Home Sweet Home Update

It has been a crazy week... no I take that back... two weeks. Moving and readjusting takes a lot out of a person. Emotionally, physically, and mentally... and even a little spiritually draining. I have had some moments where I am reminded how blessed I am to be where I am now. My first two days back I couldn't walk around downtown SLO without seeing someone I knew, and it was such a warm feeling.

I live with some of the best people in my life in AG-- near church, close friends, and I have my ocean 2 miles away about... okay so maybe like 4. People who encourage me and I trust as friends and sisters in Christ. Amanda has been so amazing in sharing her room as we both transition. We have Bible Study at our house usually... or the Boys House on Tuesday and it has been really good for me to have that bond with my close friends :)

Since being home I have been vigorously on the job hunt for a second job or a wonderful only job. I currently have a job working at a clothing store downtown working for what I was making with Coffee Bean, and that is a blessing to being able to move home to something giving me some kind of income. This week though I had an interview today with Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs in Avila, and it would be a wonderful position for me, and in my field. With the current hiring freeze of many companies and firms, and the hospitality seeing a dip in tourism in San Luis Obispo County by at least 35%, any interview for an open position is great. I would really love to work to them, so please be praying for that. Also, I got in contact with the store manager at the Starbucks on Madonna and I am talking to him about a rehire. It would be great to have that as a second job and the hotel as my full-time position, that would be ABSOLUTELY ideal. However, one or the other would be great too, since I do have the current job I have to also get income from. My second interview for Sycamore is with the Assistant General Manager and that will be tomorrow, so there is something else to pray for. I also am interviewing tomorrow with a Telecom company in San Luis Obispo working with Client Relations. This telecom company works with customers who have business lines with Sprint.... so that could be stable... hopefully. So there is so much going on, and I feel like I am go, go go!

Church is also going well. I am going to be teaching in Sunday School every 4th Sunday of the month, with the exception of this month because of the holiday and whatnot. I am stoked to be back, and serving. It is with the kids 4 years old to second grade. So, that's that. We are doing the series right now "Life in Christ, Christ in Life". We are going through my favorite book in the Bible Colossians. If you want to know why that is my favorite book, just ask, and I so will tell you. I get excited when talking about it... hence it being my favorite book in the Bible.

I feel like right now my life is so all over the place. I feel like I have life scattered. I have things in my friend Ryan's garage, my car is a disaster of the odds and ends, I have things in the Wesley House, and my friend Lauren has some of my stuff... my friend Katie brought me things I put in her trunk. I also feel like people are not too understanding or aware of the past few months of my finances and where I have really been. I think only Amanda really know, and probably Bekah as well. The past few months with really battling spiritual warfare, depression (and I mean real depression-- crying myself to sleep for a few months, not eating, not sleeping well, not being happy-- mad at God), and being so angry with God, the job struggle, my finances, trials that seem to come in a huge rain storm right now. I don't like it when people bring up finances... it definitely it a sore spot for me. I have so much pulling on me from every angle.... stuff to buy, insurance, rent, phone... and then credit cards need to be paid off. I am probably going to be deferring my student loans for another year, and that is so not what I want to do. I just wish people understood. I know not everyone has been there... I havebeen 100% on my own since I was 17. While I am grateful for my parents... they do bail me out when I am in thick, or if I am cutting it close. And right now they are helping me with one of my commitments, and I am so very thankful. This spring I will be taking Financial Peace through church (Oak Park Christian Church-- recommend the church and the class, but the church if you are looking). I really want to honor God with my finances and so....

So prayer requests:

Finances
Job Hunt
Learning to really trust God more and not worry after giving it to Him
Continuing to heal from spiritual warfare and depression (the depression really is getting better, praise God).
The transitioning back home
My family-- trials they are facing with a broken car; my brother deciding where to move and go to school next year

Praise Reports:
Wonderful roommates and friends
Being Home
My chapped lips getting better (you really don't know... 4 months of always chapped and dry... ugh)
God has been providing to this point every day for my NEEDS. I am still just learning that everything else are wants, and He does things in HIS time.

Blessings and Joy,
Caitlyn