Things are still going great in my life! I have the most amazing boyfriend, who has truly exceeded every expectation that I’ve ever had. I never even dreamed that it would be this good. God is so very good, and this kind of relationship is worth every second of waiting. I so grateful that God wouldn’t allow me to sell out or settle for anything less. There is so much more I could say. I love every moment that we’re together, and hate parting even if I know I’m going to see him the next morning. He treats me like a princess, and I just pray that he feels as honored from me (I think he does). I never want him to feel like anything less than the man of God that he is and that he’s called to be.  

Sunday morning went well. I was a little nervous at first, but relaxed quickly. The teaching flowed well, and my pastor asked me to continue the teaching this week. My pastor’s wife also gave me another project to work out a teaching on. Once I have something together, I will be able to teach again. I’m very excited about it, because I really enjoy teaching. Hopefully there will be more to come in the future.

The lease issue has been resolved. We (my boyfriend & I) both feel like God is saying to stay put until the lease expires in February. We don’t know exactly what my next step will be at that point, but we have 4 months to figure that out. In the meantime, I will be going through my stuff and determining what stays, goes, trash, garage sale, etc. So, that is all for now. Definately more to come! Stay tuned!

Things are clicking along just wonderfully. I have high As in two of my three classes. I haven’t figured my grade for algebra just yet; not really sure I want to know. I’ve determined that I’m not going to stress any longer about making an A in this class. It would be nice, but even nicer at this point is just finishing with a passing grade. I decided that as long as I make it through I will be satisfied. If I feel later down the road that I need to boost my GPA, I can always retake the class. I always struggled through math in high school, never believing that I would make it, and upon looking at my transcript managed to come out with Bs and a couple of As.  Not really sure how, but I’m certainly not complaining! I’m sure that I will come out just fine, like I always do. I have a tendancy to underestimate myself whenever I’m not confident in the subject. As for my other two classes, I am totally stoked to have the high As in both of them. My sister will be so proud to know that I actually read the assigned short stories, make 100s on my quizzes, and study. Yes, Jen, I’ve turned into you! I have somehow (nothing short of the grace of God) managed to complete all of my assignments, study, help others study, work a 40 hour week, and spend time with my new boyfriend. I’m tired, but as the saying goes, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

To update on the status of the new relationship, in a word, WONDERFUL. Tomorrow is the one month anniversary of our first date, and it simply amazes me how connected we are to one another. We talk all day via text messages, and we see each other as much as possible. There has not been one day in the last month that we have not talked. Last weekend I had the opportunity to meet his daughters, and they are such dolls. They are 9 and 5, and fantastic. We have titled the 5 year old as “our little spy” as she kept catching us trying to sneak kisses. Both girls have asked when we will get married, an idea that they are fully on board with. He says that they both really like me, and I really like love them already as well. 

Last night my pastor’s wife asked me if I felt like teaching one of our sessions this Sunday. I told her I would love too. I’m really nervous, but very excited. I have a lesson guideline, so that will help immensely. I really feel like I have grown a lot over the last several months, and it feels good that she can see that as well. I know that she would not have asked if she didn’t see progress in my life. The pastors are very careful, of which I am appreciative, of who they allow to speak into the lives of our church. Not to say that someone has to be perfect and have it all together to get to minister, but there must be some evidence of forward movement.

I do still have one area that I am seeking His will on. Ok, there are many, but one in particular is more in the forefront. I need to know if I should pursue trying to get out of my lease early to move to Texarkana before the holidays, or just stay put for the remaining 4 months & then move. Everytime I think about talking with my landlord, my mind goes crazy. I start thinking about all the things that she could say, like I would not get my deposit back, and that I would have to keep paying rent for the remainder of the lease, etc. She is a Spirit-filled Christian woman, who has done a lot to work with me over the several months that I’ve lived there, but she is also a business woman who must protect her interests. I don’t know if the hesitation I feel in having the conversation is actually the enemy trying to bind me up in fear or God telling me to wait. I really need peace & direction. I am not, for the first time, in a position to where a decision HAS to be made today. It’s just the 30 minute drive to and from New Boston is starting to get old.

I have been hesitant to post about this topic, as I wasn’t really sure where it was going. I have been seeing someone for almost a month now, and I have never been happier. He met some of the family this past weekend, and he didn’t run off screaming! That’s a big deal! He was very brave; having dinner with my parents (dad actually behaved) on Friday night, and then went with me to a wedding on Saturday night. He is everything that I’ve ever wanted, and more. I pray every night that I can make him as happy as he makes me. October 25th will be the one month anniversary of our first date, and the 17th is the anniversary of the night he asked for my phone number. It seems like we have been together longer. We actually have known each other for a long time. We both went to the same church in Texarkana several years ago. He was just coming out of the youth group and I was in the singles group (yes, I’m older than he is). We never really ran in the same circles, just attended the same church which was fairly large. And here we are, so many years later, and we’re dating. We reconnected in the English Class at TC that we both are taking. It’s such an amazing ride! Sometimes I feel like a schoolgirl. We both have been hurt in past relationships, and are having a great time learning how to respond accurately to one another. Of course, we are so new in our relationship, that we really haven’t come to any conflicts that have needed to be resolved. We are still in the “live to please the other” stage. It’s wonderful! I know that it won’t always be this easy, but I do feel that it can always be this fun. I will continue to post about the latest developments, but will try to refrain from the ooey, gooey details. There’s just too many to post anyway!

Everything is going wonderfully well in my life. I just found out that my next paycheck (this Friday) will reflect a $1 raise.  I am very excited about that. I did not fail my algebra test, which is completely surprising. I did however make some very dumb mistakes, and without those mistakes could have had a B instead of the 78 that I received. But such is life. I’ll take a 78 over failing any day! There are other developments in my life that have me very happy, but I am not ready to disclose any details at this time. I am extremely grateful for where God has me at this present time. I am learning to just rest in Him, and only deal with what He sets before me. If I try to deal with other things before He has directed me, it will only lead to much frustration. I’m tired of living a frustrated life. He is sooo good to me! I can’t believe I spent so long resisting this place that He has brought me to. I was afraid; of what I’m not so sure now. For there is nothing but goodness and mercy in Him. Thank heavens He redeems our time!