Bullet Update

-Moved into my lovely new apartment with two toned paint...though still battling for my full housing allowance.
-Emily is out of the hospital and coming home early September.
-Mom is home as of Tuesday.
-I need to get an oil change.
-I forgot how expensive toilet paper and paper towels are.
-I still severely dislike traffic.
-Looking forward to reconnecting with my friends in Southern California.
-I'm way behind on my phone calls.
-I hope I'm able to make a lasting difference in the lives of these motel community families.
-I thank God that He is faithful and doesn't give up on us. That He has a perfect love and continues to change us. Amen.

Moving headache, literally and figuratively

After much red tape and miscommunication, I'm borrowing money from my parents for the initial payment and moving into my apartment tomorrow. I had wanted my living allowance to pay for this first month's rent, but it seems impossible at this point. It is disappointing that I had to come up with this payment; I don't think I'll be reimbursed.

Training in Washington went well. We stayed at a new, four star Hyatt Regency just outside Seattle. My roommate and I went downtown to see the new musical version of Catch Me if You Can, written by the creators of Hairspray and The Full Monty. It was mediocre, but we had a fun experience. Also, it ended up being a benefit concert for a nonprofit offering services to the impoverished, so we were happy to support that in part. The next night we went to Pike's Market and the Seattle Art Museum. It turned out to be free day at the museum. I'm not a big fan of iconoclasm, minimalism, or African art, and so was disappointed in the collection as a whole. However, it is a beautiful facility, and I did surprisingly enjoy the porcelain collection and a few individual pieces.

Well, I'm procrastinating on packing, which always takes longer than one expects. I've had a persistent headache all day that has sapped my energy and thrown me off schedule. May I recommend "Myles of Style" on www.hgtv.com as an antidote. I just discovered Kim Myles last night and after watching several of her shows (design shows are pretty much the only TV I watch, besides the Olympic gymmnasts) have remained impressed with her taste, flair, and ingenuity. She's had no formal design training, but that woman is good! She seems to really tailor her output to the client while still trusting her own judgment (after all, the client did apply to her show). She's quite creative, assisted by a capable carpenter. I'll have to add a carpenter to my fantasy list of handy friends. (Still looking for that mechanic...)

Romans 8:28

Thank you to those of you praying for my sister, Emily. Her fever broke on Friday (dates are a bit confusing because they are ten hours ahead) and today she was taken off oxygen. She was also moved today from the ICU to the pulmonary unit. Evidently she is still in pain with atypical pneumonia, but she is progressing and was able to sit up unassisted. My Mom is worn out and experiencing some lower back pain, but is happy to be there.

This evening I found out that an elderly friend, one of my church members from my old church in SLO, passed away after a long bout in the hospital. Thankfully she went to be with the Lord, but she will still be missed.

Today was my last official day of work with the California Literary Arts Society and I will miss the lovely Executive Director and our varied literary pursuits. Tomorrow morning I am flying to Bellevue, Washington for a four day orientation with AmeriCorps. On Sunday afternoon I will drive to Orange County to endure local orientation for a day and a half and then hopefully will move into an apartment Tuesday evening. The apartment is still up in the air; I am waiting on both the leasing agency and my employer to approve paperwork. My first day of work is Wednesday.

This has been a difficult month for my family, but we continue to enjoy our many blessings and believe that:

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

Amen

Fever Broke

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for my sister Emily. Her fever broke yesterday and her condition changed from critical to stable. She remains in the ICU on oxygen with (I believe) double pneumonia. Though she is on pain meds, she evidently has consistent pain in her lower back. She would undoubtedly elaborate on my explanation with her nursing lexicon, but I believe that this is enough information to elicit sympathy. We have been calling her cell phone via Skype, which offers the best rates. Mom is staying at a hostel there until Emily gets out of the hospital. Again, thank you for your prayers. This has been a rough month for my family, but we continue to trust that God works ALL things together for good for those who love Him, those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This doesn't mean that pain, disappointment, tragedy, and hardship will never touch us, but that through God's grace, good can come out of them.

On Friday Donovan and I went to the Orange County Super Fair for a few hours and became the first two people of my acquaintance to consume a fried Twinkie. It's not recommended for any culinary merit, but 'twas an experience worth $3.75. Aren't the Twinkies a people group from Oz? This could explain so much...