Currently Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth By Richard J. Foster see related

This weekend Peter is on a personal retreat...at this point in the weekend, I'm a little jealous as I have been trying to focus on studying for the IN counselor's licensure exam (I plan to take it in Dec). However, I was just watching Ocean's 11 for the umpteenth time, and seriously they wear the coolest suits in that movie!

Anyways, I tend to write on here when I have been anxious. But the past week I have found myself anxious again...about a number of things I suppose, a big one being finances. And I really despise that I worry about money. I don't want it to be that big of a deal. I can tell that I want to trust God, but I really want to be in control of this area...man, I just really want to organize my life in a way that means I am comfortable and not really needing God...but then, that defeats the purpose of faith. So, here I am...yet again learning to trust.

I had a great coffee date with a new friend this morning (I don't actually drink coffee, but I like hot chocolate a lot)...it was encouraging to have someone want to get to know the me a little deeper. I do thank God for a new friend. I believe still that focus on gratitude is one way to battle anxiety. So, I will keep practicing gratitude...

Currently 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life By Don Piper, Cecil Murphey see related

As I've been getting used to my new job, I realize how much I tend to base my identity or value in my work...especially since it seems to be where I experience a lot of spiritual attack, thoughts that I am not cut out for this work or that I'm not "something" enough. However, I do believe God has shaped me for a position like this, and I really enjoy it, as well as my colleagues and the working environment. So, maybe it's like these recent chapel speakers I've heard who talked about remembering the foundation of our identity, as well as putting focus on God rather than what we do for Him.

We continue to love our new church and feel so thankful for it. I am also grateful for making new friends there.

This week I'm way excited to go to the AACC conference (American Association of Christian Counselors). I'm going with Tammy, my mentor and friend. Last time I went with my mom, who is sad she cannot go. But if I can't go with her, there's no one I'd rather go with than Tammy. The cool thing about this conference is the spiritual nourishment in addition to academic or professional nourishment.

I have now worked a week at my new job at Grace, and while I am pooped, I am enjoying it immensely. I can still get a little nervous about meeting with all the new students...ya know, will we get along? will they like me? etc...it can be like the first day of high school all over again, except I don't have to figure out where to sit at lunch (yay!). I love the team of colleagues with whom I get to work, too. There is one main class with which I work (since I meet with the students weekly outside of that class), and our first class is today.

Peter and I are adjusting to the new schedule...it's quite a shift to go from summer break to both of us working and Peter being in school. I think we like it! Plus, we love our new church, and that's way exciting to us!

Also, right now I'm listening to the song "Aslan" by Kendall Payne. Nice and chill with C.S. Lewisian thoughts on God.

Currently The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible By Scot McKnight see related

Here I am a week later, and now I'm really excited about change...I don't think I'm fickle, rather just growing. Peter's job and grad class started yesterday, and my job starts tomorrow. I'm excited to be involved with an amazing team of coworkers, motivated students, and a program I wholeheartedly endorse, where God is allowed to work in the process.

I'm grateful for the excitement and change of heart from last week. It's such a contrast to the past two years when school would start for Peter, and life felt stressful for at least a month. Yay for less stress.

Also, I'm going to be an aunt! My sister is pregnant for the first time, and we're all excited.

Currently Greatest Hits By Journey see related

I thought it wouldn't happen...that I was done being anxious with change...but here I am again. It's not as bad as sometimes in the past, and the changes don't seem as big as having just moved halfway across the country. It's mainly about entering this next phase of the move: working and school for Peter. As I have talked to God about it (and some with Peter), it seems so much of it boils down to fear of the unknown. We don't know what these new jobs will be like for us, and I don't know what life will be like for our marriage with Peter in school. I don't like the process of change because it's uncomfortable...what if I don't like how things turn out after adjustments are made? Too many what if's and too many things that are really self-centered.

My friend Aubrey has a blog where she has been doing a "gratefulness series." She said that it has helped her in her anxiousness, and that makes a lot of sense. Being grateful takes the focus off of me and puts it back on God, not what isn't happening or might happen, but what is happening.

Today I am grateful for a new church family. I have felt homeless when it comes to church for a couple years now, and this new church is a gift from God, just in the right time.