Feeling Like Home

With Halloween coming fast, I am excited as that means Christmas will be here sooner than I know...which means I get to come home to Ohio! These past few weeks have been tough but I got through them. It really showed me just how strong I am doing this by myself. Only two things are connecting me to my parents' support: a cell phone bill and health insurance. I just found out that I will have to get my own provider out here and go off the family plan, as there is no cell tower here for AT&T. So, soon I will be adding that bill to my name! I have also started applying to businesses for a job, as starting December I wont be sitting full-time anymore. I have applied to 3 places already and am continuing to scout out possibilities. If they offer health benefits, then I will finally be a fully self reliant adult....crazy.

These few weeks I have also felt more of a sense of home here though, as I have begun to get more involved in some stuff. A few Saturdays ago, the pastor and his wife had a get together at their house for people who were new in the church to meet others. I went and finally got to meet some more people my age. One is actually from Ohio and she is 24. It was also mentioned that a small group would be starting for people ages 20-30, so soon every week I will get a chance to hang out with people around my age too. I have already had a lunch date with one girl, something of which I miss doing with all my friends back home. I also signed up to help on Sunday nights with Awana, essentially a youth group ministry. My first night, to see what I thought, was this past Sunday and I liked it enough to want to volunteer more. The age group I will probably be with is the third and fourth grade girls, which tend to crack me up as they are 9 going on 29. Soon my nights will be filling up like they always seemed to do in college.

Tonight I am having dinner with the family I sit for, and my contribution was to bring dessert. It was my first shot at baking a cake since I have moved, and it turned out okay. I will probably cook it for longer next time, as I knew to turn down the oven temp but not what the time to cook it would be. Tomorrow I am making cookies for my small group, which has peanut butter, caramel sauce and chocolate chips in it. I hope those turn out okay! I also got a call from the church today about a women's retreat this weekend. I didn't sign up, as it was $75 and I am trying to save my money. They called though and said they have a "scholarship" for me to go for free if I wasn't going to be busy. I didn't have any major plans so I am going to go! Its amazing how God can bless me like that, and its one example I can share in which He does :)

One problem I am having though is getting my drivers license out here. Mine expired on my birthday, but I have made 3, count em THREE, trips to the BMV (a 30 min drive there) and still can't get it. The first time I went they were closed (online says open everyday but really only mon, wed, fri). The second time she said I needed a birth certificate because my middle initial was on my Ohio license. That was at my moms so she sent it to me. I went again and she looked at the certificate and said I need a state issued one, which mine was a city one. To get a state issued one, it can take up to 12 WEEKS to get sent to me. I didn't think it would be such a hassle to get this done and it is very frustrating. At this point though they aren't budging, so just pray that I don't get pulled over or anything until it is all taken care of. All I can do is shake my head at that situation.

Speaking of praying, many prayers need to be sent out for my family as there seem to be a lot of health issues going on lately. My grandpa just had hip replacement surgery last week, and he is finally starting to get better mentally since waking up. Others in the family are struggling with chemotherapy, COPD, heart issues and Alzheimer's. I am hoping that everyone will recover or at least be without pain. It is hard being away during these times, but I know that even if I was there there isn't much I can do about it. If everyone can hold out til Christmas when I visit, that's all I wish for!

Last of all, my second class starts next week, so I will have 2 at a time for awhile. This is nothing new, as at one point I had 3 at a time in the spring so I know I can handle it. I am past the rough spot I expected financially in September, so now I am saving up to buy some things for my apartment and myself. The temperature is slowly decreasing, but luckily the sunshine keeps my spirits up. Today it was only 45 degree when I went outside, but there was no need for a coat as the sun kept you plenty warm as long as you stayed out of the shade! The next update I hope will bring some more good news of health, friendship and a job! Everything in God's time I know, but I want it all to hurry up and get here! Hoping that you are overflowing with these blessings and more also...until next time ADIOS!!