The first picture is the view from the end of my road. Also, the house God has blessed me with, and the bike that I affectionately named "Tech-Trek."
The other day I went for my first bike ride. I live 4 miles (roundtrip) from the coffee-shop I want to work at. I attached the blinking safety lights my Grandma gave me to my bike and took off. I love biking. I was a little sweaty once I got to the place, though. I planned on hanging out a while and getting some things done on-line, but I checked weather.com and it said that thunderstorms were sure to roll in, so I didn't hang around long. I didn't want to get stranded. That's the only thing about bike-riding...the possibility of uncooperative weather.
I am still job hunting. It is a process that I don't particularly like. Something about it makes me feel very insecure. I've been dealing with insecurity since I've been here. I guess, it's just that I'm in a new town by myself. When I get insecure I get awkward and quiet. I try to guard myself instead of realizing that there's really nothing to guard. I've been working on chilling out and just "being." God is with me here, and I have no need to feel insecure. It's not stupid if I get lost in the city...I'm new here. It's OK if I don't know how to read the menu at the Drippolator: I'm new here. It's OK that I'm not totally comfortable walking around downtown by myself yet: I'm new here.
Today, I passed this guy on the sidewalk, a normal earthy type guy who looked about my age or a little older. He asked me if I had a pen. I said no. I was only carrying my keys. He looked at me and asked, "I don't know you, do I?" And I replied, "No, that's OK." I meant, it's OK that you asked to borrow a pen even though you don't know me....but I dont' think it made any sense. I am just SO awkward when I'm nervous. I should have responded "No, you don't, I'm Nicole..." and who knows, I might have had a new friend. Or maybe that would have been even more awkward...who knows.
Getting to know people is difficult. This has been a good experience though, God is trying to shed me of unnecessary insecurity.
Tonight I am going to the City View Quaker's church. I am really excited about this. I left a message at the church and the Pastor called me today. They are a small congregation of about 20 people. They are reading Brian McLaren's book "A Generous Orthodoxy." I found out about them through Relevant Magazine's church directory. From what I can tell, they seem like my kind of people, and I'm really excited about meeting them. He said they have been going straight through the Bible before they started discussing McLaren's book. From what I can tell they are very Biblically based but real. More updates after I go, I guess.
Keep praying that I find a job. I'm confident God will provide, he always does.
Love,
Nicola
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