I know it has been forever and a day since I’ve blogged. The loneliness and depression that lasted from November to March has now passed because God blessed me with a 15-day vacation and retreat to be with and be loved by my family and close friends in the South in March. My lack of work also passed as of March. FINALLY, God opened up the doors for me then to work 30-40 hour weeks with the census as a Partnership Assistant. As of this week, I have begun a new job as a Crew Leader Assistant (my first ever promotion) during the enumeration phase of the 2010 Census.
Since the last time I wrote, I have continued to wrestle with spiritually related issues and still have many unanswered questions. I still desire community and would ultimately like to live close to those in my church so that they can more naturally and spontaneously help me grow spiritually. This week, after MONTHS of wrestling and praying, I have peace about two spiritual decisions. The first is that I should pursue community with those living in Midtown East rather than the Upper East Side. In the year since I first became a part of the UES body, those closest to me are no longer in the UES and it is no longer very life giving; those friends that I’m closest too and accountable with are now either in ME or Long Island City. I’m a little sad about this as it means I’m choosing one group of people over another, but again, I have peace about this and Jesus only invested deeply when alive in 12 apostles. Secondly, of the five or so volunteer opportunities still open to me (the others have rejected me since I last blogged), I am going to only continue to pursue the United Nations World Vision Intern position through MVS that would begin in January 2011; I badly want this position for what it could mean later in life that I desire, for the prestige, to serve my NYC neighbors, and because it would provide me with the opportunity to live with friends in a great location in Midtown East that I am already naturally, increasingly becoming close to. So, though I’ve only been here for four months, yes, I’m already looking to move from The Bronx. I will continue to prayer walk for the people and the area however.Aside from what’s above, I am also continuing to apply for new teaching and service-oriented jobs and grad school. I would tremendously appreciate everyone’s prayers for clarity and for the right door to be obvious. I have also come to truly believe no matter where I live or what I do vocationally that my life is to be about loving others well, service, and missions. I want to bring the Gospel to others with my life every day wherever I may be! I truly have grown so much personally and spiritually here more than ever and see my giftings being used to the full here. I believe that will continue. Though a definite trial by fire most of the time, I am DEEPLY thankful to live and love others here!
