Moved out, moving in, moving forward... moving...

And so, I sit here on my futon (which is waiting for it's new owner to come get it), staring at a pile of stuff in the corner, a television and dvd player that have been unhooked... and an otherwise empty living room.  The major time of transition has begun.  My kitchen table, my bookshelves, my tv stand, my dresser, my desk and my nightstand have all been moved (along with several totes) to my parents' storage shed in Saranac.  And now comes the fun part: getting everything else to fit in my car and still be able to fit myself and my boyfriend.  In a few short days, I will officially move out.

In one short week, I will be all moved in to my new apartment on Staten Island, NY.  I still have no idea what the apartment looks like and that's okay with me.  I have stuff packed that is probably silly and I am leaving stuff home that I will probably want.  Oh well.  Whatever I need, I've always been able to find it... and much more.

Moving forward with my life means leaving things behind.  It means I have to leave behind my family, my friends, my spiritual director, my coworkers, my confidants, my boyfriend... all "my people."  I have to leave behind a job that I have loved.  I have to leave behind my catdaughter... again.  I leave behind an amazing housing situation in order to go into an unknown one.  I leave behind perfect timing for one of my life's dreams for another one of my life's dreams.

However, it's safe to say that I AM moving forward.  I am following a dream.  I am going somewhere, even if it's unknown, to follow a calling.

Leaving (again)

So, in just two weeks, my entire world will have changed... again.
I will have, by that time, packed up my entire apartment.  I will have moved everything that I'm not taking with me but keeping into my parents' storage shed.  I will have gotten rid of everything I don't want.  I will have packed up my car with everything that's going with me.  I will have loaded myself and my boyfriend into my tiny car and driven across the country.  I will have found my new address.  I will have unloaded my car and explored my part of the city.  I will have driven my wonderful boyfriend to the airport.  I will have said that terrible and horrible goodbye.
And, by this time, Eaic and I will have had our first facetime date.
I will have not slept due to the excitement of starting my new job... and I will be in the office learning about what it is I will be doing for the next year.

2 weeks.

Cleaning House

As you may have guessed, I'm cleaning out my house again.  I have listed a few things on Craigslist, but would love to offer them to you as well!

Would you use a Vintage Alarm Clock?

Can anyone use a Travel Alarm Clock?

How about some Bb Clarinet Reeds?

Or maybe you need 2 brand new (in package) white IKEA Lampshades?

Maybe you play bassoon and you need a bassoon reed case and reamer?

Perhaps you've been dying to have an insulated lunch bag?

Can anyone use some cute grey wedges?

Can anyone use a Vintage Wool Poncho?

How about some DJ Vinyl?  I have 90 Records.

Or maybe you need a new cute purse?

Maybe you want an espresso machine?

Perhaps you are (or someone you know is) graduating from GVSU and they need a GVSU Cap and Gown?

Can you use a new blouse or dress?

How about a Gazelle Edge (exercise machine)?



How about some AA batteries?


Or maybe you'd like some silicone bakeware?

Perhaps you've been looking for a good deal on a paper shredder?

Can you imagine yourself more organized with this super funky expanding file folder?


Prices completely negotiable.  I just don't have a use for all this anymore.  There might be more to come, so I'll keep you posted.

Thanks to Deann for your support!

Graduation Saturday

On Saturday, Eaic and I were treated to a pre-graduation luncheon reception for one of my minors, Latin American Studies.

Look at that handsome man!

Waiting backstage... ready to get this show on the road!

There were over 1500 students to get out into the arena, so this was a looong process.

 Right after I walked across the stage and returned to my seat, I posted this picture on Facebook.  

It's the diploma holder... minus the diploma.

The diploma itself will be mailed to me in about 4-6 weeks.

Done!

Afterward, my family - my dad, my dad, my brothers Aaron and Randy and their wives Jennifer and Nikkie, and Eaic - all went out for dinner at T.G.I. Fridays.  

We missed having Shawn there, but she will be home soon.  

It was a wonderful day!

Thank you, everyone, for your continued support, your love and your encouragement.

It has been a long, hard road, but it has been so worth it.

El Fin.

I have finished.

At 10a this morning, I submitted my final assignment.  I am done.

*takes a bow*

*takes a nap*

The Ending of A Chapter

This last weekend was the last middle school retreat of my youth ministry career at Home Acres Reformed Church.  It was such a bittersweet moment. 

In one way, I was sad.  I was sad that it was my last one.  I was sad that we had snow for the first retreat in seven years (since we pushed the dates back).  I was sad that more students were supposed to go, but couldn't at the last minute.  I was sad that not all of my volunteers could make it to celebrate such a hard year... with such a great retreat. 

It was sweet because it was such a great retreat.  We had 5 students accept Christ into their hearts for the first time.  We had students that were happy to be there and worked hard to be there.  We had leaders that truly wanted to be there for the students.  We had pretty good weather after Friday night.  We had great fun taking advantage the other activities that we didn't have time for last year.

What a great way to end this season!  I can truly celebrate... and I celebrate not the end, but because through all of our preparation and worry, God showed up.  God made Himself known in great ways this weekend.  So good!

Through the Psalms and The Busy-ness

So, these last couple posts have been more about my spiritual journey than my physical journey.  These thoughts spring out of my days of silence and they've been things that were either struggles while there... or struggles since then.

One theme that kept recurring then and continues now is "God, what have I been missing out on in the busy-ness?"

What have I missed?  I mean, the busy stuff has been mostly good busy stuff.  School is good.  I truly shouldn't be not busy with schoolwork.  It is good and it will BE good.  This is not a problem.  Work is good.  I have to work to get a paycheck.  I have to get a paycheck to live the lifestyle I've chosen.  It is good and if I stay busy with it, it will produce good results.  This is not a problem.  Putting time into a relationship and friendships is good.  You can't expect them to be all given to you without putting in some time in maintaining the closeness.  These are good and they are necessary to have a full life.  They are not bad things.

Personally, I've missed out on a rich prayer life.

I've missed out of feeling as though I'm God's invited guest.
Psalm 5:7 - But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.

I haven't gotten ready to go.
Psalm 45:10-11 - Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house.  Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord.

I've relied on things of the world instead of God's unfailing love.


I've relied on myself.
Psalm 25:15 - My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare.



So... what have you been missing out on?