This is why you're home

I don't know why I moved home after college, but apparently most college graduates do.  To be honest, I really didn't want to move back home.  There was a setup where I could have easily lived in a house with a good Christian college friend and it would be cheaper rent than the apartment I was living in and a little more space.  I told her that I would give her an answer accordingly so that if I did say no, she would still find time to find another roommate.  But obviously, I told her no.  When people asked me why I was moving home, I said to save money.  I am saving money (to mostly to pay off some debt) but that was not the full basis of why I moved home.

Moving back to the central valley is nice and calming than the fast lifestyle of Southern California, but of course it can get boring and mundane at times.  Especially, the first couple of months when I was still getting to know people or re-getting to know people.  I was trying to be social but no hard enough. But now that it has been 9 months since moving back in, I can start to see why God placed me back into my hometown.

I have seen a change in myself that I have not seen while growing up.  I have become more close and honest with my parents.  Though sometimes the truth is really hard for them to hear, that is what's necessary to grow in a relationship with the ones you love.  I know that being an adult and more mature doesn't hurt either when I converse with my parents, but of course I will always be their daughter and often get told what to do (even though I hate it, but that's how it is. Well...especially when I'm living with them).

I recently read a book called "The Five Love Languages: Singles Edition" by Dr. Gary Chapman.  It mentions in the book that Dr. Chapman had many singles reading the original five love languages book (which is intended for married couples) that would come up to him asking if he could write one for singles.  The singles edition is not only for dating relationships, but also relationships with family, roommates, classmates, coworkers, and singles with children.  Basically, I take that as everyone else you have a relationship with.

He mentioned that how you want to show love to your future spouse or others you date really depicts how you love your parents or have a relationship with them.  And throughout the book, there are many examples that start with learning a love language with your family first then moving onto others.

Here's a little excerpt from the family chapter:
  "When there is mutual love and honor between parents and adult children, both experience a positive state of emotional health, which in turn positively affects their physical health, which results in longer, more fulfulling life." -Dr. Chapman

I kinda hate quoting so much from this book, so I went to God's Words.
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12 ESV

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Eph 6:1 ESV
and ultimately...

"And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Matthew 22:37-39 ESV

When you think of saying job or work....say opportunity instead

I've worked for Barnes and Noble since October 2009 and picked up a second job with the Census Bureau in April 2010. Having two jobs is very tiring, especially sense I'm working with lots of people (and knocking on their doors...oh my goodness...lots of stories). So being overwhelmed can naturally make me think of dropping a job. So when I say or even think "I don't want to do this work" or "I don't think I want this job anymore", I remember that this 'job' or 'work' is actually an opportunity that was given to me. So when I start saying or thinking those things again, I replace it with "I don't want to do this opportunity" or "I don't think I want this opportunity anymore", it made me realize that I was lucky to even have this opportunity. I've started doing this sometime mid-May and it's really put my mind in perspective and made me thankful for what I was given.

Since having moved home late August 2009, I went from no job to 1 job to 2 jobs to a yet-to-happen interview for a management position (scheduled june 5th) and potentially extending my job (or opportunity) with the Census for another 8 weeks. Thank you God for the opportunities you've given me.

But my opportunities don't just stop there. Even before I got my BN job, I started helping out at the food pantry at my church. That was really the first opportunity I had since moving back home. It's been a blessing to be a part of and the ministry keeps growing and I'm still able to do it even though I have 2 jobs. Technically, I have full availability with BN, but God has kept my Mondays clear of work so I could be at the food pantry. And the Census job is so flexible, I just work whenever I'm done at the food pantry.

So, the only explanation to all of this is because of God and God alone.

Wherever HE leads me...to opportunities, I am thankful.

...I will go

I finally made a blog. I have thought about it for a long time and recently, a friend said I should join (Heather). I feel like one of those people that finally got a facebook, and others would comment on their wall by saying:

"It took you long enough" or "Welcome to..."

Well, I've chosen to title this blog as so because HE (God) is who I love and I WILL go wherever HE wants me to. And this doesn't just mean physically go, but mentally as well. Wherever I will go, I'd better go with the right perspective and mindset, focused on God and that my attitude, motives and character are like Jesus Christ's.

I feel so passionate tonight because my mind feels clear. It feels cleansed from the things that I've been holding in mind for a long time. Things that I do not know if they will happen. Things that I should not be thinking or worrying about because they're clouding my focus of where God wants me to be. Even clouding my mind everyday of who God is. Things, things, things that are not HIM, HIM, HIM.

Well...this is not the first time I've felt like this, but it just so happened to be tonight and while I was starting up a blog. And whatever entries I post it's because HE leads li'l ol' me.