doxology

it almost feels like it has been months since i flew out to PBU and got offered the resident director position. but really that has only been a month. it also seems like ages ago that i had my last day of work. but no, it has only been two weeks.

people keep asking if i have settled in, how i am feeling, how i am adjusting...and the truth is that sometimes it feels like reality and other moments i feel as though i am going to wake up from this dream. and not that it is a bad dream! i still can't quite believe that i am here!
but here i am. i live in pennsylvania. weird. but good.

two weeks ago i had my last day of work. i packed up all my stuff. i said good bye to friends and even cried a little. then i set out on a great cross-country road trip with my mom. i couldn't have asked for a better travel buddy. someone who knows me well, can sing along with the tunes, let me have car naps and put up with all my silliness to boot! we did discover some things on the journey though:
-toll roads are a terrible idea. lots of states seem to have functioning roads without them. it seems like alot of unnecessary stopping. and annoying to have to give away all your cash just to drive through a state...or several. but using different voices when paying tolls makes it almost worth it. almost. but not quite.
-the debate isn't really about a chicken or an egg. it is about the grape and the grapefruit. =)
-if ever suffering a small appetite at a bed and breakfast, it is best to bring your own zip-lock-bags for a quick food stash, so as not to hurt any feelings.
-cows are great!
-if you want to be prepared, it would be advisable to bring glasses that see through clouds in the event of fog at mt. rushmore. otherwise, you may be forced to take photos will a pop machine with the 4 presidents' likeness instead.
-if making up a motto, keep it simple. three words is best. with a period after each, such as: believe. achieve. succeed.
-we live in a beautiful country. it was a blessing to see more of it!

we arrived to PBU a week ago today. even that seems like a while ago. it was so good to get to explore philly with my mom who also was experiencing it for the first time. such a beautiful, historic city!

and then to start work. what a great job i have-complete with fun, caring people, an office of my own, business cards, a brand new phone, dinner invitations, painting parties (as in painting walls, not murals) and new friends. most of my belongings haven't arrived yet, so it is hard to feel very settled when my furniture consists of an air mattress and a cooler. but in spite of that, it has been a good first week. God has filled what could have been lonely moments with new friends. God has blessed me with the hope of the year ahead as i got to contact my RAs for the coming year and continue to dream. God has placed me in a beautiful city with so many things to see and do at my fingertips.

i am overwhelmed with how far God has brought me in the past few weeks. i am so undeserving of how he has blessed me. my faith was so small during the waiting time, yet God answered my prayers. i complained at how slow the process was, but he continues to show me how perfect his timing is. as i grieved about leaving people i love behind, he already had people in place to love me here.

praise God from whom all blessings flow. praise Him all creatures here below. praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.


ps. pictures are coming soon, i promise.