New Additions and Interesting Turns

It's been a while since I have posted, but that's really only because there hasn't been much to talk about. I have been in Alabama for almost a month and am still enjoying my time here, although things were moving kind of slowly for the last couple of weeks. A few things have picked up and changed though, so here are the updates.

I went to the Youth Department this week and inquired about applying. I took a tour of the facilities and turned in my application. Now I should receive something in the mail soon about the written exam date and location. From there I will take the exam and then they will have to score it, and they pick their employees from there. Basically this process will probably take several weeks. I FINALLY got in touch with Target, and they told me that I am supposed to start my orientation on the 7th. They were being so sketchy for a while, and I really hope that they pull through with the job offer, because I am getting very antsy at home and am dying for some real human interaction! Hopefully they follow through and I will start in a little less than a week with my orientation. Let's keep our fingers crossed.


The weather has been crazy temperamental this week. We had some amazing weather, so warm to the point where I was wearing shorts and reading outside. Then we had a day of monsooning, where it just rained and the wind howled all day. A tree fell right outside of my Gram's house, literally inches from the front door. That was pretty scary. Now it is beautiful outside, but chilly. I'm trying not to complain too much when it's a little cold, because I know come summer- it's going to be practically unbearable! But I've really come to appreciate Alabama nights, when it's not too cold. The sky is clear and you can see stars, and it's warm with a slight breeze. Just feels really good and it's almost like you can hear God talking to you if you listen closely. I love it. 

Last night, my aunt had her baby. So I now have a new nine pound cousin named Nathan. We went to the hospital today for a visit and I got to hold him. Gosh, he is so beautiful and so tiny. I actually started tearing up as I held him. It's so crazy to think about new life, and how we all started as infants who knew nothing about the world. It was definitely a good moment for me. I can't wait to love all over him. Afterwards we went to a Chinese restaurant and I destroyed the buffet, went with my Gram to get her hair cut and random stuff like that. I'm pretty tired now from all of the running around, but I am always thankful for any opportunity to get out of the house. Kathy is coming home tomorrow with the baby and hopefully things will settle back into (somewhat) normal-ness. Welcome to the family, Nathan!

I have been doing research on churches in the area and stumbled upon the Methodist church, which is conveniently located across from the Presbyterian church my grandparents attend. This street is apparently known as 'Church Row' and has all kinds of churches in one little are. I did some research online on the Methodist church, because my friend Jacob advised me to stay away from the Southern Baptist types if I can help it. I found out that the Methodist church has a contemporary service at the same time as my Gram's church's service. I called their office today and spoke to one of the pastors, and he told me a little bit about the service and asked me what I was looking for. It was nice, I found out that he is 24 and he assured me that their service is geared towards people our age and is very progressive. I'm definitely going to check out the service on Sunday and see what it's like. Some of my friends have kind of laughed at me for considering church as an option for meeting people. But I had a conversation with one of my good friends, Kayla, a couple of nights ago. She lives in LA and has for almost two years now. I asked her how she did it, how she moved somewhere completely new and managed to meet people and make friends on her own. She told me that she met her close group of friends through church, because the guy she had a crush on invited her to join him one Sunday. She went for the wrong reasons, but it ended up being a blessing for her. She said that she would've already fled LA and run back home if it hadn't been for the new friends she made and has gotten close with, and she is getting baptized this weekend! So I am definitely feeling confident with my decision to find a good church around here. I don't see how doing that could end badly. Hopefully the Methodist church turns out to be something I enjoy, and if not- I will venture out to other churches!

I'm missing my friends a lot, but am very excited because I bought a bus ticket to Cullowhee for two weeks from now. My friend is throwing a surprise birthday party for his girlfriend. She is turning 21 and she is our baby, she's been there for all of our 21st birthdays. I'm so excited to go up and surprise her and get to see everyone that I miss so much. It will definitely be refreshing. Day by day, I find myself getting over Madison. Some moments are really hard, but moments are better than full days. I'm making progress and we are on speaking terms.

I'm excited for Nathan to come home, to check out this church, and to start working- all within the next week. Come on, Alabama! HIT ME WITH SOMETHING.