Saying Grace: (Graceful Things Times Two)

"Saying Grace"

So this week, I want to use 5 Graceful Things to "say grace" for what I am thankful for in honor of Thanksgiving. And with a double serving! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

#1: The Fremont House

#2: A lovely neighborhood cat to love on (Pippie)

#3: My wonderful job as a Barista at The Coffee Ethic with awesome co-workers, boss, and customers

#4: The ability and privilege to learn even when I forget sometimes

# 5: My new church community at Emmaus

#6: My lovely roommates (and future roommate)

#7: High School Friendships that last beyond graduation :)

#8: My wonderful family

#9: Spending four years with my best friend

#10: Having Someone who always believes in me

-Beth

5 Graceful Things

So I stole this idea from my roomie, she has a delightful tradition of blogging 7 things she adores each Monday. I am going to blog on Wednesdays things that remind me of, are, or mean "grace".

Enjoy!

I think GRACE is...

We Heart It

Riding my New Bike to School Through My Lovely Neighborhood

Kudos to Roomie

Serving Customers with a Joyful Heart

We Heart It

A Gift I don't Deserve

I heart it.

Apologizing for Something When You Don't Have To

I heart it.

A Beautiful Ballerina

What things represent GRACE to you?

-Beth

Reflections of Grace

I am moving in 5 days. That is 26 days earlier than I anticipated. There is something about moving that causes you to reflect on the past. This whole process of picking a new house with two girls has been challenging. Not because either of my roommates are difficult. They are just about the two most wonderful people in the world. But because it requires letting go.


My current apartment I picked out myself, and even though I dislike my landlords, mold occasionally grows, and it is slightly ghetto, I made it my HOME.


This was the first place I ever took care of on my own. 
This was the first place I had to clean without being told by my mom or my RA.
This was the first place I had to pay for every month to continue living here.
This was the first place I had incredible neighbors to have game nights with.
This was my first place.


Saying good-bye isn't easy, but it makes me reflect on how God has sustained me though this whole living situation.


On March 28, 2010, I was broken. I did not know where or who I was going to live with. It was also the Day of Prayer at Emmaus.


That day I begged before God to bring me a Christian roommate thinking that one roommate would probably work out. The next day, she called to say that she would be living with someone else.


I was floored. I did not know where to go or where to turn, but I tried not to have a short term memory. God provided last year for me in miraculous ways.


Journal Entry from August 2, 2009:
"God, I don't even know what to say but I know I want to RUN with You. This decision to live alone scares me. It is out of my comfort zone, but I know you will provide. Keep me focused on the hurting people of Springfield I am going to encounter. I give you my Springfield story."


Journal Entry from August 5, 2009:
"Right now Springfield is scary. Nothing has worked out right with roommates. The living situation is hard."


Journal Entry from August 11, 2009:
"Wow, that is about all I can say. I have a Christian roommate that you brought to me. My Aunt Pam asked my mom if she knew anyone who needed a Christian roommate. WOW! This was the first girl who I did not pursue. You brought her to me. Thank You!"


That girl was Koni, my roommate. I heart her.


Going through my journal, I also found prayers about a job. Well, tomorrow, I open at The Coffee Ethic. A year ago, I would have laughed at the possibility to work at such an incredible coffee shop, but I do.


So God provided for me last year, and I held tight to that, but it was hard. Who knew he was preparing my living situation for this year long before now?


Journal Entry from October 22, 2009:
"God, Thank you for bringing Mallory into my life yesterday. I wish I could have known her before. But it was such a blessing to meet her and talk with a girl for a while. I hope she comes in more."


I could have never imagined that in 5 days I would be moving in with this wonderful Mallory. 


In conclusion, I am feeling a lot of emotions right now. I am thankful for God's provision and this exciting new part of my life to spend with two awesome chicas (Koni and Mallory). I am sad to let my first apartment go. I am tired even thinking about moving. And I am reading to make a new home.


Sometimes to accept our future, it is necessary to reflect on God's past grace.

GRACE

P.S. Whatever your doing inside of me, it feels like chaos, but somehow there's peace. Though it's hard to surrender to what I can't see. I'm giving in to something heavenly.