Normal Life?

Having past the two-week mark without travel for the first time since the beginning of August, it finally feels like I'm gaining some sense of normalcy in my life. I'm beggining to settle into my new role as staff member here, Discipleship Training School preperations are well under way, and I'm starting to develop friendships in the Central Coast. Although I am usually quite comfortable with change, this time has been very challenging for me. This is the first time I have made such a major move independantly. All the expected changes associated with such a move, including building relationships, getting to know the area, finding a home, a car, a church etc. have led me to a place where I realize my need for God in such a different way than I ever have experienced before. The adjustment to living with a faith-based income has also been very different. Altogether, I am finding myself in a season that is both difficult, yet necessary.
I want to communicate honestly with you, and to do so, I must be transparent about how I am presently feeling. Please do not misunderstand me, I am incredibly happy, thankful, and blessed to be here. I am 100% confident that I am in God's will, and that I am walking in obedience with the call He has placed on my life. But, as we all know, even when we are walking with God, it does not mean that we don't go through periods in our lives that are difficult. It simply means that we must cling harder and stronger to our Heavenly Father who loves us, and who is walking with us through every season.
That being said, this is a season in my life where God has been showing me new things. Being a very relational individual, I have found it challenging to move to a place where I know very few people and where I have no church community. I have often felt lonely as a result of this. This loneliness, rather than isolate me, has drawn me closer to Jesus as a friend. (John 15:15)
Another struggle has been the fact that we still have not found a place to stay in or near Pismo Beach. Although we are actively looking and have applied at a few places, our attempts have been unsucessful. This can also be said about my search for a vehicle. Although I have been looking in several different places, the right vehicle has not presented itself. This has at times gotten rather discouraging. When I sense those feelings arise, it has been a challenge to remember who I am serving, and how he knows all my needs. (Matthew 6:25-34)
These are just a few of the things that God has been showing me, and in a sense I feel like God has been waiting to refine me in these areas. It has taken bringing me to a place where I can't fill all my extra time with friends, entertainment, and busy-ness. He has literally pruned (John 15:2) those things in my life that have gotten in the way of more fruit to grow.
Friends, I ask you to please keep me in prayer as God continues to refine me, and prune me into the woman of God he wants me to be. I desire to seek nothing more than Jesus.
- That I would continue to cling harder to Jesus to meet my needs.
- For wisdom, discernment and open doors in finding a house and a car.
- For preperation for coming home at Christmas.
- For the upcoming DTS preperations, staff, and students.