We sang this is church on Sunday. I don't think I have ever heard this song before. The chorus goes something like this:
"His love is deep
His love is strong
His love is wide
It covers us
His love is fierce
His love is furious
His love is sweet
His love is wild
Its waking hearts tonight!"
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do!"
John 15:4 "Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
The more completelyI devote myself to God, the more freely I can love people
"Enjoy the adventure of finding yourself through loosing yourself in God"
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Journal in the Cloud part 2
My continual and ongoing hope and prayer for my relationship with God is to never forget him in the good and the bad. I find that in the good self-reliance is a huge challenge of mine. It has been heavy on my thoughts and prayers recently. Today I open My Jesus calling book again.
"Trust Me with every fiber of your being! What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me. One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or major decision. Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times (UMMM - this is me!) Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust me Me. People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly (UMMM - me again!). Difficult times can jolt you into awareness if your need for me whereas smooth sailing can lull you into the stupor of self-sufficiency (Me again!).
I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything--and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence."
Psalms 40:4 "Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."
Psalms 56:3-4 "When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"
Isaiah 26:3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal!"
"Trust Me with every fiber of your being! What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me. One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or major decision. Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times (UMMM - this is me!) Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust me Me. People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly (UMMM - me again!). Difficult times can jolt you into awareness if your need for me whereas smooth sailing can lull you into the stupor of self-sufficiency (Me again!).
I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything--and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence."
Psalms 40:4 "Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."
Psalms 56:3-4 "When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"
Isaiah 26:3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal!"
Friday, December 28, 2012
Pslams 89:15
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of you presence, O LORD."
Thursday, December 27, 2012
My journal in the cloud
This morning during my walk (when I try to have time with God) my mind could not stay focused. Last night before I went to bed; the same thing. During my walk all I could say for a long time over and over again was "Jesus, come Holy Spirit, come Jesus, Come Lord." After a good deal of time I could only think that I don't want to loose my closeness, intimacy and even raw emotions that I have experienced with God. As my life is moving to another chapter - I feel this chapter is going to be so much different than things have been. Good! But in the good I don't want to loose sight of God. I don't want to forget how faithful he's been in the challenging times of life. Would it be better to hold on to the hard to keep God? I need to move forward and keep God. All of it doesn't matter (good or bad) if I don't have God. I must have God. My relationship with him must be intimate; I need it! I must not forget the closeness, intimacy and raw emotions that I have experienced with God.
Isaiah 64:4,5 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways."
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - I have continued to hope that whatever my next steps are vocationally that my closeness with Jesus will bring me greatness - not because of me - but because of him. I have felt this a lot in my work. Things go so well where I work - so well that it's obviously not ME! It's God. Whatever I do next - I want that to continue. I even want it to grow.
Psalms 36: 9,10 "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart."
December 27th - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
"I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength - until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness.
How much better it is to walk close to me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world."
That last paragraph is what I desperately want with God. I need God for THIS!!!!
Isaiah 64:4,5 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways."
John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - I have continued to hope that whatever my next steps are vocationally that my closeness with Jesus will bring me greatness - not because of me - but because of him. I have felt this a lot in my work. Things go so well where I work - so well that it's obviously not ME! It's God. Whatever I do next - I want that to continue. I even want it to grow.
Psalms 36: 9,10 "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart."
December 27th - Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
"I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength - until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness.
How much better it is to walk close to me, depending on My strength and trusting Me in every situation. If you live in this way, you will do less but accomplish far more. Your unhurried pace of living will stand out in this rush-crazed age. Some people may deem you lazy, but many more will be blessed by your peacefulness. Walk in the Light with Me, and you will reflect Me to the watching world."
That last paragraph is what I desperately want with God. I need God for THIS!!!!
Monday, December 24, 2012
No Regrets
I was talking with my friend Marcia on the phone the other day. I was telling her all the things going on here. Dave has a good job, we are getting along beautifully with my parents, the kids are adjusting well, we are seeing more of extended family (my brother and aunt, uncle and cousins), I am able to spend more time with the kids. "So you don't have any regrets about moving?" she asked. I stopped - I hadn't thought about it in such a way before. "No, I said. No regrets!"
I really don't regret moving. As always, I must say I miss my job and my friends. I DON'T miss a lot of other things. I don't miss the burden of day care and paying for that and having my kids raised by others. I don't miss the burden of the cost of our house (that we couldn't afford). I don't miss Dave working a DEMANDING physical labor job at least 50 to 60 hours a week. I don't miss the feeling of loneliness that surrounded me frequently. I don't miss the cold (it's Christmas eve and we are wearing short sleeves and going to the park later - LOVE IT). I don't miss the sorrow. I find myself singing in the mornings. This morning (on Christmas eve) Dave had to work. We were both up before work (and the kids were asleep). Dave kept making noises in the kitchen - I thought he was talking to me. "I'm not talking, I'm singing" Dave said. WHAT JOY!
We are making new Christmas traditions. We had Christmas with my parents the day before they left (12/22) with my brother here. YAY! We had a great time cooking together and enjoying each other. Tomorrow - Christmas Day - Isaac (my brother) is coming over in the morning to have Christmas morning with us. Opening presents eating (of course) and playing together. Later in the day we will go to my Uncle Park and Aunt Sylvia's house - where there will be lots of kids for our to play with. historically we would have been alone by noon on Christmas. I love having a busy Christmas Day. WHAT JOY!
Tyler is off school until Jan 8th. It seems like a crazy long time - but I'm looking forward to spending some lazy days together with the three of us (me and the kids) or the four of us (me, my mom and the kids). Tyler's looking forward to a visit to the zoo!
The New Year - will bring a new a revised effort to find a job. I have two that I'm really in pursuit of over the next few weeks.
1. Houston Area Community Services (HACS) - I need to follow up about the "Director of Housing of Social Services" that I interviewed for. The hiring manager said she wouldn't be able to do anything until after the first of the year - due to her schedule and demands. I would do well at this job and slid in to it pretty easily - with a few challenges.
2. On Jan 2nd I have an interview for an Executive Director position at a free clinic in Katy. I feel the need to outline this - if just for my purposes. When I first arrived in Houston I went to a partnership meeting for free clinics. I met Pamela Cobb from Community Health Partners. She has been wonderful person and a great help to me. She has invited me to other collaborative meetings and introduced me to other people. A few weeks ago I went to another meeting - An FQHC was holding a tour of their clinic. So I went - with some resumes. What the heck. I met John Kajandar there. The first thing he said to me (after hearing I was new to Houston) was "Welcome Home". We talked a bit (about people that he knows from Columbus) and what my desires are here in Houston. I want to work with the uninsured and under insured (that would be my first desire, 2nd housing/shelter/homeless). John told me that he would take his resume and pass it on to others. I didn't get his e-mail - but he would e-mail me. This was on a Friday afternoon. I though "Sure, you won't even remember me Monday morning". Sure enough Monday afternoon I heard from John telling me that he knows the head of Community Health Partners (where Pamela Cobb works) named Ken Janda. John told me that Ken is also on the board of a free clinic called "Christ Clinic" and that Christ Clinic was looking for someone to head up the clinic. I wasn't sure what that meant - but I e-mailed Pamela and asked her if she knew Ken. She said his office was right next to hers and she said she put in a good word for me. Then I don't here anything for two weeks. Meanwhile - I pretty much forget about this and move on to applying and interviewing for other jobs. Then last week I got a call from Ken's administrative assistant inviting me to interview for the executive director position. WTF! I have never held such a position and really don't know what they are looking for - but this would be AMAZING. So - of course I say yes. So this whole story "feels" God designed for me. Although I don't pretend to know or understand God's plans - so if it doesn't work out - then it doesn't. But this is how it (even more) feels right. 1. The clinic is open Mon-Thur 9-3. not a lot of hours - although as the executive director my responsibilities would go beyond these open hours - but it could be a position that allows for fewer hours. 2. It's in Katy which is 25 miles out of Houston BUT close to where Dave is working (relatively) AND in a great school district AND with extremely affordable housing. 3. The position isn't even posted ANYWHERE - This board member has just invited me to interview - out of these few connections that I have made. I'm blown away. The concerns I have - 1. What do they expect of an executive director and can I realistically do it? (I guess I will find out more of that on Jan 2nd). 2. It will be a bit of a haul (with traffic) for my parents - I would rather be closer to them. - So - I'm just trying to enjoy today and yet anticipating this possibility.
I feel like I'm trying, praying and asking God to help me stay present and not "dream" about what isn't real yet. God is being faithful. I took a walk this morning early (it seemed like before the city was awake on this Christmas Eve morning) and was remembering and thinking about they ways I have been able to stay present (instead of fantasize). I enjoy life so much more when I stay present (imagine that). My mind then started to turn to the possibilities and imagine what life would be like in a house in Katy with a job there as well. Within a few minutes - I felt God pull me back. Thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me, guiding me and directing mye thoughts to the present. I need reminded so often. Hopefully (on a good day) I will continue to remain obedient.
Joy. Possibilities. Guidance. No regrets.
I really don't regret moving. As always, I must say I miss my job and my friends. I DON'T miss a lot of other things. I don't miss the burden of day care and paying for that and having my kids raised by others. I don't miss the burden of the cost of our house (that we couldn't afford). I don't miss Dave working a DEMANDING physical labor job at least 50 to 60 hours a week. I don't miss the feeling of loneliness that surrounded me frequently. I don't miss the cold (it's Christmas eve and we are wearing short sleeves and going to the park later - LOVE IT). I don't miss the sorrow. I find myself singing in the mornings. This morning (on Christmas eve) Dave had to work. We were both up before work (and the kids were asleep). Dave kept making noises in the kitchen - I thought he was talking to me. "I'm not talking, I'm singing" Dave said. WHAT JOY!
We are making new Christmas traditions. We had Christmas with my parents the day before they left (12/22) with my brother here. YAY! We had a great time cooking together and enjoying each other. Tomorrow - Christmas Day - Isaac (my brother) is coming over in the morning to have Christmas morning with us. Opening presents eating (of course) and playing together. Later in the day we will go to my Uncle Park and Aunt Sylvia's house - where there will be lots of kids for our to play with. historically we would have been alone by noon on Christmas. I love having a busy Christmas Day. WHAT JOY!
Tyler is off school until Jan 8th. It seems like a crazy long time - but I'm looking forward to spending some lazy days together with the three of us (me and the kids) or the four of us (me, my mom and the kids). Tyler's looking forward to a visit to the zoo!
The New Year - will bring a new a revised effort to find a job. I have two that I'm really in pursuit of over the next few weeks.
1. Houston Area Community Services (HACS) - I need to follow up about the "Director of Housing of Social Services" that I interviewed for. The hiring manager said she wouldn't be able to do anything until after the first of the year - due to her schedule and demands. I would do well at this job and slid in to it pretty easily - with a few challenges.
2. On Jan 2nd I have an interview for an Executive Director position at a free clinic in Katy. I feel the need to outline this - if just for my purposes. When I first arrived in Houston I went to a partnership meeting for free clinics. I met Pamela Cobb from Community Health Partners. She has been wonderful person and a great help to me. She has invited me to other collaborative meetings and introduced me to other people. A few weeks ago I went to another meeting - An FQHC was holding a tour of their clinic. So I went - with some resumes. What the heck. I met John Kajandar there. The first thing he said to me (after hearing I was new to Houston) was "Welcome Home". We talked a bit (about people that he knows from Columbus) and what my desires are here in Houston. I want to work with the uninsured and under insured (that would be my first desire, 2nd housing/shelter/homeless). John told me that he would take his resume and pass it on to others. I didn't get his e-mail - but he would e-mail me. This was on a Friday afternoon. I though "Sure, you won't even remember me Monday morning". Sure enough Monday afternoon I heard from John telling me that he knows the head of Community Health Partners (where Pamela Cobb works) named Ken Janda. John told me that Ken is also on the board of a free clinic called "Christ Clinic" and that Christ Clinic was looking for someone to head up the clinic. I wasn't sure what that meant - but I e-mailed Pamela and asked her if she knew Ken. She said his office was right next to hers and she said she put in a good word for me. Then I don't here anything for two weeks. Meanwhile - I pretty much forget about this and move on to applying and interviewing for other jobs. Then last week I got a call from Ken's administrative assistant inviting me to interview for the executive director position. WTF! I have never held such a position and really don't know what they are looking for - but this would be AMAZING. So - of course I say yes. So this whole story "feels" God designed for me. Although I don't pretend to know or understand God's plans - so if it doesn't work out - then it doesn't. But this is how it (even more) feels right. 1. The clinic is open Mon-Thur 9-3. not a lot of hours - although as the executive director my responsibilities would go beyond these open hours - but it could be a position that allows for fewer hours. 2. It's in Katy which is 25 miles out of Houston BUT close to where Dave is working (relatively) AND in a great school district AND with extremely affordable housing. 3. The position isn't even posted ANYWHERE - This board member has just invited me to interview - out of these few connections that I have made. I'm blown away. The concerns I have - 1. What do they expect of an executive director and can I realistically do it? (I guess I will find out more of that on Jan 2nd). 2. It will be a bit of a haul (with traffic) for my parents - I would rather be closer to them. - So - I'm just trying to enjoy today and yet anticipating this possibility.
I feel like I'm trying, praying and asking God to help me stay present and not "dream" about what isn't real yet. God is being faithful. I took a walk this morning early (it seemed like before the city was awake on this Christmas Eve morning) and was remembering and thinking about they ways I have been able to stay present (instead of fantasize). I enjoy life so much more when I stay present (imagine that). My mind then started to turn to the possibilities and imagine what life would be like in a house in Katy with a job there as well. Within a few minutes - I felt God pull me back. Thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me, guiding me and directing mye thoughts to the present. I need reminded so often. Hopefully (on a good day) I will continue to remain obedient.
Joy. Possibilities. Guidance. No regrets.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Blessings and sorrows intermingle
I feel like my life is full of the intermingling of blessings and sorrows. I'm greatful that I'm feeling, seeing and understanding the blessings more easily. Over the last year I knew there were blessings there, but I had to strain really hard to see them through the sorrow. If I pushed back the vail of sorrow, squinted my eyes and focused then I could have pulled some blessings out.
Now I feel like blessings and sorrows are flowing and intermingling.
Just a few practical things. The week before Dave got his job:
The car wouldn't start one afternoon. Dave had been driving it just an hour before and it was fine - but all of a sudden it just wouldn't start. We have left our lights on several times over the last year - so we though it was the battery. Dave took the battery out and took it to a car supply shop (AUTO ZONE or something) and they said the battery was fine. My pressure started to rise. My step dad came home that evening and guess what? They worked on the car for about an hour - replaced a fuse and THAT WAS IT! It only cost a few bucks!!! BLESSINGS!
A few days later Dave and I were taking Micah to the park (Dave's last day off during the week) and the tire to the van was FLAT - COMPLETELY FLAT! These tires are less than 3 months old. Dave, Micah and I changed the tire. Dave insisted that we take it to NTB where we got the tires. They fixed it for free. BLESSINGS!
Dave's new job started last week. We are so excited to have him working at such a great place - Sysco foods. Insurance starts right away (which is huge for us) and things seem very great at the work place. I have not found a job yet - I am really feeling disjointed and sad about the whole thing. I keep praying about it and I feel like God just really wants me to be present in the moments that I have right now - enjoying cooking, being with my kids, riding bikes, playing in parks and relaxing. I am so conflicted and having such a hard time (as I usually do) keeping my mind in the presence. I keep wishing and dreaming for the job that I want. I keep hoping for something great. I am pretty certain (living with faith intermingled with doubt) that God will bring the perfect job for me at the right moment. I am pretty sure that it will probably come sometime in January. It's so hard to find job postings and get someone to interview me in the middle of this holiday season. Until that time I need to press on and continue to apply AND be at peace and enjoy the time with my kids. Over the last year I have continually MORNED the fact that I missed my kids so much - they were in day care 9 hours a day and I was so sad about that. I am enjoying my children - being with them is so fun right now. I get a whole week with them to myself the week of Christmas. All this is very exciting for me. In the midst of wanting to enjoy my kids and the moments that I have with them I find my mind wandering. Thinking, wishing and hoping about a job. Thinking, wishing and hoping about a house. My mind, my imagination - is simply my sin that steals my joy.
Today I can say is a good day. Sometimes I see blessings EVERYWHERE - I don't even have to strain or work hard to enjoy life or the blessings that God is bringing to us here. Then there are times I feel like I'm a total emotional mess. Sometimes I don't feel like I don't have a purpose here. Dave is working, Tyler is at school and when my mom is home - Micah just wants her. So once I have applied for all the jobs that I can - what is my purpose? What am I to do? Why am I here? I NEED to be working. I miss my job in Ohio. I miss my friends; I even miss my house; my furniture.
I am hoping and waiting for one job with HACS - Houston Area Community Services. A combination Housing and Medical services agency. I have interviewed and applied for the Director of Housing Services. The supervisor said that they wouldn't be able to do anything until after the first of the year.
This week I have two more interviews - at places that I'm not so excited about - BUT - I could love it; once I interview and hear the benefits or something. I'll wait and see.
Now I feel like blessings and sorrows are flowing and intermingling.
Just a few practical things. The week before Dave got his job:
The car wouldn't start one afternoon. Dave had been driving it just an hour before and it was fine - but all of a sudden it just wouldn't start. We have left our lights on several times over the last year - so we though it was the battery. Dave took the battery out and took it to a car supply shop (AUTO ZONE or something) and they said the battery was fine. My pressure started to rise. My step dad came home that evening and guess what? They worked on the car for about an hour - replaced a fuse and THAT WAS IT! It only cost a few bucks!!! BLESSINGS!
A few days later Dave and I were taking Micah to the park (Dave's last day off during the week) and the tire to the van was FLAT - COMPLETELY FLAT! These tires are less than 3 months old. Dave, Micah and I changed the tire. Dave insisted that we take it to NTB where we got the tires. They fixed it for free. BLESSINGS!
Dave's new job started last week. We are so excited to have him working at such a great place - Sysco foods. Insurance starts right away (which is huge for us) and things seem very great at the work place. I have not found a job yet - I am really feeling disjointed and sad about the whole thing. I keep praying about it and I feel like God just really wants me to be present in the moments that I have right now - enjoying cooking, being with my kids, riding bikes, playing in parks and relaxing. I am so conflicted and having such a hard time (as I usually do) keeping my mind in the presence. I keep wishing and dreaming for the job that I want. I keep hoping for something great. I am pretty certain (living with faith intermingled with doubt) that God will bring the perfect job for me at the right moment. I am pretty sure that it will probably come sometime in January. It's so hard to find job postings and get someone to interview me in the middle of this holiday season. Until that time I need to press on and continue to apply AND be at peace and enjoy the time with my kids. Over the last year I have continually MORNED the fact that I missed my kids so much - they were in day care 9 hours a day and I was so sad about that. I am enjoying my children - being with them is so fun right now. I get a whole week with them to myself the week of Christmas. All this is very exciting for me. In the midst of wanting to enjoy my kids and the moments that I have with them I find my mind wandering. Thinking, wishing and hoping about a job. Thinking, wishing and hoping about a house. My mind, my imagination - is simply my sin that steals my joy.
Today I can say is a good day. Sometimes I see blessings EVERYWHERE - I don't even have to strain or work hard to enjoy life or the blessings that God is bringing to us here. Then there are times I feel like I'm a total emotional mess. Sometimes I don't feel like I don't have a purpose here. Dave is working, Tyler is at school and when my mom is home - Micah just wants her. So once I have applied for all the jobs that I can - what is my purpose? What am I to do? Why am I here? I NEED to be working. I miss my job in Ohio. I miss my friends; I even miss my house; my furniture.
I am hoping and waiting for one job with HACS - Houston Area Community Services. A combination Housing and Medical services agency. I have interviewed and applied for the Director of Housing Services. The supervisor said that they wouldn't be able to do anything until after the first of the year.
This week I have two more interviews - at places that I'm not so excited about - BUT - I could love it; once I interview and hear the benefits or something. I'll wait and see.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Learning the Landscape
Today I was remembering that I haven't lived anywhere except Ohio since I was 4. Either in the small town of Fredericktown or Bowling Green or Columbus. I have never considered myself a "sheltered" person before. I have traveled to various countries, oversees and lots of different places within the United States. But a visit, even a long one isn't the same as living somewhere.
People: I find that so many people here are so amazingly nice. Genuinely nice and happy. Many people have asked if it's the "southern hospitality" that people seem to believe about people from the south. My mom says that it's because people get more sunlight and therefore are generally happier. I'm not sure what it is, but I like it. :) I have two people in the "social services" realm that are really helping me. Tommy Thompson (an executive director of a small agency helping people obtain IDs) and Patty Cobb (a director of a health care agency) have given me their time, wisdom and connections to help with my job search.
Places: This city is so big and complex at the same time. Practically the opposite of what we are used to (in city layout). 1. The closer you live to the downtown area the more expensive it is and the farther out you live the less expensive it is (with a few exceptions). 2. On the south side of Houston is a few "neighborhoods" that I have visited. When I'm in these neighborhoods I feel like I'm in the middle of a movie or TV show. These neighborhoods don't even get "real" names(typical of extremely poor neighborhoods) - they are called "The Wards" - The 3rd Ward, 4th Ward and 5th Wards. The extreme poverty in these neighborhoods is amazing. The size of just these 3 Wards is equivalent to the size of Columbus. It's overwhelming. Yet when I go there I find that a pleasure center is triggered in my mind. Not because people live in such poverty; but because I might get a chance to interact with people that are different then I am and are amazing survivors. As I drive through these neighborhoods I find myself feeling like I could be in the middle of a movie - tiny homes (probably one bedroom) built beside each other - row after row after row. Some appear extremely unlivable (yet - people are probably living in them) and some are kept very nice with a white fence around them, lawn ornaments and a little old lady in the front attending to her yard or on her porch. Just about ten miles away from these "wards" are some of the richest neighborhood I have ever been in - multi-million dollar homes (easily) - "This is where the Bush's live" my mom says. The extreme wealth and extreme poverty contrast is unbelievable.
Things: Our neighborhood is known (citywide) for it's Christmas lights show. It's fun to walk through the neighborhood and see new set of lights out each night. Whole culdisacs are decked out with Christmas Themes (Christmas around the world and such). It's fun.
The employment culture here is great. Although I hear people talk about how (in abstract) people are affected by the recession, I don't see it. Not like in Columbus. Houses sell so fast here and there are so few for sale. Most "for sale" signs in peoples yard either have a "sold" or "in contract" sign on them. Dave has had so many interviews (and has found a job) and I continue to have contacts/interviews and job postings to respond to.
This place is starting to feel a little more like "home" to me.
People: I find that so many people here are so amazingly nice. Genuinely nice and happy. Many people have asked if it's the "southern hospitality" that people seem to believe about people from the south. My mom says that it's because people get more sunlight and therefore are generally happier. I'm not sure what it is, but I like it. :) I have two people in the "social services" realm that are really helping me. Tommy Thompson (an executive director of a small agency helping people obtain IDs) and Patty Cobb (a director of a health care agency) have given me their time, wisdom and connections to help with my job search.
Places: This city is so big and complex at the same time. Practically the opposite of what we are used to (in city layout). 1. The closer you live to the downtown area the more expensive it is and the farther out you live the less expensive it is (with a few exceptions). 2. On the south side of Houston is a few "neighborhoods" that I have visited. When I'm in these neighborhoods I feel like I'm in the middle of a movie or TV show. These neighborhoods don't even get "real" names(typical of extremely poor neighborhoods) - they are called "The Wards" - The 3rd Ward, 4th Ward and 5th Wards. The extreme poverty in these neighborhoods is amazing. The size of just these 3 Wards is equivalent to the size of Columbus. It's overwhelming. Yet when I go there I find that a pleasure center is triggered in my mind. Not because people live in such poverty; but because I might get a chance to interact with people that are different then I am and are amazing survivors. As I drive through these neighborhoods I find myself feeling like I could be in the middle of a movie - tiny homes (probably one bedroom) built beside each other - row after row after row. Some appear extremely unlivable (yet - people are probably living in them) and some are kept very nice with a white fence around them, lawn ornaments and a little old lady in the front attending to her yard or on her porch. Just about ten miles away from these "wards" are some of the richest neighborhood I have ever been in - multi-million dollar homes (easily) - "This is where the Bush's live" my mom says. The extreme wealth and extreme poverty contrast is unbelievable.
Things: Our neighborhood is known (citywide) for it's Christmas lights show. It's fun to walk through the neighborhood and see new set of lights out each night. Whole culdisacs are decked out with Christmas Themes (Christmas around the world and such). It's fun.
The employment culture here is great. Although I hear people talk about how (in abstract) people are affected by the recession, I don't see it. Not like in Columbus. Houses sell so fast here and there are so few for sale. Most "for sale" signs in peoples yard either have a "sold" or "in contract" sign on them. Dave has had so many interviews (and has found a job) and I continue to have contacts/interviews and job postings to respond to.
This place is starting to feel a little more like "home" to me.
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