Sarah: (Trying to) Stay Positive

Yesterday, I was feeling really discouraged about life. More specifically, the fact that we have been in San Diego for one week and we still don't have a place to live...

Even though our move across the country hasn't been totally smooth and easy, I can still see the Lord working in this transition. For example:

The day we left Elgin (September 22), our hitch kept scraping the ground everytime Francis would drive over a bump. So we had to stop into the shop that hooked up the trailer to our van, so that they could do something about it. While we were sitting in the waiting area, Francis expressed his fears of having to drive over the Rocky Mountains with his not so reliable van pulling 800lbs of stuff up large inclines. The man next to us asked where we heading. We told him San Diego. He looked at us with surprise and said, "Well, you know, I live there for half the year. I have a condo there in San Diego and I have an apartment here in Elgin." I did not know that. He then asked, "Do you want to know a better way to go, that'll avoid the Rockies?" Yes, yes we do. He proceeded to give us his directions and he also told us where we should stop each night. If it weren't for our hitch scrapping the ground, causing us to go into the shop, we never would have met Dave. We would have had to drive over the Rocky Mountains. And since we barely made it over the smaller Sierra Nevada mountains, I think it's safe to say that we never would have made it over those monster mountains.

Speaking of the Sierra Nevada mountains....As we were heading through Death Valley, over the mountains, Frank's van started overheating. Thankfully, I had service and was able to call my dad to ask him what we should do. We had to pull over several times and wait for 45 minutes (each time) for the engine to cool down before we could go on. Each time we pulled over, we dumped some water on the radiator to help it cool down faster. Which meant that we no longer had any drinking water and it was well over 100 degrees outside. We made it to a rest stop along the interstate where we decided to just let the van sit while we filled our cooler with water and poured it on the radiator. A couple of UPS truck drivers saw us and came over to offer their expertise. They told us there was only one more big slope to get over, they gave us a container to put water in (instead of our cooler), and they checked to see if everything was working ok under the hood. We made it over that slope and didn't have to pull over again (because of overheating).

One of my largest fears moving out here is that we don't know anyone. We have no contacts, no friends, no family in the area. No one. I was (still am) afraid that we won't make friends or find a sense of community here. On our first morning in the city, Frank received a call from his good friend, Michael. He told Francis that he was on his way to San Diego for a convention for work. Keep in mind that Michael didn't know when exactly we were moving, because we were in UG for 3 weeks, then we moved when we got back. He and Francis didn't talk once we were back from UG. So Francis tells Michael that we are in San Diego! There was lots of yelling, laughing, and wow-ing going on. We were able to spend our first few days with one our very good friends. I feel like bringing Michael to San Diego for work was God's way of welcoming us to the city.

We've been staying in a weekly hotel. There's a sink, mini-fridge, microwave, and a shower. But right around the corner from us is this little delicious and cheap Mexican restaurant. We don't eat there everyday, but it's a nice break from the pb & j, chips, and snacks that we have. And let me tell you - if you have no other reason to come visit me in San Diego, the California burrito is reason enough. Trust me.

I know in my head that the Lord has an apartment just waiting for us and a job for Francis lined up. But sometimes, I forget and become discouraged. Then I think of how faithful He has been to us up to this point and I think, "If He's done all this for us so far, I know that He is able and willing to help us now." It's only a matter of time.

On a side note, I start my new job at Gap today! Wish me luck.

Sarah's Announcement

Hello friends! Francis and I have some news! I've been waiting for a couple weeks to share it on the blog because there's still so much we need to figure out before it actually happens, but...

More specifically, the San Diego area. And we are so excited!!!! As I said before, there are still a lot of (major) details that we need to figure out (like where we're going to live and where we're going to work), but we can hardly wait for the adventure to start!

We are hoping to have (most of) the details figured out before we leave for Uganda August 28th - which only gives us one more week - yikes!! And we hope to move pretty quickly after we get back on September 15th. We are going to pack up our stuff, load our cars, and drive across the country to our new home.

This is a major time of transition for us and there's such a mix of emotions going on. We're excited, nervous, anxious, did I mention excited? We're currently researching our butts off to find jobs, housing, a good neighborhood, etc. I even found my husband reading an article titled, "How to Live Out of Your Car Safely". We're hoping that it doesn't come down to that, but if it does at least we'll know the ins and outs of living in our cars! hahaha. So needless to say, we would really appreciate you sending your prayers and positive thoughts our way! Oh, and if you know anyone in the San Diego area that can help us out, let us know--we need all the help we can get!

p.s. The picture is not of San Diego. It's actually a picture of Hanauma Bay, Hawaii from 1996 that I took when I was in first grade.

Summer Anthem

I spent four years and thousands of dollars going to college, right? I graduated, right? I have a college degree, right? I'm not some crazy lunatic who made all of that up, right?

Well then, why don't I have a job yet? Hmm? Answer that one. I have tweaked and refined my resumes (yes, that's right. I have multiple resumes). I have applied. I have interviewed. But no one seems to want to hire me. And this, my dear friends, is the kicker: They don't even call to tell you that you didn't get the job. Nope. So far I've gotten politically correct, pre-written emails and a postcard in the mail telling me that I didn't get the job. Here's something to celebrate though: my mailman can now share in my job-less situation from reading the postcard! Woo! Maybe now he'll think I'm super poor from my lack of work (and money) and throw some extra coupons in my mail.

But seriously. The whole job searching thing is really frustrating. Not that I thought it would be a piece of cake, but I thought someone would want to hire me. I am a catch people! I am a hard worker. I am a fast learner. I learn the best with hands on experience--throw me in the trenches and I'll pick the job right up. I like working with people (hello! I have a degree in m i n i s t r y!!!). I have a college degree. C'mon employers! See the magnificence that is before you and snatch me up! If it helps you decide, I would hire me.

Last night I was expressing my frustration and fears with my new friend, Joanna, (Kels and Joanna were roommates years ago) and she encouraged/reminded me that there is a plan for me. The plan just doesn't include the jobs that I've applied for. Something will eventually (soon, I hope) come up.

Ok. I'm tired of being a downer. On a much lighter note, this song is going to be the anthem of my summer. I love it. Every time I hear it I get ridiculously giddy and lighthearted. Seriously. Even now, with the frustrations of joblessness, this songs lifts me up. Enjoy:

-Sar

oh, p.s. If any of you know of available jobs in the area, give me a holla!