Wednesday, November 30, 2011

It's been awhile...

Yeah, I know, I know...it's been awhile.
I'm not real sure what it is, but I've just had a block lately.
Have been so busy balancing a few different things, that I find myself going & going and when I find time to sit down, I'm beat.
I really do want to make this something that I more intentionally do.
Not for anyone else (I'm not sure anyone else even really reads this anyways), but for me.
To clear some of the things swirling around in my head.

So, what's been going on with me lately?
Well, I'm still in the process of looking for a permanent position.
I'm still not sure if I know exactly what that is yet.
In the meantime, I have continued to nanny for a few different families, which has been enjoyable.
I've definitely found that I enjoy being around children & know that we can certainly impact future generations by what we say, how we act and what we do.
I've had some really great opportunities to travel with one family to NY, KY and will be going with them to Aspen, CO in Dec. Three places I've never been. I love the opportunity to see different parts of the world!
Another family has 2 parents that work so hard and have 3 children, one with special needs. I've felt God lay it on my heart to really step up & help this family, even without them knowing. I've tried to make myself very available for them & help out with household cleaning that I know they don't usually have time for.
It was such a good feeling to do it without seeking praise for it.
I think it's all been future prep to hopefully raising my own family someday.

I was also offered a seasonal position at REI in Brentwood, under 10 minutes from my home.
I've really enjoyed being back there. It truly is a great place to work. It's a fun environment to be in! I enjoy going to work and am happy to have the opportunity to work there.

Between those two positions, I'm just really having to balance and prioritize my time. I'm not always good at it, but I'm getting better at it!

I've become the Stretch Outreach Coordinator with our Young Adult community. I've loved working alongside our leader to help coordinate the different serving opportunities we can get involved with. We've also been able to dream up some other future opportunities. I absolutely love to be a part of a community  of people that have such a heart for serving and volunteering.

Another amazing thing that I'm so stoked about is the opportunity to TRAVEL TO UGANDA again next Summer to visit a close friend of mine who started up her own ministry there.. I'll definitely be sharing more information soon, as I will be looking for any donations, support & most importantly, prayers. We will be participating in some group fundraising as well, which will be exciting! The most amazing part about this trip is that the group I will be traveling with will all be a part of a project to build a Church while we are there. Stayed tuned...

Sometimes I'm just amazed at how God's answers our prayers. I have been wanting & desiring to go back to Africa for a few months now. Little did I know, this is how he would answer it. 

I've also been doing quite a bit of volunteering. I'm not sure why- but I truly enjoy it & if I could volunteer for a living, I would :) It just gives you such a sense of fulfillment and purpose, and each opportunity can certainly turn around and teach or help us, more than we are there to teach or help them. Some that are dear to me are The Bridge Ministry, which is a Homeless ministry that meets under a Bridge near downtown Nashville every Tuesday evening. Incredible ministry! I've also really enjoyed helping out with The Front Porch ministry, a ministry started by a husband & wife who felt the call to move to the inner city of East Nashville and start up a ministry to the families & children there. I also just signed up to be a part of our Notes & Cards Ministry at our church. I feel that I certainly am gifted in the area of sending cards and words of encouragement to others. So I will do it to glorify God in anyway I can :)


Other things, back home in WI, I'm working on selling my condo :Not going to lie- it's kind of bittersweet. I was uploading pictures to send to my Realtor and it naturally brought back memories for me. It was my 1st home. It is a beautiful place! If anyone or anyone you know of is looking to buy a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo in Waukesha, send me an e-mail: bmmikec16@hotmail.com! Thank you :)

Well, that in summary is what I've been up to. I miss all of you from back in home & I've truly enjoyed meeting all my new friends here in Nashville. I finally feel like I actually "belong" here, in TN, the Volunteer State!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas!!

XOXOXO