Summer Update from San Diego

It has been almost two months already since moving to San Diego. Has a lot happened....? Yes and no.

Roommates: Wonderful. I am blessed in that regard with two girls who have really been here for me on those nights I am homesick and being lame and a homebody.

Church: I am pretty sure I have found the church I am going to be going to. It is called Grace San Diego and it is in the south part of San Diego.... respectively compared to where I live. It is in the Normal Heights area. I have kinda connected with some girls in a small group, but all the small groups come back together in September, so I may look into those then. I have yet to go to church with my roommates, and I will as promised, but I do like Grace. The pastor reminds me so much of the demeanor of Pastor Tonye and I really do have alot of respect for Tonye as an amazing man of God and true preacher of the Word. Pastor Scott at Grace is a topical/series teacher compared to P.T who is expositional, other than that.... its good.

Work: I am still at Coffee Bean full time as I am looking for another position in events management or something close to my field which will get me out of retail. I have a couple of places I have applied for I am praying about and am interested. One is in Event Sales and the other is for an Event Coordinators position for a mortgage company. So we shall see what happens. Coffee Bean has me on a management development track (which works in the meantime).

Me: I am realizing more where I am at, and I know I am growing. I have had more alone time than I am used to and I have been able to reflect and think. I am so used to being outgoing and I am extroverted so all this is new for me. I am trying to be more sure of who I am. It has been heart breaking at times. I made my first trip home since moving 3 weeks ago and it was hard. My heart and life is in SLO. I know I am here in SD as my desert.... to deal... and I have a peace that God will give me the desires of my heart as long as I am obedient to Him. I feel like I am being obedient, so we will see where that leads, and I have a peace that that I will return to SLO in some kind of foreseeable future, like year or two. I know I need my space to deal without being in my comfort zone. When home last I was with my closest friends whom have been here for me through all this in prayer, encouragement and support, and I am blessed for that. I am learning what relationships I have at home which are genuine and what aren't. I find it funny that since I left no one from church has contacted me, and I made a couple attempts to those. When home I opted to go to Oak Park by request of many who have been keeping in touch and praying and encouraging me and this showed me what the church is supposed to do and be. The church is to lift up, encourage, and love. No gossip, no drama, and no politics. I am glad to see things more objectively being away from many things. I have been able to be in touch with Pastor Tonye too which has been great and encouraging. Talk about someone who knows how to kick my butt when I need it, and put me in check.

My next visit home: I will be home next weekend... I have a wedding in Los Olivos next Saturday, but in the midst of that is OPCC Young Professionals and College Hang Out Night. LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! Brian and his RiffTrax, and Ash Street Lovin' Time. I also have a small bbq I was invited to. I am hoping to see P.T., I will be staying in AG as usual ;), but will be in Atascadero Sunday night staying with Susee. I also have plans to get my bumper fixed, spend time in SLO, and just enjoy being home for 3 days. My next visit after that will be in a month for my birthday. I will be at Oak Park for church as well. So I will be easy to find.

Prayer Requests: Thank you so much for praying for my mom's health. Continue to pray for her now that she is home from the hospital and recovering slowly. Please lift up my job search and continuing to adjust to San Diego for as long as God would have me here. Pray over the applications I have submitted, and for God to just work in areas in need of restoration and healing and reconciliation.

Thank you so much for everything, I appreciate the encouragement and support and love. I miss all my dear family and friends at home, and know I am not gone forever. I have peace about that with full confidence and faith. I am blessed for the friends whom are close and those who have come and are constantly there for me. It means the world to me.

All My Love,
Caitlyn