life update...

wow. i cannot believe that i have already been home long enough to complete a whole quarter of school. that's almost three months that i have been back from nicaragua and back in vancouver. it's crazy because all of the things that i was worried about- God has taken care of them. he is so good to me. his word stands true yet again...

" do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear... who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? and do not set your hearts on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. for the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. BUT SEEK HIS KINDGDOM AND THESE THINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU." luke 12:22-31

job- was hired within two weeks of being home at rose's restaurant/bakery. and just found out today that i'm being promoted from bakery girl to server. what a blessing. and then just last week, got another job downtown at a mexican restaurant a few hours a week.

school- finishing up quarter number 1 at PSU. i really am enjoying it and the diversity it brings. it is so different from WWU, namely in the student population. the average student is like 25 and has other things going on besides school. it's nice b/c most people actually want to be there rather than feeling like they have to be there. transferring there for good to finish up my spanish/latin american studies degree. if all goes well, i'll be ready for graduation spring 2009! yay!

friends- God has been bringing so many people into my life- new and old and how great that has been. i have been able to connect with some people who were big parts of my life before i left vancouver, but am also meeting some new folks in random ways. i think that has been one of the hardest parts about being here. in bellingham, i had my whole social network already all figured out and here, i am starting from square one again, but slowly but surely, it's working out.

church- i think this was one of the biggest concerns i had coming home as i feel kind of "churchless" when it comes to me and vancouver. the church i grew up going to just doesn't feel like that's where God would have me. so, i have been trying out some different ones and trying to get a feel for one where i can get more plugged in permanently and have it be my church. one really unexpected community has been found in "the way" on friday nights in portland. what a mindblowing gathering. like 1000 young people gather together for the sole purpose to worship jesus, when they could be out doing so many other things. that just encourages my soul. the Lord definitely is moving in that community and i have been touched the times that i have made the drive to go.

next quarter will be busy, as i'm taking 17 credits and working two jobs. but i'm excited about it. i'm commuting still, which is hard and time consuming, but definitely saves me a pretty penny and keeps my stress level much lower.

prayer requests:
- chances to witness to my co-workers many of whom are spanish speakers. what a great opportunity i have to practice talking about jesus in spanish! (and in English to my other co-workers)
- an opportunity has come up for me to potentially live in a house next year with other christians. a couple working with chi alpha campus ministries has a heart to start a communal house. there is a gorgeous 1900's victorian style house like two blocks from campus that is for sale. pray for money so that we can put the $200,000 down payment to secure the house if this is what God would have us do. what a great chance this would be for me and others to live alongside one another, and learn and encourage each other in our walks with the Lord.