My Crazy Life

Time for an update? I think so. I can’t really believe I haven’t written since December! The past 3 months have been a little crazy in my little life. Since Easter (April 4 & 5), I worked my last week at The Compass, moved to Minneapolis, started my new job at the Evangelical Free Church of America, finished unpacking and organizing (except for the books and movies – they’re shelved, but that’s it) and got my new driver’s license, and am getting a new car next week (hopefully – and that isn’t partially broken!). That’s a lot.  I still haven’t settled on a new “home church” but am close. I miss friends, family, belonging. Some mornings I wake up, walk into my living room and think, I’m in Minnesota. Woah. I still can’t completely believe it. My beloved cabin is only 1.5-2 hours away now instead of 8. Yes, I am a lucky girl.

Next up: finish getting a car and... get a library card! ;)

Ok, so I bet you’re wondering how this all came about. Well, for the past couple years I have felt restless – I have prayed for clarity, peace, calm, and many of you have prayed with me. Several months ago, on a very bad day, I decided (thanks to prompting from my mom) to just see if there might be something to apply for at the EFCA in Minneapolis. There wasn’t, but there was a “give us your email and we’ll let you know if anything opens up” box – which I completed. I didn’t really think about it again after a day or so, partly because I was pretty sure if I ever did hear from them that it would be something for which I wasn’t qualified. 

Fast forward to March 12th. I received an email notification for an administrative job – a perfect fit. I was shocked. I prayed, and since I was at work, decided to ignore it until after our big event on Saturday morning. I could NOT stop thinking about it. I asked God to get it out of my mind until Saturday unless He wanted me to do something sooner. I couldn’t get it out of my mind! So, Friday morning before I went in for an extra day of work to prepare for the event, I completed the application. Friday afternoon while I ate a late lunch I saw that I had an email response – a form letter asking for completion of a few more questions, which I did. The event on Saturday went well, I worked Sunday too since one of my coworkers was sick and two others were out of town, and Sunday afternoon I crashed.

Monday MORNING I received a phone call asking if I could interview that week. I did a Skype interview that Friday, at the end of which I was told I’d be sent some assessments on Monday. I actually received the first one that afternoon, which I completed. On Monday morning (now we’re at Monday, the 23rd) I got the other assessments, which I did that night right after work. Tuesday around 11a, they called to ask for a second interview. I let my boss know what was going on and she gave me her blessing to follow God’s apparent leading, and that she’d be praying. That Friday, March 27th, I was in Minneapolis for my first in person (but second) interview. It went very well, and I felt like I was already joining the team. I had to remind myself all the way home that it was not for sure, but even my brother was lamenting already how unfair it was that I’d be moving only a couple hours from our lake. ;) I told him it wasn’t for sure, we didn’t really know that, and he confidently said, “Yeah, but you’re moving to Minnesota.” It made me smile. I had been told I’d hear by the end of the week – likely nearer the end.

In the meantime, Trinity International University (my alma mater) had called me for an interview for a position I’d applied for about a week prior to the EFCA job due to the urging of a friend and more prayer. It was something I thought I could do, but I didn’t know if it would really work, or even if it was the right idea. My interview was to be Tuesday, the 31st, so I stayed with my friend Alicia on campus from Saturday night through Monday. Monday I worked from a desk near her office. At 8:30a I got texts from 2 of my references saying they’d just talked to the EFCA. WOAH. By 10a I had a job offer, which I accepted via phone – and would accept officially via email a few hours later. It had been two weeks and two days since I’d HEARD about the opportunity.

Clearly, very clearly, this was God’s plan. I cancelled my interview with Trinity, called my parents and told my closest friends, and my boss – who were all excited for me. Tuesday first thing I submitted my notice. The week following Easter was my last. It was a good place to be and I learned a lot, and I love people there, but I cannot explain the peace that exists when you are living in God’s plan – it has been chaotic and crazy and fast, but it has been good.

I have learned a ton in my first two months here. I have made connections with people here, and some of them are becoming friends. I look forward to settling into a church (which is hard in the land of 10,000 lakes during the summer) and getting into a small group. My apartment feels like home, though it will more so once a few friends have been there, which is happening soon as friends from Illinois come to visit. I will also feel more settled once I reorganize (properly) my book and movie shelves and get a library card so I can get … more books!

Thanks to all of you who have prayed, all of you who have been patiently waiting for the details of this update, and those of you who have listened lovingly and kindly to the moments when I’m freaking out (DMVs and driver’s knowledge tests are STRESSFUL)! God has blessed me richly, and most of it is because of you. God is good, and my story is proof!

I promise it won’t be as long again before I write… at least, I hope not! Until then...

"Vacation"

This afternoon I head to Minnesota (yessss) for 4 glorious days of time with God in nature, study, and rest. And to see the grandparents too. I'm praying to be refreshed, rejuvenated, encouraged, to learn and grow, to enjoy His creation. I know He will deliver. God is good. Of course, this means next week is a short one (only 3 work days), followed by a Friday visit to see my sweet niece, sister (-in-law) and brother. The next day I will either spend more time with them, or be going to the Indiana dunes with friends. Back to work for a week, then it's a 4 day weekend for 4th of July - making another short work week, followed by Leash & Kara's Day-o-Fun (part...ok, honestly we've really lost count...) which is ALWAYS a good, much needed time!!

This is shaping up to be a good month.

Retreat

I went on a retreat in Wisconsin this weekend, and it was a fabulous time. It was windy and quite cold, but very refreshing...and not just weather-wise. While others were getting frustrated at the tiniest bits of snow that could barely pass for air, I was excited. I love the smell of cold air. I love the smell of burning leaves. I love the smell of water (i.e. a lake). All of these things were present this weekend. PLUS, there was a good speaker who was encouraging and had some good insights and new perspectives on several ideas that were familiar to me. Some of these insights came from others who were on the reatreat with me. It was a good time of worship, reflection and communication with God.

I also had a fabulous time with friends - old and new...now the only 'difficulty' is figuring out how to keep connecting with the new ones, as I didn't think to get anyone's email address or phone number...let's hope facebook can live up to it's growing reputation for connecting and reconnecting people! :) We were able to share the discussions after each session, worship time, as well as games, meals, and just sitting around talking and connecting with eachother.

I know this post isn't the most exciting or funny or have any kind of anecdote, but it is worth a lot, I think. Let it remind you to take a look around you and remember that those around you have a different (and worthy) perspective than you do. We all come from different 'places' in life - even if they may seem to be the same on the surface. These differences (which include thought processes, insights, and ideas that I may never think of on my own) can be very instrumental in guiding us on our personal road with God. I encourage you to allow Him to use you and to use those around you. And, that may mean someone you are only in contact with for 2 days ever in your whole life. That doesn't mean they can't be part of the growth process, and it doesn't mean it was a waste of time to talk to them or pray with them. You will see each other again in Heaven and be able to talk for ...well, pretty much as long as you could possibly want... catching up on what God did throughout the rest of your lives on Earth. That's something worth the effort.

How amazing those tales will be, and this past weekend, and these friendships - however short they may end up being - were a part of that journey.