Small Town Update

It's been a while since I've blogged, but I don't have to tell you that. So, where have I been all this time? Still in the same town, though my outlook is very different.

Perhaps you've heard of the phrase 'a dark night of the soul'? Well, I don't think what I've gone through is that drastic, but depression was very much an issue.

It's hard to go from a very familiar place, surrounded by friends to a two-bedroom apartment all by yourself and no clear direction in your job.

I'm not going to go into details, but I have been praying and I know people have been praying for me and I've been hungry for Scripture in a way I hadn't been in a while. The other night I was looking up phrases like 'lonely' in my concordance and finally started reading the book of Job. I've cried, I've prayed, I've gotten angry. I've even questioned whether or not I made the right choice in moving here.

Don't get me wrong, there are things I love here. I am starting to get more accustomed to my job. Though I still don't know how to grow a youth group out of no youth, I do know that God is in control. I pray that he will bring the kids he wants to come and I have to trust him for that. The Holy Spirit does the prompting, I'm just a vessel.

Trust me, there have been plenty of opportunities to laugh. Here are a few:

-going to a small town council meeting. "Reidsville...in the house!"

-seeing a fence with a giant welcome sign and a small no tresspassing sign right beside it

-eating at a second resteraunt that had brains on the menu

-being told the confederate soldier made of stone in the middle of town is a 'monument', not a 'soldier statue'

-trying to buy coffee after 8 at night or animal crackers on a Sunday morning- nothing's open!

-having a 4-year-old at church who named one of his toy cars 'Snot Rider'

-having a patriotic service on JUNE 4

-taking Bella on a walk down Main Street, having the leash break, and carrying her like a baby back up Main Street, around the corner, past City Hall and the police station

-taking Bella on a walk down Main Street with her new leash and deciding to clean up her poop in Bank of America's front lawn even though they charged me overdraft fees

-going door-to-door to advertise our children's and youth programs and having a dresser on someone's front porch fall on me

Oh, there are many other things. But I suppose the most significant thing is a serious thing. It's how God is teaching me to rely on him in a way I haven't had to in a long time.

I may not like not having a roommate or a job where I am not sure what to do next, but God is walking me through it. And for that, as well as other things, I am thankful.

Small Town Living

I'm sitting on the floor of my living room surrounded by a bunch of stuff that should be put away. I've been here since Wednesday and it has been pretty good so far. A special thanks to my mom for cleaning the bathroom (you have no idea how bad it was) and putting shelf paper in my kitchen cabinets. I'd also like to send a shout out to my dad, his friends, and my brother for moving in heavy stuff.

The day I got here I kept telling my mom how excited I was to get a library card, so that was one of the first things I did the next day. I think she thought I was a little strange. I mean, we're not talking about Chicago's city libraries here. I've also been to the city hall, the coffee shop, various establishments and driven around town, getting the feel of this rural location. There are beautiful historic homes and downtown is extremely cute.

My friend Rachel and I even ate at the Sanitary Cafe where they serve brains. Yea, you totally read that right. Large brains and small brains and I said, "What do they mean by that??" apparently really loud. You can get brains with other foods and it sits on the menu like it's self-explanatory. Is it normal to have brains on a menu? Wouldn't it be a little more normal to at least say pig brains? Or cow brains? But to just say brains....I mean, you don't have to be from a DC suburb to think that's weird.

The street my apartment is on has several apartment complexes and nice family homes. Both sides of the street have a bike lane and most evenings you can see people out riding bikes, walking dogs, or just walking themselves. You also don't see older women carrying sticks. Back in Maryland they carried sticks. I always assumed it was to ward off an attacker, so I guess my new place is a little safer than the 'ol DC suburbs.

I do miss living with other people, I'm too much of an extrovert. Bella keeps me busy because she chews on everything, so it is kind of like having a two-year-old with me.

I'm suprised by how much I like small town life. Of course right now it is still a novelty, but it's proven fun so far. I'm not far from Greensboro and things here in Rockingham County are a whole lot closer than in Harnett County.

I survived my first day of work and I'm sure I'll be able to update you on that soon. Don't hesitate to call or e-mail me!