For those of you that have read my notes and blogs, this may all sound like repeat. For those that may be new to reading this, I use this as accountability, transparency, and prayer. I also hope that somewhere along the way, my journey brings encouragement to someone.
About 2 years ago, I decided that I was going to get serious about losing weight. I did and lost almost 40 pounds! Since then, it has been an up and down battle with eating healthy and working out. There are many reasons for that. I am a stress eater. This last year has been stressful especially with dealing with my friends and my job. Once I stop eating good, the less I care about working out. Didn't help that I can no longer afford a gym membership. So now I am relying on the fitness center at Harvest and running in the mornings to get some much needed exercise. At this point I work out about 2 times a week. So an attempt to get myself motivated, I am going to organize another Biggest Loser contest with my friends. I think there needs to be a prize this time! If you are interested in joining let me know. I am not exactly sure when we start but probably in the next couple of weeks. To be completely honest, I have been down about my weight recently. I have gained about 10 pounds back. I don't want this to be something Satan uses to bring me down and not press forward. Pray that I will focus less on the weight and more on being healthy. Pray that I can get up at 5am to run miles in the cold weather a couple times a week. This seems to be the only way to get exercise in my schedule during the week.
This may not come as shock to some of you. I am looking to move in the next couple of months. I know some of you are thinking that I have been saying this for 3 years now. I have wanted to move for a couple years now. Each time fear stopped me from being really serious about it. Fear that there is no way to find a job in this economy especially not in another state. Fear that there is no way for me to afford a move. Fear that moving means making new friends and leaving amazing friends behind. Fear that I would never find a church I would love more than Harvest. Even though these fears are still there, I am not letting them get the best of me. I know that God is bigger than this economy and only with His help will finding a job in another state happen. God has given me a part time job that I kind of don't like but I remind myself that I am light in a dark place and that I need the money if I want to move. Still scared to meet new people (I am so not good with new people) but I am hoping that between church and the few people I know already that I will be ok. The whole finding a new church was solved by my buddy Drew who told me that Harvest is planting a church in King of Prussia (Philly). How amazing to be apart of a Harvest Bible Chapel at the beginning. I am excited about that. Now I just need to get a job and live somewhat near there! I have an amazing peace about moving. I will miss some great people in Chicago when I leave but I know that will stay in touch and connected. Moving near my best friend's parents means I at least get to see her on the holidays!! Even after all that, I know some of you think I am crazy and this statement might shock you even more. I want to move to be closer to my family. They are crazy and maybe annoying but they are family. One day I hope to have a family and I don't want to live 12 hours from those crazy people but 1-2 hours is a good buffer! Pray that I will find a job in the Philly/Lancaster/Reading/Harrisburg area that pays me enough. Pray that I will find a place to live whether by myself (only by a miracle), with a roommate, or with an amazingly generous family. Pray that I figure out the most cost effective way to move my stuff. Pray this happens within the next month!
I am in the middle of waiting for God to act. I know He has something amazing planned. He gives me little bits of encouragement and excitement about moving. I know He working right now but I have no idea when it will all come together. I am not good at waiting. It is something I pray about everyday. I want all of this to be for God's glory!
If you know of a possible job in the Philly/Lancaster/Reading/Harrisburg area, let me know. I am mainly looking at admin jobs but I am not opposed to something different. I recently applied to be a floral store manager. I am just looking for something that I would love to do and I am pretty open at the moment.
P.S. For those that know my family, please say nothing of my possible move. I have told them nothing except that I wanted to move to Nashville. That is true but not where the Lord is directing me. Saving that moment for when I have a job and get to make my mom's year!
I hope you are all doing well. Feel free to send me emails, texts, or FB messages and let me know how I can pray for you. The New Years Resolution I have is to be more intentional about praying for my friends and family! You are loved!
