Takeoffs and Landings

Hi friends. I decided it was time for me to contribute to this blog after my month-long absence (at least). I haven't been writing much because I've been able to talk with each of you recently, and you all know the updates with my life. Which I am very glad about, by the way! :) But for those of you who are not in the loop (meaning you probably don't really care that much), I will give you my beadybeady update...

First of all, as of January 30th, I am a COLLEGE GRADUATE!! J-term went extremely well, with a class that fit in precisely with my current situation (job search strategies, interview tips, job possibilities with a BA in psychology, etc.), and I got to spend a nice amount of time just hanging out with my college friends. Then, on January 24th, I moved home! I was home for just a week, and then I went to St. Paul, MN for two weeks. In that time, I stayed pretty busy with informational interviews, more networking, a few real interviews, and spending time with Toby. Overall, it was a really productive trip, and I think I was able to make the most of my time there. The most exciting thing that happened was that I got called for an interview for a job that I would really love! The position is as a Research Analyst with the St. Paul Public School System - basically working with different sets of testing data for the kids, evaluating special programs, looking at trends in gender/race/income, and making suggestions for improvement. I know how boring this sounds to most of you, but for me, it would be a really good fit! :) I felt like the interview went well, but I have no idea what the other interviewees are like, so I'm not holding my breath that they offer me a job. But, it was a really great experience to be called for an interview and go through that whole process. (By the way, I should be hearing from them this week if I got it.)

I'm still applying for jobs and also waiting to hear back about a few other opportunities. I met with a temp agency in MN, and there is a possibility that I could be offered a direct hire job with a Market Research firm through that. Oh! Another thing: I had an interview for a job working in a group home with people with developmental disabilities, and they did offer me the job. The thing is that it's definitely not my first choice (I'd really prefer something in research), so I told them that I'm waiting to hear back about a few other possibilities. They were really nice about it, and said that if I ever needed a part-time job I should let them know. I think if nothing else works out, I would be able to contact the HR person for that organization and she would give me a full-time job. So, I guess that's just good to know!

Let me tell you, it's weird to be unemployed. I am no longer a student, but I'm not working either. I don't want to try and work full or part-time here (in Ohio) because I don't want to start making a new life here when I have every intention of moving. It would be nice to make some extra cash, but my goal is to move within the next month, so job searching in Minnesota is my top priority. On a daily basis, though, I have no real purpose in life. I can pretty much do anything I want with my time, which is awesome in a way, but it's also starting to get old. I'm reading a lot, spending lots of time with Hannah and Katie, and hanging out with my parents, but besides that I don't do a whole lot! I'm SO eager to move and be living in MN, and also, it's not very fun to have an extended Christmas break all by yourself. Let me know if you have any ideas of what I should be doing with my free time! :)

I wish you all a wonderful week!

Love,

Heather Grace

The Sun Will Come Out...Tomorroww!

Wow. So for the first time all winter I actually believe that lyric..in a literal sense that is. : ) My life has been a hott mess of realizations over the past week and a half. First of all, I have officially decided to go on "Big Break" during my spring break with Campus Crusade in Panama City, Florida! Woot Woot! I heard about this opportunity a while back, but was never gave it a second thought. I was just like..nahh..not really necessary at this point in my life. PAleasse! After hearing about it again recently, from our campus' staff person Ben, I gained this pure excitement at the idea! After seriously thinking about it I began to see what an amazing adventure it would be, to share the gospel and reach out to college kids from all over as they are partying it up on the beach during theirr spring breaks. Another HUGE factor to me going, is that our little humble group at CSU would soo much prosper if not only I went..but if at least 2 others came along. It would be a magnificent bonding and growing experience for us. These are things that we need to be doing on my campus to strengthen our groups foundation so that it can grow more and more and can flourish at school for years to come! Whew. So that's that. Oh yea..annndd I've never seen the ocean. lol. Yes, I am deprived apparently..all my life I thought it was a normal thing..but guess not. : )

So yes, I have been overwhelmed with joy lately because of that opportunity which is amazing. However, I've been recently bombarded with..opportunities?..ha..of another kind. I am very confused about it, though have very strong and passionate feelings about the situation itself. I think it's safe to say that I will be praying nonstop about it this week and asking for clarity and for paths to be cleared. So sisters, though I'm hesitant to reveal what the crunk I'm talking about at present..could you pleasse be praying that God would reveal answers in big ways and that he would continue to grow me into the woman of God he intended me to be? Thanks a heap. ; )

I really cannot wait to see you again Elisa. I already miss you so much! Heather, I am so glad that I've been able to spend so much time with you recently, it's been sooo refreshing. And Kate, I am so grateful for your strong presence in my life and for the love you show me. : ) Love all three of you dearly. xoxo

In His Truth,

Hannah Grace

Hope that doesn't make sense

I probably speak for all of you when I say that my heart is broken over what has happened and is happening in Haiti. I believe firmly in a God who loves and protects his people, who is merciful and also just, and who is so, so good. My brain can only comprehend the earthquake in Haiti as a horrible tragedy, but I know that if God is good, which he is, he can only work this situation for good.
Since the quake, I have struggled with how to even pray for Haiti. It's a whole country, with people who are being profoundly impacted by what has happened. And yet, I have no way to begin to understand what they are going through. I went to bed last night, far too late, simply because I felt like surfing the internet for a while. And when I feel asleep, I was not wondering if my roof might collapse on me during the night. I did not hear gun shots outside my window and wonder how far off they were. I did not even think that there may be a chance that I may not ever get to see any of my friends or family again. I take my security for granted, to be sure. Am I willing to give it up? At this point, I can honestly say that yes, I will give up my safe home and my comfortable bed to serve the Lord, though I admit that I am in no way prepared for that and have no way to know what it will really be like. I get a pit in my stomach just thinking about it.
If you're like me, and have no idea how to pray for people in a circumstance that is so far from your daily experience, I would encourage you to head on over to Brian and Sarah's blog. I know not all the readers here know Brian and Sarah Bennetch very well. But they have been in Haiti for just over a week, and are posting almost daily. It has given me some perspective, although still limited, and has made my prayers more purposeful. For me, the bottom line is that we have brothers and sisters in Haiti and even though we've never met them, they need our prayers, insufficient as they may be.

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

Romans 8:18-27

A little prayer?

Hey girls,

I just wanted to write quickly to request your prayers. I'm usually pretty stubborn on this subject and don't often ask, but I'm breaking down my absurd barrier that says I don't need anyone's help or prayers and asking anyway.

I feel crushed on all sides right now. The combination of things I'm doing right now has just made every day stressful with no break in between. Work is a mess, schoolwork is time consuming, wedding planning is a headache, SCUF/Sherpa work is a whole new position; I'm finding that this semester will prove to be my most trying in every way.

Tonight, Melody reminded me that I needed to just take this all to the Lord. I'll admit, I haven't been. When I do "cast my cares on him," it is only to pick them back up again minutes later. I have not been good about prayer at all in this situation, and now that I've recognized it, I feel as though I actually could use a lot of it.

If you girls could just be praying for my stress level, which makes my emotional peaks dramatic and my decision making dull, I would greatly appreciate it. I feel dumb even listing all these things. They seem so petty and pathetic in the grand scheme of things. Unfortunately, my stress level is seldom obedient to the purport of a "grand scheme." It's one of those easier discussed than lived out sort of things... Anyway, I doubt I have to explain that to all of you as if none of you has been stressed before. I guess I'm just trying to justify my overwhelmedness, to justify a need for prayer.

I sort of feel as though God doesn't care about this, to be honest. Not because He thinks I'm dumb, but because he has more important things to take care of, like Haiti and all the people I write about at MNN. How incorrect and stifling my theology can be. I suppose I just feel like these problems of mine should not be problems, like it's my fault I'm stressed and my fault that each day is so miserable lately. I'll admit, I feel it probably is.

All this to say, I need your help, sisters. I'm sorry if I seem distant this semester. I want more than anything to see each one of you and relax and forget about all of this other garbage (but of course it is not garbage, it's just beginning to smell like it). I miss you girls and am so very grateful to have each of you. Thanks for being the three I can come to. Thanks for your prayers ahead of time. I love you all.

Peace, (right?)

Elisa