July 30, 2009
Emily Update
Latest update: Emily is being moved to the ICU as she has pneumonia in both lungs. She says she's not worried, and neither am I. However, she is rather seriously sick in a foreign country, so please keep her in your prayers. Also, the parentals are stressed. Thanks!
P.S.
Also, I was able to talk to both Nicki and Veronica the past couple days, both newly arrived home from other continents. Yay!
July 29, 2009
Jeremiah 29:11
Yours truly is still desperately attempting to sort through the red tape and roadblocks with AmeriCorps as well as my potential apartment lease. Latest AmeriCorps escapade: they misspelled my last name on my plane ticket (???) and are waiting to hear back from the travel agent to see if it can be fixed by Tuesday morning. On the same day I received the botched itinerary, the leasing officer put the wrong payment amount on my holding deposit receipt, so I have to ask them to fix that as well. Mom says, "Welcome to the real world" which I regard as a pessimistic view.
Emily is in the hospital in Israel with an ailment that is flummoxing diagnosis. The doctors thought it was a kidney infection but now think it is tied to respiratory trouble. I have always pictured the two as quite different sections of the anatomy, so the discrepancy is a bit unnerving. Evidently the hospital is up to par and she is receiving plenty of visitors. I wonder if she is still managing to be sleep-deprived in the hospital. If anyone could manage, 'twould be Emily. Lest I seem flippant about my sister's condition, I should add that I covet your prayers on this matter. I am also praying for my friend Velma Hutchins (from my church in SLO) who is essentially on life support. She has bacterial infections (CMV, infection in the lungs, and something in her blood). Her white blood count is going up. She is on full dialysis, and she has low body temperature. Please pray for this elderly woman who loves the Lord.
Mom and I were privileged to attend Chris and Deanna's wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico this past weekend. The ceremony was beautiful and meaningful and we were more than happy to be there in full support of their union. It was also a pleasure to spend time with the Gartner family over the weekend. With all of the weddings I annually attend, I think I have made the majority of decisions for my own, aided by my decisive nature. (That was thrown in there for all my indecisive friends.) As for Los Cabos, I have concluded that it has nothing on San Diego except for an determined collection of resorts, though I always enjoy visiting new places.
Work at the California Literary Arts Society is wrapping up, and soon I'll be packing for my move to Orange County. Donovan and I had our eight-month anniversary for those of you keeping track (which is all the J's). Beth is in Arizona visiting her best friend and Mom is picking them up to bring them home after a quick visit with her lifetime friends in Phoenix. Shrimp is still living an enviable life. Oh, and Jeremy and I take turns beating each other at Boggle. I told you my brother is smart. I'll finally have room for my board game collection in my new apartment. You have to appreciate the little things, like rediscovering "Never My Love" by the Association. I was proud of Nick for knowing it. The end.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Emily is in the hospital in Israel with an ailment that is flummoxing diagnosis. The doctors thought it was a kidney infection but now think it is tied to respiratory trouble. I have always pictured the two as quite different sections of the anatomy, so the discrepancy is a bit unnerving. Evidently the hospital is up to par and she is receiving plenty of visitors. I wonder if she is still managing to be sleep-deprived in the hospital. If anyone could manage, 'twould be Emily. Lest I seem flippant about my sister's condition, I should add that I covet your prayers on this matter. I am also praying for my friend Velma Hutchins (from my church in SLO) who is essentially on life support. She has bacterial infections (CMV, infection in the lungs, and something in her blood). Her white blood count is going up. She is on full dialysis, and she has low body temperature. Please pray for this elderly woman who loves the Lord.
Mom and I were privileged to attend Chris and Deanna's wedding in Los Cabos, Mexico this past weekend. The ceremony was beautiful and meaningful and we were more than happy to be there in full support of their union. It was also a pleasure to spend time with the Gartner family over the weekend. With all of the weddings I annually attend, I think I have made the majority of decisions for my own, aided by my decisive nature. (That was thrown in there for all my indecisive friends.) As for Los Cabos, I have concluded that it has nothing on San Diego except for an determined collection of resorts, though I always enjoy visiting new places.
Work at the California Literary Arts Society is wrapping up, and soon I'll be packing for my move to Orange County. Donovan and I had our eight-month anniversary for those of you keeping track (which is all the J's). Beth is in Arizona visiting her best friend and Mom is picking them up to bring them home after a quick visit with her lifetime friends in Phoenix. Shrimp is still living an enviable life. Oh, and Jeremy and I take turns beating each other at Boggle. I told you my brother is smart. I'll finally have room for my board game collection in my new apartment. You have to appreciate the little things, like rediscovering "Never My Love" by the Association. I was proud of Nick for knowing it. The end.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
July 16, 2009
Quick Update
As of Monday, I am officially accepted to my AmeriCorps position and am 100% moving to Orange County in a few weeks. There are still complications with my housing allowance and thus my move date (i.e. trying to navigate without getting stuck in the red tape), but I hope to move the weekend of August 8. Prior to that, I will be in Bellvue, WA (I think I totally massacred the spelling) from August 4-7 being trained.
Yesterday I was thinking about how few things are constant in our lives. It seems that circumstances and people are generally seasonal. I do believe that "the natural things speak of the invisible." Perhaps God designed the earth with seasons to show us that while some things are constant, change is normal and natural. Of course, we have all observed people whose lives seem to reflect a Mediterranean climate: temperate and stable. I prefer that myself, both literally and as a metaphor, yet with ample opportunities to travel and experience difference. I know this is one reason we treasure our families--their prescence is often constant in a world that is not. Praise God for His faithfulness and steadfastness.
Yesterday I was thinking about how few things are constant in our lives. It seems that circumstances and people are generally seasonal. I do believe that "the natural things speak of the invisible." Perhaps God designed the earth with seasons to show us that while some things are constant, change is normal and natural. Of course, we have all observed people whose lives seem to reflect a Mediterranean climate: temperate and stable. I prefer that myself, both literally and as a metaphor, yet with ample opportunities to travel and experience difference. I know this is one reason we treasure our families--their prescence is often constant in a world that is not. Praise God for His faithfulness and steadfastness.
July 12, 2009
July so far
As I was recently reminded, it has been quite some time since I have posted. My laptop is currently out on loan, which has curtailed the amount of time I spend online. (Our two home computers both have terribly uncomfortable chairs.) Moreover, though much has been on my mind, priorities have been elsewhere.
Last week a close family friend, Charlie Harris, unexpectedly went home to be with Jesus. Charlie was the assistant pastor at our church and has been a regular part of my life for nineteen years. My family and I have been spending a lot of time with his family and answering phone calls, etc. It has been a long week and a half.
Though it has been over a month, I am also still waiting to be confirmed from the national AmeriCorps office for my position in Orange County. It has been a frustrating process -- or lack of a process. There are about thirty other people in the same boat, but I am a bit more affected because I am one of the only ones relocating. My move date is August 3rd, but I may have to secure housing by July 20. I say "may" because the woman who sent me paperwork with that date is unsure whether or not that date is correct. This seems to be AmeriCorps modus operandi. Unfortunately, to summarize a long explanation, I have to wait for my confirmation to sign a lease. Despite my anger towards AmeriCorps' incompetancy and inconsideration, I do know that the Lord has a place for me. I'm not looking forward to moving back to Orange County, but I do think that is where He wants me for now. This means He also has a place for me to live. Thankfully, I am looking forward to my new job and shall probably be updating you on it.
My mom just told me: "Your days are numbered."
Me: "I am going to put that in my blog post."
Mom: "That's not good if your mother says your days are numbered."
Me: Unsympathetic chuckle
She was referring to me being on their health insurance.
My part-time job is proceeding nicely. Mary, my boss, feeds me chocolate and compliments me effusively, so I am pampered. I finished a small grant proposal for the City of Ventura, Cultural Affairs Division and turned it in on Friday. We are now working primarily on planning the Ventura Book Festival, which will be July 25. Last year almost 1,000 people attended, and we have twelve presenters and thirty exhibitors lined up for this year. It's fun to be a part of it, though I won't be able to attend the actual event due to being in Cabo San Lucas for Deanna and Chris's wedding. Last Wednesday Donovan and I walked through Main Street in Ventura asking the shops to display posters for the book festival. It was nice to be able to stroll downtown, ducking into all the stores on a temperate afternoon while being on the clock.
In other recent events, a group of friends from Orange County (Amanda, Becca, Donovan, and Ryan) joined me a couple weeks ago for a viewing of Les Miserables in Solvang. The show is one of my absolute favorite musicals, and it was good to be on the Central Coast again, albeit briefly. My friend and former London roommate Sarika visited me last weekend and we had a lovely time, despite the recent news of Charlie's death. We went honeytasting, saw a play in Santa Paula with Kate, walked around Ventura, played games with Donovan, and went to Orange County for the Fourth of July. It was a treat to have her here from out of state. Today, I met with Lindsay for the first time since December. She has been in West Virginia for a few months for a dietetic internship and is now home in Simi Valley for a season. It is good to have her back in the vicinity.
I aim to enjoy these last three weeks with my family, minus Emily who is in Israel. Soon I will be working full-time again in a new location, sleep-deprived and farther away from many of my friends. Still, the best place to be is where God wants you. I'll also be closer to my grandparents and Emily, Donovan, Heather, Joe and Suzanne, and my newer friends in Orange County. I praise God for taking care of me.
Last week a close family friend, Charlie Harris, unexpectedly went home to be with Jesus. Charlie was the assistant pastor at our church and has been a regular part of my life for nineteen years. My family and I have been spending a lot of time with his family and answering phone calls, etc. It has been a long week and a half.
Though it has been over a month, I am also still waiting to be confirmed from the national AmeriCorps office for my position in Orange County. It has been a frustrating process -- or lack of a process. There are about thirty other people in the same boat, but I am a bit more affected because I am one of the only ones relocating. My move date is August 3rd, but I may have to secure housing by July 20. I say "may" because the woman who sent me paperwork with that date is unsure whether or not that date is correct. This seems to be AmeriCorps modus operandi. Unfortunately, to summarize a long explanation, I have to wait for my confirmation to sign a lease. Despite my anger towards AmeriCorps' incompetancy and inconsideration, I do know that the Lord has a place for me. I'm not looking forward to moving back to Orange County, but I do think that is where He wants me for now. This means He also has a place for me to live. Thankfully, I am looking forward to my new job and shall probably be updating you on it.
My mom just told me: "Your days are numbered."
Me: "I am going to put that in my blog post."
Mom: "That's not good if your mother says your days are numbered."
Me: Unsympathetic chuckle
She was referring to me being on their health insurance.
My part-time job is proceeding nicely. Mary, my boss, feeds me chocolate and compliments me effusively, so I am pampered. I finished a small grant proposal for the City of Ventura, Cultural Affairs Division and turned it in on Friday. We are now working primarily on planning the Ventura Book Festival, which will be July 25. Last year almost 1,000 people attended, and we have twelve presenters and thirty exhibitors lined up for this year. It's fun to be a part of it, though I won't be able to attend the actual event due to being in Cabo San Lucas for Deanna and Chris's wedding. Last Wednesday Donovan and I walked through Main Street in Ventura asking the shops to display posters for the book festival. It was nice to be able to stroll downtown, ducking into all the stores on a temperate afternoon while being on the clock.
In other recent events, a group of friends from Orange County (Amanda, Becca, Donovan, and Ryan) joined me a couple weeks ago for a viewing of Les Miserables in Solvang. The show is one of my absolute favorite musicals, and it was good to be on the Central Coast again, albeit briefly. My friend and former London roommate Sarika visited me last weekend and we had a lovely time, despite the recent news of Charlie's death. We went honeytasting, saw a play in Santa Paula with Kate, walked around Ventura, played games with Donovan, and went to Orange County for the Fourth of July. It was a treat to have her here from out of state. Today, I met with Lindsay for the first time since December. She has been in West Virginia for a few months for a dietetic internship and is now home in Simi Valley for a season. It is good to have her back in the vicinity.
I aim to enjoy these last three weeks with my family, minus Emily who is in Israel. Soon I will be working full-time again in a new location, sleep-deprived and farther away from many of my friends. Still, the best place to be is where God wants you. I'll also be closer to my grandparents and Emily, Donovan, Heather, Joe and Suzanne, and my newer friends in Orange County. I praise God for taking care of me.
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