Thumbs
Up:
Baby goats again! They’re just the best! We tried to take them all on a walk
the other day which was somewhat successful but entirely hilarious. Also, one
of the sisters called me her “right-hand goat woman,” and if that’s not a
compliment, I don’t know what is.
This would be me, being a right-hand goat woman :)
Thumbs
Down: I’m feeling the weight of transition, namely in that I’m
homeless. Not literally (at least not yet) – so don’t freak out. But this week,
especially this weekend, I felt
really homeless. I’m leaving the convent, the place that has been my home for
two months, in 18 days. I’m going “home,” but really I’m going to my parent’s
house which is in a different city from where I’m actually going to live. And
fingers crossed that this week we’ll get approved for a rental house in Austin,
so I can, you know, actually move there and go to school. But even when we do
get that house, it won’t be my home – not at first. So it’s weird to not feel
at home, and it’s sad sometimes.
God-Sighting:
Look
at this little goat.
Our goal this week is to socialize her, because she is so
shy and skittish that she has barely been held by humans. So on Monday, when I
was feeling homeless, I decided I was going to catch this kid and hold her. It
took time and patience, but I finally got her. She freaked out at first, and
after a few minutes was just sitting there kind of begrudgingly. Then little
Ebenezer came over, so I sang “Come Thou Fount” to them (you know the line,
“here I raise my Ebenezer”). I swear to you that when I was singing, I felt
that little goat relax in my arms. So I kept singing, and we sat together for
over an hour and a half. Me and this little baby goat who has barely been held
before. As I held her close, we both let loose of the tension in our bodies and
just praised the Lord. It helped me remember what is important and who holds me
close. And this little goat? Her name is Chisomo, which means Grace. God
literally put grace in my lap. He
knows our needs, y’all. He knows our needs and is sure to show us his goodness
and mercy and grace.
I held Chisomo again today!
Other
Notes: I was so blessed this week, as I am every week, by the
healing service over at the retreat center across the valley. It is a wonderful
time of prayer, worship and fellowship.
We (the interns) walked into town on Sunday to go an
adventure and get ice cream! It was almost 3 miles each way but not too hot –
although the native Northerners would disagree (it was a whole 82 degrees!)!
Also, story time: (skip if you like; it has nothing to
do with this week, or my internship in general) check out my timehop from
today.
I had completely forgotten about this, but four years ago I was lifeguarding
all summer and preparing to start my freshman year at The Abbey (how time
flies!). I was feeling excited but nervous and happy but terrified -- not totally unlike how I feel about starting a new school and moving to a new place now. Anyway, at work one evening I asked a little girl who was having her birthday party at the park
if she was homeschooled. She was, and we had a short conversation but I thought
nothing of it. We closed shortly thereafter and somehow her family was still in
the parking lot when I walked out – parked right next to me. The parents asked,
“How did you know?” and I couldn’t explain it; I just knew. I told them I was
homeschooled so I had a knack for picking fellow homeschoolers out in a crowd. So
we talked for a few minutes and these parents were so amazing and encouraging
to me, affirming in my actions and in my character and they barely knew me! And
the last thing the dad said was “It was so wonderful to meet you, and I know
the Lord is going to bless you at your school and all that you do.” we had no idea how true that would be.
In the past four years I have been beyond blessed by my family, my friends, my
church, my teachers, my school. I’m not sure how I could doubt that things
would change now…
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you
by name, you are mine” Isaiah 43:1
Amen
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