Monday FUNday

Yesterday, my friend Ricci decided to visit Philadelphia on her day off. She and I are similar in a lot of ways. When she contacted me about visiting on Monday, I responded with a suggested activity that I knew would cement her plans: Trader Joe's! Ricci and I both love this grocery store, and since there aren't many in her area, we made plans to start our day by meeting for some grocery shopping!

After our shopping adventures concluded, we got some lunch and ate in the shade at the Rodin Museum. We paused for a few quick pictures with the Thinker.

After returning to my apartment to put all the groceries in the fridge, we visited the well-known Love sign at JFK Plaza and made our way to dinner. 

Ricci had suggested we do a nice dinner out, to celebrate my birthday (which was in March) and my graduation. Dinner was a delicious mix of swordfish kebabs and fennel salad, spanakopita, and figs and goat cheese drizzled with honey. For dessert, we went to a different nearby restaurant to share tiramisu and salted caramel budino. It was all excellent. 

It was a wonderful day and even better to catch up with a good friend. 

First days in a new place

And I'm back in a city. The second half of May was a flurry of decisions and changes. A friend contacted about a vacant room in a three-person flat in Philadelphia, I began applying to jobs, and resigned from my teaching position. 

Saying goodbye to my class was very difficult, but there were many factors outside of the classroom that were making it more stressful. My manager was incredibly understanding and supportive. One of my students nearly made me cry. When I informed the class that I would be leaving, several students responded by saying, "No! We will miss you." Ana looked at me and said, "Will it be better for you, Hope?" I didn't want to diminish the importance of my life in Harrisburg, but I felt it was important to be honest. I told her it would mean chances for a better job and the opportunity to live in a big city again. She smiled, nodded, and said, "Then we will be happy for you." 

I had an interview on Friday for a teaching position, but after the interview, I felt it wasn't the right job for me. It seemed completely irrational to turn it down on Monday when they called to offer it to me, but it was the decision that gave me peace. I have been blessed by friends and family who have kept reminding that my Provider will bring about a job at the right time. 

This past Sunday was moving day. I've been attempted to reduce my belongings for several months now and that eased the packing process tremendously. Mom, Dad and I packed my things into my brother-in-law's pick-up truck, and off we went. Despite my father's jokes, we didn't resemble the Beverly Hillbillies...much. 

Most of this week has been rainy and cold. As a result, I haven't been out exploring very much. My apartment is on the tenth floor, and it has offered beautiful views of the city with shelter from the rain.

I made my way to one of several local coffeeshops today. (I felt I was in danger of becoming a hermit if I didn't leave the apartment!) The coffee wasn't fantastic, so I likely won't be returning. Given that it could have just been an off day, maybe I'll have to go at least once more! It has a nice atmosphere. Thankfully, I've got several choices in a several block radius around me, including an Ethiopian cafe and a Lebanese bakery (baklava, basboosa, and kanafe a few blocks away...oh my!) I'll keep you posted on my explorations and opportunities in the coming weeks! 

Weekend Pictures

What a wonderful weekend! (How's that alliteration?)  Cee got a crash course in American history, between watching Lincoln and then a trip to Gettysburg on the way to the airport!  I don't think she minded.  It was so nice to be together again.  We all noticed that it didn't seem as though much time had passed.  Val and I decided it must because we had a breadth of experiences to solidify our friendship.  After all, we worked together, worshiped together, holidayed together, traveled together, studied together... for short periods of time, we've even lived together!  That is a lot of togetherness!

Our time together was characterized by an easy camaraderie and lots of giggles.  I'm very thankful for these dear friends!

Hospital Visits

A week ago, my aunt and uncle had a motorcycle accident.  A car pulled out in front of them, making a  U-turn without seeing them.  They went over the front of the car.  We are very thankful that they are both alive!

They were airlifted to a trauma hospital about an hour and half away.  This week has been full of prayers, waiting, and questions.  My uncle is feeling better now, despite bruises and soreness.  My aunt needed to have a surgery to repair her pelvis, the right side of which was shattered in the crash.  She spent the days after the surgery in the Trauma ICU, but she has finally (praise God!) been moved to a less intensive Intensive Care Unit, if that makes sense!  Yesterday, she was able to talk with family! 

She will need a lot of healing in the next months, but we are seeing progress.  

I've felt a confident peace over this last week that can only come from God.  I know I'm an optimist, but this is more than just optimism.  God has been a refuge for us in the last week, just as we are promised.  

Interview Day

In about three hours, I'll be going into my first interview for a teaching position.  This feels like a new world!  It has only been about a year since I started to think about teaching English as a profession.

I'm actually not too nervous.  I have a lot of energy though!  I started my morning with a wonderful spinach/grape/blackberry smoothie! :) I love my green smoothies.  (I balance the health benefits with a big cup of coffee and a generous dollop of creamer.)

My advisor wrote a wonderful reference letter for me to take to the interview.  Her words seem so generous.  I hope I can be the kind of teacher she sees in me.

I am so blessed.  I truly am.  I have friends in multiple countries praying for this interview.  I have a family that has helped me in so many ways through the last year, when I've been figuring my next steps.  Even after six months of joblessness, I have never gotten to the point where I've wondered what I will eat or where I will sleep.  My family has always supported me.  My friends cheer me on and advise me.

I'm continually amazed by the way God has guided my steps.  My first class in my M.Ed is almost finished.  My final project and paper are due on the 11th.  I've decided to make my final project useful.  I'm going to be writing a development plan for a TEFL course for the church my parents are working with in Mozambique.  I don't know if it is something they can implement or not, but I know the church really wants to have English classes.  Who knows? Perhaps I'll be able to take some vacation time and go to help set up a regular program in Beira.  Whatever happens, I'm so excited that my advisor is not only approves of this idea for my project but is encouraging it wholeheartedly.

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

Proverbs 16:9