Hi! I just realized I haven’t written since February and I’m
sure you agree that it has been way too long.
More than once I thought I about it, but either was too lazy or realized
it’s probably better if I don’t share everything (see, I do have a filter).
WORK:
When I last wrote I was debating whether I should switch
departments at my job or stay with the same one. I switched.
I think it’s good, I now know what I’m supposed to be doing, and most of
the time I know how to do it. Also I got
a better office, with a window, and negotiated working from home on
Fridays. I also had fish for a little
while, but I killed all 12 of them and switched to plants, people are less
judgey when they die. Another perk of my job is my boss is only in town every
other week and for some reason thinks I get off at 3. So when he’s around and
sees me working until almost 4 most days he’s really impressed. Plus I’m drama free (his words) and regularly
bring him cookies or fruit. The downside
is that in the mornings I have to work in a refinery trailer. It is really dirty (in every sense of the
word) and doesn’t have a bathroom but I’ve been decorating; they
really love me there.
And, in case you
were wondering, the sign hasn’t worked, but that might be a good thing because
one of the guys did give up tobacco, sugar and drinking one week and was
terrible to be around. Actually quite a
few of my coworkers have been terrible to be around lately, but nothing like
workplace conflict to keep me humble.
FRIENDS:
The spring/summer I went on a few trips and fortunately saw
many of you. One of the trips was to
Chico with my college roommates (minus Katharine). It was a little startling to realize it had
been 10 years since we graduated but such a blessing to not only reflect on the
Lord’s goodness while we lived together, but how He has continued to be
faithful since then. Here are 2
pictures from the weekend; the one with a very sad baby Tirzah was taken right
before we left.
Also this summer friends came to visit and I got to do all sorts of Bay Area exploring, it’s very pretty here and those work from home Fridays come in handy.
But guys, I made a local friend too (move over mom). Here’s how it went down. My friend Jenn was in town and we met up for
lunch at a coffee shop. At this coffee shop I saw this girl reading her Bible
so I strategically sat down next to her.
Then I pulled out a really classic conversation starter like, “Hi, I see
you’re reading your Bible, we’re Christians too.” I then pretty much told her I have no friends
and asked her if she would be mine. She
was like, “oh yeah sure let’s exchange numbers and I’ll text you,” but never
did. Anyways, I’m not that easily
deterred so I followed up with her and now we’re legit friends. But she stays
up too late so I’ve learned I have to limit hanging out so it doesn’t conflict
with my sleep schedule. Here’s a picture of me with her friends at the beach on
4th of July.
LIVING:
Since I moved back, almost two years ago, I’ve been living
with my parents (and whoever has been living with them) and it’s been
great. But then my aunt’s neighbor was
getting rid of these really awesome dishes and I became the proud owner of
approximately 50 pieces of hand painted Mexican dishware; ashtray and cat
shaped sugar bowl included. They were
boxed up and stuck in the attic with those wooden salt and pepper shakers I
made a while back (remember). Anyways,
these dishes got me thinking that maybe it was time to move out. Contrary to popular belief, my parents did
not agree, but my dad and I also don’t see eye-to-eye on the dishes. I mean it’s not that the dishes made me move
out, but I think the Lord used them to get me to think about how I could be
serving Him differently living on my own.
Long story short, at the beginning of August I moved to a 450 sq. foot
attached in-law unit a whole 1.5 miles from my parents. My coworker pointed out that it’s essentially
the same size (and shape) as the trailer, but it’s not dirty and it has a
bathroom so it’s much better.
After completely switching out three couches (evidently
visualization isn’t one of my strong-suits) I’m mostly settled in…as long as it
stays warm; I’m not quite sure where I’m supposed to put coats. So feel free to come visit. But don’t
come next weekend because, although the winning couch has a pull out bed, it’s
already reserved. But really you should
come because I’m not used to this much alone time, right before I moved there
were 6 extra people staying with us. Overall
it’s been great, I’ve been watching the Olympics, having people over, obsessing
over Craigslist, eating the same things over and over and nesting. And I’ve been learning a lot too, like don’t
trust Ace Hardware’s color swatches of wood stain, and cantaloupe doesn’t
freeze well, or, more specifically, it doesn’t defrost well. And maybe I’ll learn a little of how to
practice what Paul was living in Acts 28:30-31 “Then he stayed two whole years
in his own rented house. And he welcomed
all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things
concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance.”
Here's a picture of my current view, from my winning couch with the shelf my brother build me and I stained.
Well, that about sums up the past 6 months, give or take a
lot of lessons in Proverbs 19:21 “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s
purpose will prevail.” But no one wants
to read about potentially great things that didn’t happen.
What’s going on with you?
