Is it really October??

It's been a while since I posted last.  There has been so much going on.  First of which, I turned 30! AHHHHHHHH that's a little crazy to think about!

We are coming into our busiest season as far as the mission goes.  Just a basic run down of the events that we have coming up: Coat days, foot exam/shoe giveaway, Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts, Christmas party, and every other week through winter we house the homeless in a joint operation called Operation Warm Heart, not to mention continuing to provide the basic life services that we provide year round.  On top of gearing up for all these things, my job has been insanely busy, just yesterday we moved locations from the fifth floor to the first.  I have until Tuesday to have it fully set and ready for business.  This has not been an easy task.  Also I got another job.  I am now running the food pantry at the mission.  It really isn't any additional time commitment, but the mental realization of the responsibility that now sits in my hands overwhelms me at times.  And for anyone that knows me, you realize that I am living my dream!  I am on paid staff at the mission!!!  This is probably one of the most incredible things that has ever happened to me!

In the midst of the chaos that has become my life, God has been teaching me amazing things!  The first is dependence on others.  I have this one friend that regularly gives me her car.  Very often it's so I can do things like grocery shopping, but sometimes it's just so that I can go for a drive or go visit other people.  It's been difficult to accept her generosity.  I grew up very independent, not needing or wanting other's help.  But over the last few years I have learned this is not how we were meant to live.  We were created for fellowship, first with God, then with others.  This doesn't make that transition easier for me, or I believe for anyone else!  The only thing that has helped make it a little easier is that another friend of mine said this to me: "you moved up here and sold your car in obedience to God, and so now God is blessing you by giving you access to a vehicle!"  I've realize that God is working in that way, not only to bless me, but to teach me how to lean on the people that He has placed in my life.  Also it reminds me a lot of my relationship with God.  I don't have anything to offer my friend for use of her car, but she gives it to me freely.  God does the same thing with us!

This isn't going to be a long post, because I'm mostly just catching everyone up on the workings of my life and the mission!  I will be posting in the near future to update you on the events that are coming!  I will ask for your prayers, first we need a percussionist at the church, and also we need funds to finish our building, with the new space, we would be able to expand a number of our programs or at least house them more comfortably!

Let me know if you need prayers!  Crucibleandcrown@gmail.com
Love you guys and God bless!!