Settling In

It has been AWHILE since I've written. I guess I'll just jump in.

My first three months in California were very hard. On top of being in a new place and not having friends or community to lean on, I had applied for job after job, went on multiple interviews, and no one hired me. After each interview, I was sure I'd nailed it and would get a call saying the job was mine, but the calls never came. I even started applying for minimum wage jobs--anything that would bring some sort of income into the picture--and still no one hired me. I was hurt, worried, and slightly discouraged. Week by week the "nest-egg" I'd saved to live off of until I found a job got smaller and smaller. I could see the end of my funds quickly approaching.

Each day was a fight inside of me. Everything around me pointed to hopelessness and failure, but God promised to take care of me in His Word. Anytime thoughts of how much I didn't have and what I needed came to mind, I would talk back to them and God. I didn't feel better. I still felt anxious and I didn't know how I was going to pay my bills. But I chose not to think about it as much as I could and to trust God.

God takes care of my needs. God is my provider. God, promised to take care of me so I cast my cares on Him because He care for me. I trust Him. I will not worry or fret.

In my third month, I received a call from a recruiter who happened upon my resume online. It was nothing I would ever consider applying for. I was barely qualified and it was in a field I had no experience in. I shared my concerns and the recruiter laughed them off. He said he thought I'd be great at it and would put my application in. A day later I received a call to schedule an over-the-phone interview. After that, I was called in for an on-site interview. During the interview I was asked if I had experience with a particular program (which was a major part of the position). I told them that I did not. I felt the interview went well, but was sure they'd give the position to someone who actually had training and exprience. But two days later, I got a call and the job was mine! Not only was I hired for a position I did not personally apply for, I was hired in spite of having no training or experience in the field. On top of that, they asked me how much I'd like to get paid, then upped it by 20%!

Once my physical needs were beginning to be met, everything else began to fall into place. Jesus Culture Church officially launched to the public. I started meeting new people and making friends. California began to feel more like a home and less like something I was surviving.

I just want to encourage you to step out in the things in your heart. Sometimes God shows up right away with open doors and miraculous provision, and sometimes He moves suddenly after moving very slowly for a long period of time. The point is: He always shows up. You will NEVER be left hung out to dry.