Reminders...

We all need reminders sometimes right? Like a list for the grocery store, a phone call, a post it on your mirror. Today Jesus reminded me that he has me here for a reason. I have days when I think to myself, "Why am I here? I have friends in GA, family in AL, why am I here in San Diego?" Well, I prayerfully lifted up every worry and concern months and months prior to moving my life to the west coast. I may question why Jesus has ME here right now but I do know that I am here for a reason because He has provided for me... from the big things to the smallest things. Elevate is striving to make the name of Jesus famous and I am very thankful to be a part of this team and to serve Jesus out here, making myself available to the things Jesus wants to accomplish in the lives of these beautiful yet hollow people. We attended The Flood this morning. It was great. The Pat Little Band led and the music was incredible. The speaker kept my attention the WHOLE time. Honestly....(This is the second time that I have been able to pay attention the whole time since we moved to San Diego!) God just reminded me of his love for me. His love that he would like for me to show these people. To wrap them up in it and embrace them. To address the hurt in their lives and let them know that I care but I hardly care compared to how much the Creator of this universe cares. :)

Let me tell you one more thing...
I have no friends in San Diego. I know... you're thinking, "Boo hoo, get over it." Well, I am an army brat. I made several moves during the course of my life and everywhere I went I made friends instantly. Friends that I keep in touch with to this day. So, being here 3 months now and not having a single friend is utterly DEPRESSING. haha. I am so thankful for my current friends that are now 2,000 miles away. I love them deeply and miss them terribly but I can't hang out with them here, or spend the night with them, or eat dinner with them! Unless, of course they come see me. HINT HINT. So what I'm trying to say is, I NEED FRIENDS. I have been desperately crying out to God for friends. Friends of all kinds. Maybe, you could pray for friends for me. haha. I think I know the problem... I am not in college. I am a nanny. I brought my only church family with me from Georgia. So I have no social scene to even potentially meet anyone. Not that my Elevate team is not good enough or we aren't friends, it would just be nice to have some friends from San Diego. I am looking into gettin plugged into a college community group with The Flood or with City Christian Church. Maybe that is the beginning of something... I sure hope so.

Now, that I have completely been transparent and made myself look like the biggest loser EVER I want to leave you with some verses that have been dear to my heart the past week.

Colossians 4:2-6
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Friday nights...

Back in the day I used to live for the weekends.... now the only thing good about the weekend is sleeping in on Saturday. I believe that one day the weekends will be fun and exciting again but they aren't there quite yet. Everyone was in LA tonight. I had to work today so I stayed in SD. I almost stayed at the complex but instead I went to Point Loma. Point Loma is my favorite place in San Diego. All it is is water, cliffs, and rocks. So there I was sitting on the edge of a cliff. Waves crashing, sun setting. Pretty perfect. (So basically weekends ARE good just different.) I've never been to Point Loma when there is a crowd, or tourists or people worried about worldly things. They surf, catch the sunset and chill. It is probably the most beautiful place I've ever seen and these people are so laid back and appreciative of the beauty yet they don't know who to thank. They take in everything around them with out acknowledging that their Creator is fighting for them and pursuing them daily. I don't understand how such a breath taking city can be so blinded to the things of Jesus. He wants us. He really does. He wants our overpacked schedules. Our weaknesses, strengths, talents, failures, time, praise. He wants it all. But what we have is completely enough. I have to remind myself of this everyday.

My job gets better every day. I know now that Holly appreciates and is pleased with the work I do for her. We have formed a friendship. I really enjoy it now. I mean I'd be lying if I said everyday is just peachy because with a 4 year old and 10 month old twin girls things are bound to get crazy at times :)

Speaking of kids. Taylor is the coolest 5th grader ever and Cade is holding it down in the 1st grade. I talked to them the other night and they just lit up my heart! Taylor asked me what colleges were in San Diego. He told me about his classes. His strong subjects and his weak subjects. He did impressions of my mom, his mom and Maw Maw. It was hilarious. Cade informed me he got a warning at school for playing in the hall. Not surprising. That child is always entertaining someone. :)

Alone time is good. Silence with Jesus is better. Beauty is all around you. Open your eyes. Love people like Jesus does. No matter how they smell, their status, color, or attitude. Everyone has a story. You could introduce them to the Hero their story needs....

SDPD

Yep, my first encounter with the law in California. Not pleasant. Friday morning I called my mom back while I was on my way to work. (She called me at 5 o clock CA time wantin to talk and I sleep til 6.) So, yeah, I called her back and as I'm driving I look in my rear view just to see 2 motorcycle cops. Lights and all. DANG. I thought, "Ok, I have an Alabama tag and a Georgia license, surely he will just warn me because I'm from the boonies." Nope, all he said was here is your citation, directions are on the back. DOO DOO on him. I was completely in the wrong so I'll take responsibility and take care of it-I just hope it isn't major. The main thing is the speed limit was 65 and would you believe I was going 65? The only thing he pulled me over for was my phone!! I will be purchasing a hands free device soon! Other than that it's been a great weekend. We had church on the beach this morning with our team and a mission team from SC and we're cookin out at the park tonight. I just laid out by the pool for a couple of hours to revamp my tan. It worked. Last night Susan's sister cooked us real mexican food and it was delicious. This week should be great. I'm very thankful for Washington Avenue Baptist and their willingness to come and serve San Diego with us :)