So here I am all snuggled into bed in my sister's guest room. I've been here for a week, and I think I am just now settling into this new phase of my ever-changing life. A couple things have changed since my last post. For one thing, I'm not working while I'm here. I had a job all lined up, then I thought maybe I should ask the Lord if He even wanted me to work this summer. He said no, confirmed His Word through a friend, and also gave me peace about the decision (which was kind of a hard one to swallow as I enjoy working and feel lazy when I'm not). Now that I'm here, I see that my time with my sister is a treasure, and I would have been anxious away at work with my hugely pregnant sister at home about to pop. By the way, for those of you who haven't seen my facebook pictures, my big sister is BEAUTIFUL!!! She is due in a couple weeks, but we have been asking the Lord to make it earlier, and I just don't know how much bigger that baby boy can get! :) It has been such an unspeakable joy to be here with my sister and feel my little nephew kicking around in her belly. My sister is a lovely little pregnant person. She is joyful and sweet, and we have laughed until we both cried. I loved my time in Tacoma, and the people there welcomed me into their community with open arms, but there is just something about being around family, the people who have known me since there was a me, that reminds me who I am. I kinda feel like I'm letting out a deep breath. The first few days here were busy with going to work with Angela, touring the national mall with a friend from Tacoma, and throwing Angela's baby shower. Since then, Ang and I have concentrated on getting the house ready for Elijah. She is entering her nesting phase, which means she feels every nook and cranny of this house needs tending to. :) I'm glad I'm able to be here so my pregnant sister doesn't go into labor from pushing a vacuum around.. not that my brother-in-law would let that happen.. he's been a sweet husband to her, and it's so fun to see him with his mouth squished up against her belly asking his son to kick his nose. :)
I went to Starbucks this afternoon and spent some time with the Lord while Angela was getting a massage (a gift from Ryan). :) I asked Him to meet me despite all the distraction bustling around me, and He did. I opened to Hosea 14, and He spoke to me of the idols that I run to, especially as I move from place to place. They are pretty, dead statues that I desperately fashion with my own hands because somewhere in me I don't believe my God. He says He is enough, and I say, "I know, but I made this just in case." My King tells my heart what my head knows.. that the sparkly idols I worship with my thoughts and strivings will fail me every time. His sure, strong voice speaks, "I am enough," and my tired hands fall limp at my side and rest in His. I wonder how long it will take me to learn that lesson... I think I'm learning it in parts. My God is a gentleman... He will not overwhelm me. He is my dad... He will not let me go astray.
It's late, so I'll go now. I'm leaving for Miami tomorrow to spend a few days on the beach with my girlfriends who I've known since 8th grade. They're like family, and I'm looking forward to laughing hard and catching up. Jesus, thank you for friends! Goodnight. :)~
