Stealing blogs again :)

I'm not feeling terribly creative today (it was a draining day at work), so I'm going to steal a blog idea from Greta again!

1. A friend who has blessed me:
Amanda! I love the fact that my best friend is also my cousin...she knows everything about me, but she has to love me because we're family :) Seriously though, I love looking back at the growth of our friendship, and seeing how even miles and time zones haven't damaged it!

2. An unexpected gift:
Hmmm, having moved somewhere new, I haven't really received many "gifts" lately. I guess my most pleasant surprises lately have been letters and phone calls from friends and family.

3. A kind word shared with me recently:
I've got two of them actually. I got an email this week that said I was making a difference in my job, and then my boss told me today as I was leaving that I did a good job today. After the stressful day we all had, those were great words to hear.

4. Something that makes me stop and praise God:
His constant provision (sorry, had to steal it Greta!). It's funny to me how much I worry, because God has ALWAYS provided for me, even if it's in ways I would have never chosen.

5. Something I'm looking forward to:
Going to Florida for vacation with Amanda next month...YAY!

6. A particular part of me I'm pleased with:
Yeah, I'm going to have to get back with you on that one.

7. Something in my life that I wanted but never expected:
When I was younger, I never imagined that I could be a writer and make a living. I certainly never thought I'd be working for such an incredible organization where I feel like I'm truly making a difference.

8. A place that moved/moves me:
I'm goign to have to agree with Greta again: Camp Little Cross Roads, Lowesville, VA. I accepted Christ on a squeaky bunk there, and met two of my closest friends there, Shaaron and Greta.

9. One thing/person that always makes me smile:
When little kids make up jokes

10. Most recent "love note" from God:
Actually, it was a blog that Greta wrote about how single women can still live out our maternal instincts. One of my fears is that I will never have children. God word's on Greta's blog reminded me that his plan is perfect. He gave me maternal instincts for a reason, even if it may not be the reason I expected.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but feel free to steal this blog idea! I did!

Books Books Books!

I love it when people tag me on their blogs. Then, I don't have to be creative about blogging, I just copy other people's idea! And a blog about books, no less. I love this!

1. One book that changed your life:
Charlotte's Web--not because it's necessarily a life-changing book, but because it instilled this great love of reading in me that has completely impacted my life

2. One book you've read more than once:
Little Women--I read it every year. Come on, it's a GREAT book

3. One book you'd want on a deserted island:
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton (such a WONDERFUL bok!)

4. One book that made you laugh:
Where the Sidewalk Ends, or any other Shel Silverstein book

5. One book that made you cry (or feel really sad):
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

6. One book that you wish had been written:
Telling Secrets by Fredrick Buechner

7. One book that you wish had never been written:
anything by Joel Osteen

8. One book you're currently reading:
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

9. One book you've been meaning to read:
Velvet Jesus by Rob Bell

The Great Church Hunt, Part 2

I've decided that the absolute hardest thing about moving to a new town is finding a church. At least, that's the case for me. Coming to Colorado has been wonderful. Despite my fears, I've never doubted that this is where God wants me. But it's hard. This is the first time that, week after week I've sat alone in church. And felt sorry for myself. And left in tears because I'm so frustrated.

It's not that I haven't found churches that I like. As a matter of fact, I've pretty much decided on one that I would like to get more involved in. But it's still hard (I know, I know, who said it would be easy.) But take last Sunday for example. You know, all I wanted was for someone to invite me to lunch. I even prayed for it. I just needed a friendly face, someone who would smile at me and say, hey, you're new in town, join us for lunch. And you know, the pastor even mentioned it in his sermon (not taking ME to lunch, necessarily, but he talked briefly about the church being a community, invite someone to lunch, blah blah.)

So, after church I just kind of meander around, taking my time to leave. Surely, someone will ask me to lunch. God ordained it. But as the minutes crept by, I felt more and more alone. I drew my Bible to my chest like a shield...from what, I'm not sure. I walked slowly to my car...someone? anyone?

But it didn't happen. So I sat in my car and cried like a baby. Big, fat, crocodile tears. And I felt sorry for myself. And when I got to my apartment I stomped up the stairs and slammed my door and ate chocolate ice cream. Because I didn't feel like dealing with it. I didn't feel like wondering why. I just felt like feeling sorry for myself, and wallowing in my pity for a while. Healthy? Probabaly not. But I did it anyway.

So I'll try again this Sunday. And I'll pray again for some kind of fellowship, friendship, some kind of ship. (Please, read that carefully, I said shiP!) And we'll see how this week goes.