Goodbyes are never fun

Leaving Seattle was more difficult than leaving SB…I think because there were some major people that were a huge part of my life the last two years in which I invested and they invested in my life and the season that I was in. Never would I have thought that I would end up in counseling but I would not have changed that time for anything. It was painful, but so worth it in the end. I will write more about that some other time, but T is a person that I will miss dearly. There are so many people that I consider dear to my heart, but there are several people that have changed me more than they will ever know or words can express. I had to say goodbye to a two wonderful women early Mary and PJ as they were heading to Uganda for a mission trip. Mary was the first person that I met at the City Church and has walked with me throughout the last two years, encouraging me, challenging me, and spurring me on. She is a treasure from Heaven and has the biggest heart for the Church and kids. I know that kids love me…but I can’t compete with Mary’s cookies that she gives the kids  I am going to miss Mary and her love for Nordstrom. PJ knows her calling that God has placed on her life and walks in that anointing and purpose. I have seen other women in ministry but she just has something special that makes me so excited and my Spirit say “YES” and “AMEN” for the calling that God has for His daughters. Worship will be different without hearing PJ in the background and getting “to hug her neck” as she always would say. My bible study ladies were such a blessing last year. It was such an honor to lead with Erin and was such a blessing to have them be a part of my life and that they would let us be a part of theirs. The time with them in and outside of church are sweet memories of Seattle and I cannot thank them enough for their open arms and hearts. There were also three other ladies that have brought me so much laughter in my life,Tracy, Stevey and Deniz. The time spent with you…oh my goodness I think you guys may have held the world’s record for making May cry…the good kind of crying from laughing so hard! Thank you for the memories chicas, heart you! Another person…who I will remain nameless but you know who you are... has changed my life forever! The walks at Greenlake, the laughs, and sweet, sweet conversations are something that I will treasure forever. You are someone that makes God smile from ear to ear, and melts my heart with you and your family. You have taught me so much about Jesus, contending for all that God has for you, and walking in the destiny that God has. I love you from the bottom of my heart and know that the best are yet ahead. You better keep me updated on your life or I will have to come beat you up ! All of these people, thank you for teaching me transparency and a greater love of Christ that I would not have gotten to know without you. Thank you for opening your arms and embracing me…all of me…including my crazy side! I love you guys so much and know that there will always be a place to stay if you make it to Cape Town.

In His Grips
May

Africa..my homeland

There is so much to update for everyone. I guess I will start with the question that most people are still wondering…What, huh, what, how are you going to Africa! It actually started in May when an HR person I was working with in Cape Town told me that there was an open position available. I told her to not tempt me, and the next 10 minutes went from there is an opening to “we would be willing to consider getting you a work permit if you are serious.” I was stunned and told them that I would need some time to think about…and pray. I had thought that it might be a possibility, but was thinking it would be years down the road if I stayed with Amazon. Thinking about the opportunity seemed like a no brainer. I would get the chance to see Africa, a chance to be promoted in Amazon, and have international experience under my belt. After taking some time to pray, think, and seek advice from some dear people, I decided to open the door and see where it would take me. For those of you that have been with me since college days, there was a time that I was attempting to go to China and everything fell through. So I knew that if God didn’t want me to go, He would close the door somehow. Two months later, I was finally offered the job and the work permit was requested. I was going to AFRICA! Throughout the process, I kept asking God for more confirmation even though I knew I was suppose to go…but by His grace and goodness He always came through. Some examples include going to a bible study and we were discussing “risks” and this friend said “that everyone’s thought of risk is different and for you going to Africa probably wouldn’t be a risk.” I asked why Africa and not Asia or Australia and the response was I just see you in Africa. I hadn’t discussed the job offer at this bible study yet. Overwhelming support from friends that I thought would object to this idea, the support of co-workers and bosses were another. When I told my Dad, his response was “well, you have always wanted to go to Africa. Ever since you were a kid.” Really? I don’t remember that. Working out the details of selling all my stuff and little money details like Verizon not charging me the fee for dropping service early and my landlord telling me that I didn’t have to clean my place! What? Really? Sweet! Even on the plane over to Africa this week was another confirmation. I started freaking out on the plane and doubting if this was really happening and if I was supposed to be doing this…what happens?...I had all three seats from New York to Dubai for myself and was upgraded to Business class from Dubai to Cape Town…Really?? It was just the Lord reminding me…calm down, I have prepared your comings and goings…chill. I will take care of you. Back in Santa Barbara, there is this Uganda Children’s choir that came to the church every year. There is a song that has stuck in my head all these years and I would see it now and then not realizing what it really meant.. “Africa…my homeland….Uganda…” and I don’t know the rest, haha.

Hearting City Church more and more

I work with the children ministry a least a couple times a month, and they truly have been a blessing in my life and teaching so much in this time. There is one adorable kid who I could literally squeeze all day long because that smile on this kid's face makes me melt! I asked this kid if I could get a hug and he runs over and lays a juicy kiss right on my lips and steps back and has the biggest smile, oh my! Each kid has such different personality and it just puts me in awe of God. We have been learning how "Jesus is our friend" and have been building off of a storyboard the last month or so. In one story it talks about Mark 5 where Jesus heals a little girl. We then did this activity where the kids lay down and then will sit up and say "I'm not sick, I'm feeling fine, Jesus is a friend of mine." When I read the activity I thought it was quite silly but went ahead and did it, to my surprise the kids loved it and wanted to do it multiple times over. I was shocked...and the weeks following when we would review that story, the kids would repeat the line from the activity. I have never had that many 2-5 year olds remember a story like that....guess that teaches me that the silliest things can actually be the most meaningful in kids.
I have been helping lead a table at our Ladies Bible Studies that happen on Wednesday nights. Each week I get to spend with them is such a blessing and I leave so stoked and excited to hear all that God has and is doing in their lives. Their testimonies, honestly, vulnerability, and openness has been ministering me so much in the season that I am in. I am honored that God has allowed me to stand with them and see them run this race being able to shout from the side lines and sometimes with them that they can and are able to finish this race, to pray and intercede, to love and spend time with them. So thankful and cherish all the random times we all can get together whether it is on Wed. nights or a fun nights with dessert and a girly movie. Jesus my heart is overflowing with what you have given me in this time in Seattle. Not only for letting me pour into this kids and women, but how you are changing me more than I could have imagined.

Transparency and Vulnerability

Stepping into a new season can be the most exciting thing or the most frightening thing...but this season that God is bringing me into is both. God is speaking about transparency and vulnerability and are you willing to do this for me? For your healing, for your wholeness, for the ministry that you are called to, and for my glory, are you willing May? I have been such a private person in which you had to be given the keys in order to access certain parts of my heart and life. What would it be like if I was an open book? What would I discover about myself and what would I discover about other people? Would friendships be more real, my spirit feel more free, and life be more memorable, enjoyable, and fulfilling? To God's question, I answer and say to God the lover of my soul, my redeemer, my healer, my everything- If you want me to...YES.
I came upon this song by Ginny Owens and it has ministered deeply to my soul....Yes God if you want me to, I will walk through the valley, I will walk through the fire if you want me to, If it will bring healing to my soul, if it will break the generational cycles and so that my future husband can have all of me and as whole as you created me to. So that my children can have the life and Mom that they deserve, YES Jesus I will!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q8pWgDsv1E&feature=related

Blessing, more details on this journey to come soon :)

Wow it has been a long time since I have updated. If anyone is even reading this, please forgive me. Since my last posting, I have gotten to travel a bit around Washington and Vancouver, Canada. Below are some highlights

Jason Castro Concert and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver

2010 Olympics and Museum of Glass in Tacoma

Dinner with Amazon co-workers and Tulip Festival

Tulip Festival

Trains

Samuel Lomelino, this is for you! I was walking through the Seattle Center the other night and they have this gigantic train set up. The trains go through a town during the Christmas season. It makes train noises and everything! Made me think of you because I know how much you like trains. I love you and miss you so much!

December Blues

December has been a challenging month for me. This was the first time that I really missed friends and familiar faces. As I have moved into my new place, the realization that the friends I had in Santa Barbara or close by to help me pick out furniture and make decisions weren't so close in distance this time. Andrea and Jen V. were a huge part of that season when I first moved into my own place back in Santa Barbara. Andrea helped me test sofas by jumping on them, stayed at the house until the cable guy came and furniture movers came, and screwed my dining room table and chairs together (that took effort uh Andrea!) Jen V inspired the papason that I now can not live without and they both agreed or disagreed with the things I wanted to buy to make sure my place looked good. Without Andrea and Jen V, I felt kinda lost, lonely, and so very indecisive about what to buy. I wanted to set up cable but I work full time and therefore had to wait 2 weeks for the installation to happen. I know it was only 2 weeks, but 2 weeks without facebook and the internet felt like much longer! I have also been missing the Lomelino family a bunch! I missed the ability to pop over to their house, see the wonderful kids, and have Holly convict me on how unhealthy I am eating and what I can do to change it. I have been wanting to just go to their house with a bag full of groceries and see what we can blend in her magical blender...
Although I have been a little down, God continues to encourage me and remind me that I am suppose to be here in Seattle. I got a card from Lily Reeves (one of my old pastors kids) and a video from Jason and Samuel (their 4 yr. old child) telling me how much they love me. Thank you Jesus for using these wonderful kids to lift my spirits! When I finally found the furniture that I wanted to get, instead of mobbing around I would just bite the bullet and run. I didn't want to pay $100 for delivery since its only 2 miles away from my apt. so I rented a uhaul. I decided that I would just pick up the furniture and believe in faith that when I got to my apartment some guys would be walking down the street would be willing to help me move my stuff in. I know it sounds kinda crazy, but I don't really know anyone yet or anyone with a truck for that matter. It completely worked out! When I picked up the dining room table at goodwill, one of the guys helped me unscrew the legs so that I would be able to get it through my door. After I picked up the sofa and got to the apt. there were two guys at the stairs and asked if I needed help! They moved my table, 4 chairs, and a sofa into my place. Thank you Jesus! I was in disbelief, but God just reminded me how he is watching out for me and will provide. I even got 50% off of a brand new couch! Other things that have happened this month is that my old college roommate from the IV ministry days visited me and told me that she was moving up her in January. I was leaping for joy at this news! I have met some sweet girls at the church finally, spend xmas eve with the pastors and got to spend xmas day with a family who have 3 girls under the age of 4. Not that the Lomelinos could ever be replaced, but the girls are so cute! I could see one of them hooking up with Samuel in the future, haha. The kids have been a refreshment to my soul.
Well know that I have been thinking, praying, and missing you guys back to SB. MP I know you can do it, it will be challenging, but I know you can. Meal, I do miss you. I love you dearly. Porters, I can't wait to catch up with you guys some time soon. Aya, you gotta come visit and eat sushi on the roundy things, it is awesome! Fort, I'm always only a phone call away.