Living and Giving

Posts have been slow in coming as I have yet to purchase internet access for my new apartment and work blocks blogs. Lacking ready internet access has been a bit of a bother on a few counts but also an excellent discipline. Though I miss being able to send random and/or rambling emails, I find I have quite a bit more personal time. Work remains slow but should be picking up soon as school starts on Tuesday. I am mostly doing indirect social work for families living in motels in Anaheim. The perks of living in this location are ready access to excellent Thai food, proximity to my southern group of friends, and the availability of virtually any chain store should the need arise for a particular item. This is still not my favorite location, but once I am not engaged every evening, I plan to explore more and make the most of being here. Anatevka is still racking up the miles even though I no longer have a commute to work, merely a six minute drive instead. (Yes, that is a big "Yay!)

I know this communication is rather disjointed; it has been a lazy, heat-saturated day at home in Fillmore. My greatest accomplishments thus far have been completing three loads on laundry, getting my inbox down to the requiste amount, and bonding with my cat while reading a Dorothy Sayers mystery and Reading Lolita in Tehran.

On the off chance that any of you were planning to pass along a gift in celebration of my birth (notice how diplomatically I strive to avoid presumption), I am asking people to rather donate to Charity:Water, one of my favorite charities. You can learn more on this page: http://www.charitywater.org/birthdays/fundraiser/sept/view/2423. I appreciate their dedication and innovation in bringing clean water to hundreds of thousands of impoverished people worldwide since their humble beginnings three years ago. They have a really neat story. As some of you know, I once interviewed to work for Lifewater, another clean water organization. The more I learn about the need (including from organizations that do not focus specially on clean water), the more I realize the truth of what a fundamental need this is. Clean water access can revitalize entire communities, dramatically increasing health as well as education and work opportunties for people who otherwise spend hours every day fetching water. I think God designed us this way as an illustration of our need for Jesus, the Living Water.

As I balance between giving away items I no longer use and accumulating new ones for my first solo living experience, I am also trying to learn the balance between giving away my money to people who need it more while still spending personally. I haven't found a formula, but I do think that I (and probably all of us) am called to give away much, much more than I want to admit. Still, I have found that even on a small scale God amply repays whatever I give away, both in tangible and intangible measurements. This is an ongoing point of surrender for me, though do truly believe that it is better to give than to receive.

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...