Madeleine.   

The second flight, which was twice as long, was really nice. The middle seat was open and I had the window seat, my favorite. I slept again for a good part of the flight. See why I stay up so late before? Read, watched a few episodes of a show and watched the scenery go by far below.

 I was happy to land and meet my new little nieces and see Elsa and Samuel and Lisa. I couldn't help feeling a little homesick last night, but that will wear off soon enough. 

September Summer

The last few weeks have been the hardest weeks of my entire life. Even while I've felt a lot of anger, sadness and stress lately, I was shown I have the best support system in my friends and a closeness with the Lord that I've never had. All the problems have also drawn us kids together and shown me that I wouldn't want any other family besides mine. So even though this time is painfully hard, it has helped me grow and face my fears. Amid the hardness of this page of my life there is sweetness I never expected.

A way I cope and think is to drive, so there have been a few days where I went out with no destination. I drove country roads, found new places and favorite places. I painted, walked beaches, took pictures and was thankful... I was determined to enjoy these last summer days. There is nothing like driving country roads with the windows down breathing in the warm ripe blackberries or the ocean. I am still in awe of the world God gave us to live in. I'm cherishing every day, even the hard ones, they are part of my story.