One of my favourite authors, Robin Jones Gunn, recently came out with a book beginning a continuation series of past novels. Basically, she has a young adult series and it progresses to adult, etc. but you can read one series ie. The College Years and not be lost if you haven't read the past novels.
This new series is the married years of Todd and Christy Spencer and I've been so excited about this! Without giving away spoilers, lets just say that the truths I will be taking away from it will certainly be ones I will be using while in Nepal. They are what are in the forefront of my mind as I think about what challenges I will face.
I've been reading more current PCV Nepal blogs and I've discovered I really shouldn't... I'm stopping myself from really freaking out, but apparently we will have language proficiency tests to do prior to being sworn in as a PCV! This definitely makes sense because you certainly can't be successful without a semi-decent proficiency in language, but it still is causing me to freak out because while I've attempted to learn other languages before - success is not something I've accomplished. However, I also haven't spent a fair amount of time on learning them and been in full immersion!
Also, I've learned that there is a possibility of a family member coming to visit you when you are sworn in as a volunteer. :) Don't know how that works out, but it is a nice idea!
As my mind begins to go to freak out mode from what I have read, these next few verses come to me in response. I need to keep in mind these Scriptures for the next journey where God is taking me.
Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified and do not be discouraged for the Lord our God will be with you wherever you go.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I was wanting to type this earlier and had thought about including it in my last post, but didn't want to to be so long so here is another entry!
A good friend of mine and I had lunch a few months ago. She talked about her boyfriend and another friend of ours with his girlfriend. Long story short, the boyfriend had mentioned how appreciative he was that she wanted to look good for him. Our friend had mentioned he would like his girlfriend to look nicer on occasion. My thoughts on this? I'M SCREWED...lol
I don't mind wearing makeup, but it is not something I wear often. Who knows? Maybe if I am in a relationship - I will want to look nicer while going out (although that wasn't the case with my ex, but it wasn't exactly a great relationship anyways). My friend did say she was a little shocked to hear that from the guys in her life 'cause her primary thought was that guys didn't like high maintenance so my eventual guy would probably appreciate my low maintenance. :) I choose to go with that!
All this conversation did make me think, however. There is a fine line between looking nice and looking nice with high maintenance. When I go out of the house, depending on why - I'm typically not trashy looking. I do occasionally go out in pajamas, but that is only for a quick grocery run. Actually going out with friends? I'll dress nice, but the makeup is occasional.
My pastor called me out in church Sunday. To be honest, he caught me as I was trying not to fall asleep so I'm not entirely positive I nodded in agreement correctly and heard him... However, I think he said something along the lines of how I'm not chasing after guys, but am still surrounding myself with people - emphasizing we need relationships even if we're single. Whomever God has for me will love me for who I am and find me beautiful whether I am wearing makeup or not!
Of course, I just read a book involving faith. :) I am taking the opportunity to record this so when I get to feeling low - I can remember to put my faith in God because He loves me and not focus on my surroundings and fear.
Romans 8:35, Romans 5:1-5
I got to thinking today about paydays (since one of mine is this Friday) and how many I had left until I graduated. THERE ARE ONLY 9!!!!! Minor freakout moment and calculated how many hours I needed to do to be out of it, which has not changed from working 60 hours/week (not including night differential and overtime) that I had calculated beginning from midDecember. Actually, that does not make much sense - obviously my math is not the greatest...
I'll try and calculate it out again later, but in the meantime - I ONLY HAVE 9 PAYDAYS TO BE OUT OF DEBT!!!! :-P Not many at all... :(
This month will be difficult because I need to somehow pay for school and health insurance, which I do not believe I can make $2500 in 2 weeks. What would that calculate out to, I wonder...? Looks like 15 shifts and that is not possible as I already have missed 2 days and there are only 14 days in 2 weeks, but I will definitely work as much as I can towards that!
After I see how much I have left after throwing some at credit cards, I will probably end up taking out more student loans so school is paid for interest free (for me) and I cannot panic and focus on getting out of credit card debt. This means more student loans that I need to pay off, but it at least allows me to not have to worry about paying interest and not having the money when it is due.
During times like these, I need to trust that Jesus has things under control even though things are coming up extremely fast... :) It is also not going to be the end of the world if I am not able to graduate with no debt like I want to, but I would at least like to make ONE goal that I made last summer!!
