Last week was hard. In some ways, it was great: I really love my job at Curves, we got our insurance policy finalized, ordered some software, had a meaningful leadership team meeting and prayer time, and found out how to get involved with the Justice Revival.

However, despite all that, I was (sort of still am) feeling discouraged. It’s been <stops to count> six weeks, and I’m shocked when I count them up because it feels like at least seven, if not eight. I am starting to feel the strain of not having anywhere permanent to live. And everything except the clothes I need for a week is in my car with me. When I sit in the driver’s seat, there is literally no more room. My Curves schedule changes from day to day and week to week, so my overall schedule is still completely up in the air. I don’t own any of my own food, because I never know from one day to the next when I will be home to eat it. And eventually that wears on you.

Please hear me that I’m not complaining. God is providing for me: I have somewhere to sleep (I’m staying with my second cousins Dave and Terry Snyder, who have been WONDERFUL), I have food, I have enough money. But I don’t have a permanent home and I’m starting to get a little worried. What do you do when things don’t work out like you thought they would? Do you start looking for other options, or patiently wait the fulfillment of what you thought was an idea from God? And how do you decide what to do if you don’t “feel” strongly one direction or the other?

It’s entirely within the realm of possibility that one of the lessons I have to learn this year is to be content with God providing one week at a time. And learn to go where He directs, instead of being so worried about where “home” is. And just learn to be a little more laid back and less controlling. And He gives more grace — so far I’m doing surprisingly well. Those of you who know me well might not recognize the level of laid-back-ness that I am currently exhibiting … for the most part.

I’m sure that my ability to not completely freak out is due largely to the prayers and love from all of you reading this. Thanks for caring, and for praying for me. Please continue to pray that God will provide the right living situation, whatever that is.

I’m stranded.

Well, OK, so it’s really not as dramatic as all that. This morning I left Columbiana earlier than I had planned in an attempt to get back to Columbus before the big storm hit.

I was not successful. I am my mother’s daughter: I will not drive in the snow. I felt a little silly, because there were still so many people on the roads when I pulled off, but I just couldn’t do it.

So I’m comfortably settled at the Hawthorn Suites in Seville, Ohio (that’s just outside of Akron). I don’t have any responsibilities until Sunday morning (although, if the Weather Channel is right, I’m might not be dug out by then). So for now, I’m happy to be catching up on LOST, reading, napping, and maybe checking out that new movie rental feature on iTunes.

I got the job at Curves. I’m going to start on Monday, and the starting wage is also higher than I expected.

Now I have a lovely excuse to buy cute work-out clothes, and no excuse not to be in shape!

Still no definite housing, but I’m confident that it will happen exactly as it’s supposed to. This last month hasn’t always been easy, but it has all been GOOD. I’m always safe, I always have what I need, and more besides. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I have an entire year of GOOD things?

I spent the first three weeks in Columbus staying at Adam’s aunt and uncle’s home while they were on vacation in Florida. Although it was a little bit of a drive, it was perfect to have somewhere to go where I didn’t have to worry about figuring out new roommates on top of everything else.

However, they came home from vacation last Sunday and I’ve spent this week at my cousins’, Dave and Terry Snyder’s, home in Hilliard, on the west side of the city. Dave and Terry have been wonderful, especially when you consider that they’d never met me until two weeks ago! Dave reminds me so much of Uncle Bill, and I think that somehow the love of bad puns must run in the family. Terry is lovely, warm and welcoming, and has made me feel right at home. And my puppy-cousins Shelby and Katie have been fun too. Even tempered Shelby was my buddy pretty quickly. But crazy Katie will run at me, but if I pay any attention to her, she runs away again. I’ve been here for a week, but I think she’s still not sure what to think of me.

Dave and Terry have also been making as many connections as they can for me to find a permanent home. There are several possibilities at their church, and we are waiting to hear back. Next week I’m staying with mom’s family up in Columbiana, but the week after that, I didn’t know where I’ll be. However Dave and Terry have offered to have me back here for another week, at which time we’re feeling confident I will have somewhere to go.

I continue the quest for a part-time job as well. I’ve filled out at least four applications and have sent my resume twice. Today I have my first interview, with Curves, at 2 p.m. I filled out the application two weeks ago, and really liked the club and the assistant manager. It’s my first choice in terms of jobs, and so we’ll see what happens this afternoon.

On Tuesday of this week, the pastors from the Central Ohio section had their regular meeting in our theater. Adam had the opportunity to share our vision, and it was incredible to feel the support of 30 other pastors from a variety of ages and church styles. We spent a good chunk of the meeting in prayer, and the presence of God was palpable.

Adam did a wonderful job explaining our mission using a metaphor of “translation.” We hope to draw people to Continuum Church who have no faith background, which means we need a different way of explaining what we believe. Some of the language that immediately makes sense to us makes no sense to them. Really, if you’d never been to church, “There Is A Fountain of Blood” would be a truly disturbing phrase!

People get stories. And Jesus has the best story ever. And the story of good still triumphing when evil has done its worst is a story that everyone wants to hear. And that’s the story we want to tell.

So thank you, Pastors, for believing in what we are doing. Thanks for making room for another church so we can make room for more people in God’s Kingdom.