Hmmm, Pumpkin Spice Lattes

The beauty of moving to a location where not a single soul knows you is that you can be who you want to be without anyone having any preconceived notions or expectations of how I should act, feel, or be.  Not to say that I've changed much, but it's like a fresh, clean slate.  It's fun making new friendships.  Letting people in on my life, learning about them.  My small group that meets on Wednesday is fantastic.  Less than two weeks I've known these people, but within the body of Christ they're my brothers and sisters and their love for Christ is evident in numerous ways.  It has allowed me an ability to feel at home, finally.  In some ways it feels like months, and in other it feels like I got on the plane yesterday.  Already this has been such a great opportunity to grow, and I'm just getting started.  What does the future hold for me?  Well, I can safely say that it holds hours of driving two little girls all around DC and Maryland, early mornings, busy afternoons, and lots of challenges.  I'm looking forward to it all. 

I've taken to sitting at the Starbucks across the street from my house.  I'm trying to get to know the baristas.  There are lots of high school students here because so many families live in the neighborhood I live in.  I've rediscovered that I LOVE pumpkin spice lattes.  They're not low on calories, but they're definitely worth running off. :)  So delicious. 

I spend a lot of time reading.  I'm enjoying it.  If you have any suggestions for me to read....please, send them my way.   

I wish you all could be sitting here with me.  So many funny little things happen that are hard to explain, but funny none the less.  People watching rocks my world.  People here are vastly different, but similar all at the same time.  This girl just walked in with 4 in heels, and could hardly walk, but right behind her was her mom......

after you see her mom you realize why this girl is wearing the most ridiculous heels and outfit. 

Like mother, like daughter. 

The mother looks like she could be on real housewives of DC(and maybe she is...I live in the right part of town).

Interesting

A High school teacher just sat at the table next to me, and he's grading his papers....boy I don't envy him. 

An old man and woman are cute sitting in the comfy chairs having a happy conversation, and the weird man in the red hat is sitting in the corner...he's probably a spy or undercover, that's what I'm guessing.  the spy museum said there is a ridiculous amount of people that are spies/undercover in DC.  So, I'm always on the lookout(wink, wink).  So, as you can see, these people are quite a bit different. 

I love DC  :)

5K

So, I signed myself up for a 5K.  It's to support the local crisis pregancy center and I'm really excited.  My friend Sandra is going to do it with me.  I can't wait. 

If you want to support me just let me know.  I can send you the link to my website that allows you to make donations to me without much hassle. 

Blog's have been fewer lately mainly because things have settled into a bit of a routine.  I love being here, and I love that my relationship with each girl seems to be growing stronger and stronger. 

My church is fantastic, and I love that God has sent me to this church.  What a great blessing it is on me.

I'll be writing more later.  

 

Here is Love

Discipline is love.  A great love.   

He disciplines and refines me.  

Here is Love.  By His mercy he shows me my faults and commands me to follow Him in all things, to turn from my sin and cling to His righteousness. 

I often fail.

He loves me.

I was reminded last night that the ultimate sacrifice has been paid for me.

I'm free because when I stand before God my sins will have been atoned for.

 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,  and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."  Romans 5:1-11

Church

I've been looking for a church since I arrived, and now that I've been here a month I was starting to feel a little lonely.  Not knowing anyone is really a test of sorts.  Trusting in God to supply my needs, leaning on Him in a new and different way then I've ever had to before.  I don't know what He has in store, but I do know that He is my king, and anything He brings me He also brings me the strength to handle.  

I think I've found my church.  I've gone from SVC to SRC.  Solid Rock Church was thee most inviting, encouraging, loving church I've ever entered.  Very sincere people, and a very diverse group.  People from every walk of life.  This is just what I was looking for.  I'm thankful for such a delightful Sunday.  I'm going to try their Wednesday meeting this week.  I'm excited to go. 

 "How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

 They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

 For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light do we see light."

Psalm 36:7-9

Brick, Brick, Brick

Hello Friends,

I've survived another great week.  It's wonderful how the timing of my new job has allowed me to ease into the routine.  Gigi and Alicia go to two different schools that are quite a distance apart.   So, I'll be taking Alicia to school dropping her off, then taking Gigi to school.  However, Gigi was in school this week, but Alicia was not.  So, I was able to comfortably drive to school without having to worry about one of them being late or traffic slowing me up, since Gigi's school is heading away from the District, not towards.  I was thankful for my time with Alicia.  She and I had a wonderful week of baking, playing, arts, and just errands.  It's always good to have a little bit of direction too.  When we went grocery shopping together she was able to tell me which kind they usually got, and things like that.  She is a delightful, energetic, artistic child.  

Gigi is quickly holding a very dear place in my heart as well.  She is so smart, yet so unable to grasp what is right in front of her.  She is troubled with doubt and insecurities, but she is a joy.  She makes me smile, and we've had some really important moments.  I'm loving her already. 

My job is a delight, and living her is so very easy.  They've done every thing possible to help me feel comfortable, and I do.  I love my space and time, but I also love spending time with the girls. 

Their piano has quickly become my favorite place in the house.  Anyone who has ever lived with me won't be surprised by that(especially Kendra and Debbers).  I play almost every night.  It brings me a total sense of calm.  I'm thankful for that more than almost everything else.  God has given me that time to just think, reflect on him, and sing praise...even if I can't sing out loud, my heart is rejoicing. 

Living in a Jewish household has been interesting, and I've learned a lot.  I'm overwhelmed with all the traditions, commandments, and Hebrew, but I like learning about it.  Gigi goes to a dual language English/Hebrew school, so needless to say I can't help her much with her Hebrew homework.  :)

As far as finding a church goes, it has been a little bit harder than I thought.  Although I knew it would be difficult, it's been more challenging than I could've imagined.  There are SOOOO many churches here, but knowing which ones are even worth visiting is near impossible.  I emailed one of the HUGE churches I visited and asked if they could make a recommendation to a smaller church.  I wasn't sure if they would email me back, but they did.  One of the pastors recommended a church about 30 min from here.  I'm going to go this Sunday and see what I think.  I liked their website, and it looks to be quite a bit smaller.  I'm in need of some fellowship, and I would love to get plugged into a good church.  I know my Savior knows my needs, and He will provide, so I'm going to keep trying churches and trusting in Him. 

So, as for the "Brick, Brick, Brick" title I will now explain. 

This will be my second installment of:

East Coast Oddities!

#3 Everything is made out of Brick here.  We're used to seeing brick every once in a while, but here 75% of ALL things are made out of brick.  And, we're not just talking houses.  There are high-rise apartment buildings made out of brick.  Businesses, churches, sidewalks, fences!  So Much BRICK!  Adding to the difference of the brick is that the style of buildings are different as well.  The atmosphere is made so different by that one little thing.

#4.  U-turns.  Maybe this is weird to me only because I was born and raised in Yakima, WA, but having U-turns at all the lights is something I've had to get used to.  I know they make sense since turning across traffic would be a nightmare, but they're just strange.  I'm adjusting to the crazy driving, but I still think it looks funny.

#5.  This one is similar to #4 in that it has to do with driving. 

"Photo Enforced" is a sign that has quickly become my friend, and my worst nightmare.  All my friends that know me and my driving will definitely get a kick out of this.  I've often boasted about my perfect driving record, but I'm sure that it is about to come to an end....thanks to traffic cameras.  These pesky little boxes just take your picture and send you a ticket if you're caught speeding.  There is no crying to get out of it, or arguing to be done.  Pay up.  They come in the mail without warning.  Although I can say that I haven't received one...I must add a, yet.  In the mornings I often catch my self just driving along thinking about 1,000 other things...and bam I realize I'm going 5mph over the speed limit.  In a near state of panic I slow down and look at my location.  Had I passed one of the cameras in my distracted state?  This goes on all day while driving.  I'm so paranoid about having to waste money paying these tickets, that I catch my self safely going 2mph under the speed limit, just in case my speedometer is a little wrong.  O, those awful things. 

Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful week. 

I love you all!