Christmas and Birthday

So this year due to where I am in this season of life everyday I have received a Christmas card it has meant so much to me.  Everyday since December 1st I have received many beautiful Christmas cards.  I receive this cards as a actual gift! so I decided how can I display my gifts like you would with those under a tree.  Here is what I came up with one night

Thank you so much to each of you who has sent me a Christmas card I look at them every single day and smile at all the kind words, and beautiful faces that are in my life as family and friends.  Thank you for taking time to make a card and send it my way I treasure them a lot especially this year.

So then I decided I needed to do something fun with my birthday cards I got and here is what the other side of my bed room windows (with out curtains) looks like

Aren't they beautiful.  The top cards are made by kiddos.  The far left is made by Isaac Young and the one's on the right are made by my new community group's triplets Wells, Ann Lawson, and Holland.

What a gift to receive so many birthday cards from all across the country.  Thank you for showing me such love I appreciate it.  Your love and kindness leaves me speechless for how I really feel.

Every night this week I have had something going on at my new Church it's called Red Mountain.  

Sunday night I went to a Ornament exchange which was so much fun

Monday got together with some girls for a mass cookie decorating party we seriously frosted cookies for almost 4 hours. It was so fun and hilarious.  And don't worry we had three delicious bottles of wine to keep us hydrated and to spread Christmas cheer. 

Last night was our Hymn Sing and it was so beautiful.  They had a table at the back with hot drinks and cookies which you could grab any time you wanted even during a hymn.  It was so neat children were running around some laughing some chasing each other and others crying.  And we just sang hymns while life happened around us.  It's so easy going at this church children no matter their state are not a bother mom's aren't rushing after their kids they just sit with ease and we all smile.  It was a neat evening we sang hymn after hymn telling the story of Jesus.  It gave me chills. In fact I feel this advent season has meant more to me than ever before.  I am in a state of longing deep longing for many things... 

a life, a job, a bed, a husband, hope, love, faith, relief, a home, comfort, passing a test, ....

It is a different holiday season I am not shopping for Christmas gifts, I am not packing a suitcase, I am not planning a big meal, I am not trimming a tree or doing tons of baking. So this holiday season the things that have matter the most have been words people have wrote, phone calls, hugs, and advent.

Come oh Long Expectant Jesus 

30 and thriving

Well I was able to get new wheels.  A man who is so kind in helping people with cars named Dick Bergam in Wycliffe sells cars to Missionaries and others for deals and he is sure reliable.  So after many conversations my parents and I decided it would be best for me to go to Texas to get a car.  My parents had miles on Delta so I was able to fly for free to Dallas. It was a quick visit but I got to see a lot of great friends and get to storage for a few more things.  It was nice to just have a car again.
I drove back to alabama a few days later with yet again another loaded car.


I continue to apply to jobs every day and try to use resource I have to get some where.  I did go in for a second interview at a youth home last friday and while it was good it just would be a hour drive to and from the job and it would be working with At-Risk youth.  And it would require taking on managing staff as well.  So it would be a lot of responsibility, but it would be a job!

 This past Saturday I got a chair!! meet my new piece of furniture, I got it off of Criaglist and it does have a slight smoke smell but hey I got it for $40.00 from this sweet family and I love it oh yah and having something to sit on.

 it's just my size my feet can touch the floor when i sit in it.

I was able to get this sweet gift due to family members giving to me so graciously this Christmas.

My 30th Birthday was actually a busy day.  I just joined a small group at my Church and they were having a brunch Sunday morning.  So I got to go and meet a few of the people. The leaders are this sweet couple who have 6 year old triplets and a 2 year old.  They kids all made me birthday cards which was so touching since they had never meet me.  And they have a tradition in their home that when it's your birthday you eat off a "It's your Special Day" plate.  So I ate my breakfast on the special plate.

After break fast we all just hung out for hours just talking.  I got to even jump on the trampoline with the kids and laugh and play we counted jumps and played follow the leader.  It felt great that even at 30 I can still enjoy life's young at heart moments.

Then there was a dessert, I was just thinking that we were having dessert. They came out with cupcakes and 30 candles I was so touched.  Beth and Adam my friends here had brought them over for me they even bought the candles.

the 0 is missing because their 2 year old little son Fletcher wanted to lick a candle!

So how great I had cupcakes ice cream, Mimosa's, coffee, and had birthday cards drawn for me.  It was a great start to my 30's.

I then came home and called some friends and family and opened a few gifts that friends had sent.

Here is my new scarf from my Auntie Linda and Uncle Steve I love it

I am honored and touched by many of who graciously and generously gave to me this year.  Some of you gave by your prayers, others by calls, by cards, and some with financial gifts that I feel totally unworthy of.  THank you I Thank you from the pits of my weary soul.  Thank you for giving me a ray of light a ray of Hope of believing when I can't seem to see any thing worth believing in.  I am blessed and gifted with you dear reader, with your time to read this blog, with your love for me and interest in my life.  Thank you for your gift of love and friendship to me.

I am forever grateful 

No curtains

So there are many things I do not have right now. But one is that I don't have curtains or blinds.  My bedroom windows are the one's I wish I had some sort of curtain or blinds on.
It would be nice since I don't have to get up early for anything to not have the sun shining in on me.
It would be nice to not have to always change in the bathroom.
It would just be nice to have curtains.

Today I realized that my small bathroom has turned into a sort of closet for me, and it's just annoying sometimes to have clothes hanging where I really need my hand towel hanging. But I figure the steam from taking hot showers has to help my clothes stay cleaner which is nice because I don't have a washer dryer.  Many apartments here don't come with washer dryers.  So I have been doing the laundry mat thing and in some ways it's nice but some times like when you just need to wash something right away it's kind of annoying.

I guess I am feeling kind of annoyed today.  I realized today that I have literally watched seasons change and I still don't have a real life.  I have a life in that I have moved somewhere, I have a life in that I have a church I go to, Friends to hang out with, but what I do......I still don't know.  I have watched people enjoy summer, I have seen kids go back to school.  I have watched the season's happen around me the stores decorating for Halloween to Christmas and I still have no life, no job.  Some people probably would envy me I mean I have nothing to do each day and holidays are no different to me than Tuesdays. My Saturdays from Thursday's are no different.  They have not really been that different for a long time. I am sure someday I will look back on this post and wish I had days filled with nothing to do but for now I am just ready to be in a routine and to be back in a world of work days.

Lamenting

I have never heard anyone lament from the pulpit but last night at church we had a time of lamenting and I just wanted to write it on my blog so I might remember this

Lord God, we long for the coming of your kingdom in Jesus Christ, our Lord. We lament before you the signs that your kingdom has not come in fullness. We lament signs of brokenness in the community of nations.

(Silence)
We lament that Christians are persecuted they profess the name of Jesus
(silence)
We lament the broken relationships that bring such pain to many we know
(silence)
We lament that many of our friends, family, and coworkers have chosen to ignore or disown the gospel of Christ
(silence)
We lament racism that lives in our hearts and plagues our community
(silence)
We lament the physical and emotional abuse of children and spouses in our homes
(silence)
With resolute hope, despite our sadness, we pray boldly as our savior has taught us

Our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtorss. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for and ever. Amen

Sweet Home Alabama

I have moved to Alabama.  A month ago....
It has been quite the interesting last few weeks. I kept meaning to blog each day about the drive the unpacking boxes and some other crazy Haps so hang on dear reader this is going to be a long one.

The night before my big move I hardly slept.  I ended up getting up at 3 a.m. and arrived into my new Chapter of life by 1:00 p.m. Crossing the state line I stopped at the visitation center . The welcoming sign for the state read Alabama " The Beautiful ".  I do hope this place will bring Beauty into my life.

October 30, 2011

Once I got in I started to unload my car and here is what my apartment began to look like.  I will say it was kind of weird to be back in the apartment that I had only looked at for a few min's and it was kind of hard to adjust to it but since then it has grown on me more each day.  

My friend Cheryl came over right away and helped me with a few boxes and brought me a beautiful bundle of yellow mums and a cookie and a cold bottled beverage. It was great to see a familiar face right away.

 I was only able to pack what I needed in my car and wasn't able to bring my bed.  I did have a air mattress so I started to blow the mattress up around 3 because I was super tired and wanted to lay down.  I had blown up my air mattress many times before with a hair dryer but I guess I forgot this time to make sure to press the cold air botton and I burned a hole in the mattress.  I laid on it trying to see if I could just manage to sleep on the floor because I was SO TIRED. I was talking to a friend on the phone and she encouraged me to go get another one so I could sleep on something. I then proceeded to try to find a target and got lost, went down a one way road the wrong way and then finally found a target.  I got a air mattress and a pump got back to the apartment and then opened the bed and the pump and realized I had bought a car pump.....ughh so after trying to figure out if I should get back in my car and exchange it I decided to try my car.  So here I was dragging my air bed to my car and laying it over the top of my car on the street.  I plugged in the pump and watched my bed inflate.  I then drug the mattress up the stairs threw it on the floor laid some blankets down and feel asleep.

The next day I decided to let my cats out on the lanai to enjoy the outside.  Then all the sudden I see them jump onto a landing between my neighbors balcony.  Then Kala my orange explorer decides to then jump up in someone's window and onto another Balcony. Basically she ended up at the farthest end of my apartment in some one else's space.  I didn't know what to do.  I watched her and called her but she just ignored me.  Then she realized she couldn't get back to me and I saw her jump to another balcony and she just starting meowing very loudly... and she pooped. 

I have not even been at this apartment complex for a day and already my cat has pooped on someone's property.  Then I remembered the maintenance guy lives on the property so I knocked on his door and he was able to let me into the balcony to get her. 

I wish that was the last odd and weird story 

October 31, 2011

   I then started to unpack some boxes and came across my dishes and it is just felt so good to use my dishes I had to stop and take a picture because just seeing my dishes made me smile. I have missed getting to use my things and it felt so good to see them and put them away.  The next day after being in Birmingham was halloween. That night I went over to a friend of her friends house and we walked through their beautifully decorated neighborhood and walked with the trick-or-treaters. My friend Cheryl filled up the back of her truck with hay and all the kids had a hay fight.  It was so hilarious to watch the kids oh and parents have one heck of a fight.

Next funny story.  I have felt like I have been camping.  I had no microwave and no working stove and I am sleeping on a air mattress.  So I had to get creative with what I could eat.  One day it was quite cold and all I wanted was a bowl of hot soup.  This would be a quick and easy meal with working stove, but my gas still had not been turned on yet.  Then I looked at my coffee maker and thought  hummmmmm..... I poured water into the top and put the can of soup into the coffee pot. Creative huh? But unfortunately it wasn't hot but it was a bowl of soup.

The following week a neighbor moving out gave me a desk, a old bench, a set of two drawers, a picnic basket, and a cool pot and vase.  That was a neat unexpected blessing.

The next weekend I drove with Cheryl to Orlando and I got to see good friends.  On the way down I saw these fields of white stuff.  I asked Cheryl what they were and she said it was cotton.  So we pulled over and I got to pick some cotton.  I really am in the deep south.

November 11, 2011

 Being in Orlando felt good.  It felt good to be back in a familiar place that held so much of me.  It was nice to drive and recognize my surroundings and see the faces of people that I love so dearly. I got to hang out with my friend Miranda that saturday.  They were going to be having a garage sale and were getting rid of a bunch of stuff they gave me a microwave, a printer, and a desk.  So we painted this desk together and I was able to bring it back and I am using it like vanity/ drawers.  Here is a picture of our creation we made together.

November 14, 2011

The next weekend I went to Atlanta to be in my dear friend Deborah May's wedding.  It was really neat because fall here is breath taking so the drive to Atlanta was nothing short then BEAUTIFUL.  It was only a 3 hour drive for me so a quick and easy trip.  It was a great weekend getting to see Deborah and her family.  I enjoy the friendships I have in my life and I deeply enjoy getting to connect with people over and over and in moments that matter.  It was a rich weekend and it felt good to be able to be with people that know me and to be apart of her life changing event.  I love you Deborah McCoy!

   

November 19, 2011

I was back in Birmingham and enjoyed a relaxing day just chilling.  I have been going to my friends Church called Red Mountain it's been neat it is different and I honestly feel that I am falling more in love with Liturgy and weekly communion.  They have their service in the evenings which is nice because you get to sabbath the morning.  The other great thing is I can walked to the church. It is literally 3 blocks away.  Went to church and was walking back and saw this guy up ahead walking and everyone in this neighborhood is super friendly so I said hi and he said nothing but I thought well maybe he is just having a bad day. Then as I approached my apartment I noticed a bunch of people outside I thought oh well maybe someone is having a party then I noticed they were all staring at these cars.  Then I looked closer there was a car up a electrical pole... wait a second.... that's my car up the electrical pole.  

Then this girl approached me and said is this your car I am sure my look of shock gave it away. She was on the phone with the police.  The neighbors all began to tell me what happened.  This guy was speeding and swerving down the road and then slammed right into my car. His car was banged up pretty hard and his air bags released.  They said they all ran out and saw him try to start up his car several times but then just got out and stumbled to the side walk and fled.  So the guy I walked by while walking home was the very guy who totaled my car.  I started to walk after him and my neighbor stopped me and told me don't go after him because you don't know how drunk and high or dangerous he is.  

Several people saw it happen and were able to give identification to the cops.  Then I gave the cops my information called my insurance company and walked back into my apartment now with out a car.  I have called the police several times and they still have not found the guy.  This guy drunk and driving totaled my car and now will not have to help me in any way what so ever

 November 20, 2011

By the way that is not my hub cap in the left picture but the actual metal what the tire rests on.

So I have been walking everywhere which was been good exercise and I have gotten to explore the city better on foot but it's been hard to be with out a car. I ended up getting the rental they had for me but I can only use it for 7 days so I wanted to wait to use till I absolutely needed to.  I went on monday to grab the rest of my belongings out of my car.  I will hopefully be getting a check in the mail to get a new one this next week. I am actually going to be flying to Texas to get a car because this guy at Wycliffe has one for the price I can pay right now with out a job.  I will then go to storage and get a few more things.

Ughh so the craziness of my life continues.

I still don't have a job I continue to apply to jobs everyday. I had a interview and did a viewing at a eating disorder clinic the first week I arrived but sadly I still do not have a job.  

so in closing out this super long post here is a picture of my kitties that though they cause me craziness and take up space on my twin size blow up mattress they are my cuddle buddies and I enjoy them.

Leaving Texas

My last week in Texas has been busy seeing people and getting things done.  Sometimes I can't believe I am really doing this.  I am really moving again.

This week I cleaned out the Van Rooy's Garage and Pantry.  It took me 9 hours each day but it was a nice way to make some extra cash before leaving.  Here are pictures of my completed work.

So while being in Texas I have been driving by this counseling center sign and have laughed each time so today I stopped and took a picture.  

It's a counseling Center Called Permanent Resolutions.... I wish going to counseling would cause or guaranty Permanent Resolutions... 

For weeks I have been brainstorming how I was going to pack my car for this trip.  After taking all day I finally have everything in my car that I planned on taking.  I think I did an amazing job.  

Leaving for a new chapter of life in the morning.

I am feeling excited and scared.

A place to call Home

So ... I am moving to Birmingham, Alabama October 30th.

I went out for a visit at the beginning of October and feel in love with the city.  It felt so good to be enjoying the company of good friends, enjoying my surroundings and finding a place to call home.

Yes we are all Counselors

 I have been to many cities and I would say if you have not been to Birmingham GO!

While in Birmingham I stayed with my dear friends Cheryl and Larry Ver Hoef.  If you have been following my blog I wrote about their wedding in April.  Cheryl went through my counseling program with me and she has left an impression on my life that I can't rub off nor do I want to even try.
Cheryl and Larry .... they are kind of odd in the way they love people.  Let me see if I can explain the oddness.
So Cheryl and Larry have a home with 3 bedrooms.  Want to know what they did with the other 2 rooms? They created a place to call home for me and my friend Elizabeth.  They literally call one room "Lani's Room" and the other room "Elizabeth's Room" WHO DOES THAT?  Honestly hearing her talk about preparing this room with me in mind was something I thought you don't get to enjoy on this side of heaven.

A fresh batch of Flowers to greet me each morning 

She made the curtains

"Lani's Room"

Isn't just Beautiful!

The other thing Cheryl and Larry do well is eating good delicious food and drinking incredibly great wine.  I feel like I could do a blog post just on the food alone. Everyday was a decadent feast. 

So while in Birmingham I looked at several apartments and the very last day I found one.  I walked in and felt instantly this is a place to call home. The landlord is a sweet old man who is going to give me the first month free of rent.  It is 5 min's away from Cheryl and Larry.  Here is my new place of residence.  Finally I have an address a place to unload my boxes for a while.  

The Bedroom 

The Kitchen

The Living Room

The Lanai/Porch

 I finally have an answer to two Questions. 

1. When are you moving? October 30, 2011

2. Where are you living? A cute quaint one  bedroom Apartment at Underwood Court

What I still don't have answer's for.

1. Where are you working?

2. Where are you practicing counseling?

3.  What do you do? 

Some days I am excited and hopeful for this new move and other days I am overcome with so much fear, terror and anxiety that I can't move, literally. 

 I get afraid that this move will not work out. 

 I Fear what still is not known.

I have been thinking the last couple days if 3 years ago some person would have walked up to me on the white sandy beaches of Hawaii and said " the next three years you will live in Florida, Texas, and..... ALABAMABA and you will live in those 3 states all within a matter of 6 months".  I would have either been tempted to give them my evilest eye or Laugh really hard with maybe a "Yea right! (wink) ok crazy person". 

I do have some interviews lined up the first week in November.  Here's to hoping that someday on this blog I can share I have a job, a routine, a LIFE again.

Thank you for journeying with me.