"We lost everything..."

Last week a horrible storm came through our little town. Many people had property damage caused by fallen trees and limbs. The power was out for days. I called my mom to talk about it and when she asked if we were able to salvage our cold food I replied with, "We lost everything." I was referring to all the frozen chicken and beef, the milk, eggs, yogurt, and breakfast meats, all the sandwich meat, and the cheeses too.

Yesterday we took Brandon's parents out to lunch in honor of Father's Day. While we were waiting for out party to be escorted to a table, a woman approached Brandon and asked if he had a dollar he could give to her. We had no cash and apologized, but moved on pretty quickly and she turned to ask another. I recognized her as one of the homeless women in the area. I watched as she asked each family for some money. She looked so young, so capable. Why was she living on the streets? She must be around my age. Why would she accept begging as a lifestyle? As we ate lunch I couldn't help but think about how I should have invited her to join us. To ask her about herself. To pray over her. I did none of these things.

I remembered back to what I had told Mom earlier that week, "We lost everything." We lost so little in comparison to this young woman. She had obviously come from a decent home, as her hair still had beautiful braiding and dye. She had manners and seemed educated. What did she lose to get here? I don't know what the answer is to that... but I'll bet it really was everything she had. Yesterday I neglected the hungry, and I am ashamed of myself for it. I hope I get the chance to help her again one day. Believe me, next time I will.

As We Find Our Way

For months we've been begging for some guidance, or maybe a sign from above. Our lease is coming to an end in about five weeks and with no idea where God is calling us to go, I've felt stranded and hopeless. Where will we live? Will we be able to find two decent jobs? How are we going to move our stuff?

Brandon and I had put in dozens of job applications all across the state, but it seemed as if our efforts were not paying off. And then yesterday, he got an email. It was from Cook Out's corporate office. They had seen his resume and wanted to talk to him about a management position. He hadn't even applied, and they were seeking him out. He will be contacting the company this week, and he is very interested in the position. He looked at the salary that Cook Out typically pays store managers and it seems incredibly generous. It is four times our current combined income. We could pay off our student loans and save around 20% for a down-payment on our home within a two year span. And this projection doesn't include how much I will be making. I'm finally filling good about this move. Even if this job doesn't pan out for Brandon, I feel like we can handle this now.

A few weeks ago my mom mentioned that I was graduating with a business degree. She was speaking to  her supervisor, who then informed her that they have openings in another office and if I could send her my resume, being the daughter of a very respected employee like my mom would pretty much get me the job. Ironically, the position with Cook Out and the position with my mom's company are only thirty minutes apart. Today I'm praising the Lord for providing us with a destination. I'm going to apply for the position with my mom's company, and we've already looked online at some apartments which are surprisingly affordable and in safe neighborhoods. It's so wonderful to have a direction. And I have to say, I never saw myself living in Greensboro, but now that it's on the table, I love the idea of being close to both families (mine and Brandon's).

Psalm 31:3
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me

A Love That Surpasses Knowledge

Yesterday I went to a last minute baby shower. The mother, Megan, got pregnant out of wedlock. Both she and the baby's father, John, are teens. They got married a few months ago and today they have a two-week old. I'll admit that their situation is not ideal. John's mother attended the shower, but it was obvious that she was not there to support her son and his new wife. It seemed that we were honored with her presence for two reasons. The first, so that she could see her grandson, since it seems she isn't invited to do so on a regular basis. The second, to get credit with the church for attending. At the beginning of the shower when someone volunteered to hold the newborn as Megan prepared her own plate, the grandmother quickly announced that she would take the baby, "I'm the grandmother after all." I could tell that this made Megan particularly uncomfortable, but she allowed her mother-in-law to snatch the little boy from her arms. They didn't speak to each other at all, and even though it's customary for families to be seated close to one another, the grandmother sat on the other side of the room, making critical remarks on how this child (her daughter-in-law) hadn't even attended enough baby showers to know that she should pass her opened gifts around for the guests to ooh and aww over.

I can't help but wonder how this shower could have gone if Megan and John had been married at the time of conception, or if the grandmother was capable of forgiving this ten month grudge. What if they had worked things out before the baby arrived? Their relationship would be so much better. Now the family is separated by hurt. Megan is seen as a worthless by John's mother, and she is seen as judgmental and cruel by Megan. After seeing this interaction, I realized that even something as innocent and sweet and refreshing as a baby could not save their tattered relationship. What if, even in a situation this close to home, they could love like Christ? His love is redeeming, not condemning.

Ephesians 2:17-19
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

It even surpasses the knowledge of our sins.

An Unexpected Saturday

Brandon told me on Friday that he would have Saturday off of work. I was so excited because for once we didn't have plans or obligations. We could spend our Saturday in whatever way we wanted! It was perfectly unexpected.

We slept in, but only until around 9am, so it was still early enough to enjoy the coolness of the morning. I remembered how Brandon mentioned a few weeks ago that he wanted us to go running together, so I asked him to come to campus with me and do a few laps. We ended up walking most of it, but it was a beautiful morning and it was so nice to take a stroll and catch up. It's funny that we have to make time to catch up when we live together, but that's how it works when you start working full time.

After our walk Brandon surprised me. He lead me to our car and opened the trunk. He had brought along a book we've been reading together and our new hammock (which we've both been dying to try out). We strung it up by the river and enjoyed the breeze.

We both started getting hungry around eleven, it must have been that strenuous run we took ; )
So we headed for the apartment to make some lunch. Afterwards we decided to shampoo the carpet in our new used-car. We cleaned for several hours and felt pretty pleased with ourselves. We decided that our great efforts had earned a trip to the movies and a dinner date. We went to the matinee and enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean over a large Dr. Pepper.

It seemed too early to have dinner so Brandon suggested that we head to Dillsboro, the next town over, and walk around. It ended up being pretty cool because the town was putting on some sort of collaborated event. All of the shops were open and there was live music and free samples of some really great food. We found a new kitchen store that we had never noticed before. After that we went to dinner and then called it a night.

It might sound dorky, but this was the highlight of my week! We didn't do anything spectacular or go anywhere romantic, but we didn't need to in order to have a great time. I love spending time with this guy, no matter where we are or what we're doing. He rocks, and I adore him.

Yep, that's my man!

My first job as a graduate!

I graduated from college a few days ago. Its been a long road, but I'm glad I took it. My boss offered me a position with our company as a temporary employee (until our lease expires and we move closer to family). I have never known our company to transition a student worker into a temporary before, and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I found out today that my new job title is "Receptionist for the Department of Residential Living at WCU." My duties have not changed at all, as I was already performing these tasks in order to maintain good customer relations. My supervisor also explained that I would not be able to maintain my previous pay grade. I assumed it was due to the raise I got last year (a quarter more an hour) and that I would be returning to minimum wage. She explained that I would now be making somewhere between $3-4 more. Is it professional to turn bright red and yell "OH MY GOODNESS!" in the workplace? Either way, I did it! She knows my situation well, so she laughed and said she was glad it didn't hurt my feelings too bad.

I asked God to provide a boat so I could get across the tossing sea. He said no, and then parted the waters. I marvel at the work of His hand as I walk past walls of ocean with feet on dry land...

The Lord who Heals

My neck started hurting around nine months ago. At first I just thought it was a pulled muscle, but it never recovered. It seemed like such a small thing to go to the doctor about, so I didn't. In spite of taking it easy, my neck hurt more and more. In the past few weeks it has gotten to the point where I cannot lay down and then sit up without cradling the back of my neck with my hands. It felt so weak, like a twig that would snap in half if any weight was applied. I have become so frustrated with the way this injury inhibits my everyday activities. Even leaning into the washing machine to retrieve laundry has been agonizing. But today, everything changed.

Until now I've never known the Lord as Great Physician. That was just a name without any personal meaning to me. This morning my neck popped and I was healed. I wish I could tell you that I had faithfully prayed for this miraculous relief, but I didn't. The truth is, I settled with the pain. The weird part is that my neck pops several times a day, but on this particular morning, I knew the Lord's hand was on me. I can't explain it, I just knew without even testing it, that I had been healed. I thanked God for this blessing and went about my day performing normal activities that were once difficult, with such ease. What a relief it is to bend over and pack my book bag without any ache, or read my text book without any strain.

Exodus 15:26
"...For I am the Lord who heals you."


Jeremiah 17:14
"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, For You are my praise."

When I wish upon a star, this is what I wish for.

Today I caught a beautiful glance of what life will be like when I can be more of a wife, and not a full time student. I finished up my Law class last week so for the next month I only have seven classes (which is two more courses than the average student's load). I actually had free time tonight, so guess what we did! We sat around in pajamas and played video games and it was great! I had no homework hanging over my head, for the first time in months. We had no plans with other couples or church activities, it was just "us time." I love spending time with Brandon. I really miss out on this when I'm buried under projects and studying. It's having a heavy influence on my plans for grad school. Do I really want another two years of our marriage to be treated with such neglect? Absolutely not. He deserves so much more from me. So as far as I am concerned, my decision is made. Besides, what value does another diploma hold when prospective employers already believe me to be overqualified. No more school after this degree, give me family.

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it."
-- George Moore (Irish Novelist)