I kept telling myself that everything would come together in God’s timing. And … finally … it has!

I have moved into a house in Upper Arlington, less than five minutes walk away from the Curves club where I am working. The home is beautiful and I have the entire third floor to myself. I’m living with a family who just has an open room, and isn’t asking for any service from me. We’re going to try a one-month trial period, but I’m hoping and praying that this will be really it for me this year. There are two little girls in the family, and because I miss Taylor and Emily and Jessica and Brooke, I’m having fun getting to know them too! (Allen girls and Taylor, please know that I have FINALLY seen High School Musical 2. In my opinion it was not as good as the first one, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.)

Thanks for your prayers on this. So far, I couldn’t ask for a better arrangement!

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.