Don't lose faith

I have amazing friends and coworkers here. As I'm preparing to move to Switzerland the people at my coffee shop and nothing but supportive. One of my regulars gave me a rather sizable donation today. I am so grateful to him! I am more than appreciative for that. Another regular told me I was an inspiration. My coworkers and many of my regulars signed a big poster for me that I am going to bring with me to Geneva to remember all the wonderful people here. When other people love us so openly and genuinely we get a small glimpse of God's love. Some of my friends from Church gave me suitcases! I am so loved. God is so generous and amazing! Thank You!!!

What's amazing is that many of my coworkers are also people of faith. (see my previous blog ) One of my coworkers wrote on my big, poster-sized card that as long I don't lose my faith I will be successful. He is right. As long I remember that God is going to provide for me, as my other coworkers constantly remind me, I cannot fail. I also read my horoscope today. I don't give them much sway. However, today's was very fitting. As another one of my coworkers and friends tells me often, I cannot be lazy. I cannot hold back anymore. That is what my horoscope is telling me. I have to just take that leap into the unknown and have trust and faith that God will provide for me more abundantly than I can imagine. Which God has already done for me, but I am still uncertain about this leap, about how much God will provide this time. Monetarily, I'm doing better than I thought I would be. I have no reason to worry, but I still do. That is the way of life. I am going to try not to worry.

Tomorrow I'll post some more thoughts on Roman's. I'd like to do the whole book before the end of Lent, but somehow I doubt that will happen. Maybe I'll keep on doing it after Lent. I have four full days left in the United States!

Day Three

It has now been more than 48 hours since I officially accepted the position as Communications Intern. It has been an eventful 48 hours.

Yesterday morning I met with Fr. Jeff Walker from my Church here in Austin, St. James' Episcopal. The meeting with him was a very relaxing, informative time. Since I am also gainfully employed, I had to work that afternoon. Luckily, I got off a little early so I am now sending some more emails and I just sent a mass email that will ask if people want to receive letters of support. My Dad has been very helpful. He made me a few spreadsheets. (If you know my Dad you know that he enjoyed that immensely!)

Today has been a good day so far. I worked this morning. I enjoy working in the mornings more than any other time of day. Early in the morning, giving people their coffee, making their day a little better, knowing what each person drinks so that I can get to the important task of talking to them rather than at them, joking with coworkers, enjoying the room behind the counter and having mini-dance parties to Miles Davis. My morning.

A few minutes ago I sent out a mass email to everyone I thought might possibly theoretically maybe be interested in knowing what I am doing now. If you got this email, yay! If you did not, please let me know. I will post it here too - just to make sure everyone can read it.

I did yoga today. A wonderful friend of mine here came and had coffee with me after work and then we did yoga. I am going to try and stay sane while I am preparing to move abroad and raise more money than I have ever seen by doing yoga on a regular basis. (thank Liz for today and thanks Anna for inspiring my love of yoga)

Today has been good. I am finally beginning to believe that I will be moving to Geneva is February. It still seems like a dream to me sometimes. A very wonderful dream. I pray that I will keep on dreaming.

An inauspicious beginning

Today I had a few things on my schedule: phone interview, check, lunch with my aunt and uncle, check, last minute Christmas shopping, check, make dinner for my Aunt, Uncle, and their kids, check, work Christmas party, not-yet-checked. I did not have a life changing decision on my to do list today. Yet, that is exactly what happened today. After today my life will be different. I am now planning for a different future than I was planning for yesterday.

I am (will be?) the Communications Intern with the World Student Christian Federation. (WSCF)

In February, I will be moving across our island home to a country I have never been, to begin a job that I am sure will change me. I am going to Geneva, Switzerland. I do not know what I will be doing; I do not know with whom I will be working; I do not know where I will live; I do not know how I will be paid. I do know that this is where I need to be right now. I do know that as I take this step into the unknown there will be the support that I need. I do know that I am making a move toward the infinite. I do know that my life is taking this path and not that path.

Now that I have made this unplanned for decision I need to make many other decisions. In the coming weeks and months I will try and update this blog. I hope that this blog can be a way that I can keep in touch with old friends, perhaps make new ones and generally share what is going on in my life. As I prepare to go to Geneva I am going to need help. I will shortly share with you my exact fund raising needs. Although this job is where I need to be; it does not come with any sort of benefits package. I am responsible for raising the money necessary for me to live in Geneva for the next year. I am planning to raise between $20,000 and $30,000 USD in the next few months. If you think you can help me with this in any way (and non-monetary support such as prayer or winter clothing or an old computer or a plane ticket or anything you think I might need) please, please email me or leave a comment here. As I said earlier, I will update this in a few days with more detailed information as to how you can donate to me and what exactly I need.

Today was not the day I planned for; today was the day I received. I am glad of it.