looking back and moving forward

::the past couple weeks::
sometimes it's still a little crazy to me this is our home. we have officially lived in texas for three weeks now. in the past three weeks we have applied for many jobs, interviewed, worked, experienced texas heat, hung out with several friends, been sick and settled/settling into our apartment.

this last week has kept me very busy at my [part time] job. yes, i found a job! the store is called Sprouts, and is a natural, organic grocery store not far from our apartment. the hope/plan is to work here until something happens with substitute teaching or {God willing} a teaching job. i also plan to run errands and help out a woman and her family from the church we've been going to.

coders has had a couple [part time] interviews as he continues to look for permanent employment. two have been at nearby golf courses and next week he has an interview at costco.


::presently we...::
...continue to look for permanent employment. the mr. continues to take initiative in looking jobs and follow up on positions he has applied for. personally, i feel my seeking has come to a stand still.

...have been decorating our apartment! a fun challenge to make this apartment our home. as promised, will post pictures when all is said and done. i'm hoping by the the end of the weekend. i'm tired of the odd and end pieces still lying around.

...sometimes miss nebraska. every now and then i miss my the 3 F's. family, friends and the farmers market. thankfully, this grief is not followed up with regret, bitterness or guilt.

...are thankful. as we've been processing through this transition, i have really tried to start naming thing's that i am thankful for. so far, this has been more of a thought process but i want to make it more. i need to make it more. i think that looks like writing it down. 

...are still praying that the Lord would open a door. we also pray the Lord would show us where he would have us serve and for peace in the times of discouragement. there are so many thoughts on this that i'm not sure how to put into words. and i'm learning that's okay.


::what future looks like...::

{obviously} look for careers and figure out our next steps

discover the dallas metroplex [any suggestions??]

a week from today...husker football!!

for the first time in my life, i am not dreading the fall! in nebraska the fall meant winter was right around the corner. which meant [very] cold weather. i'm looking forward to the fall/winter in texas. yes, parents, you can brag all you want about the beautiful weather now but just wait for the phone call in january...

finish these books [and explore Goodreads]

[read now...use later]

new locations

i know, i know, i know. i should have wrote this blog a week ago.

but, here it is. 

beggars can't be choosers, right?

some of my excuses for my lack of blogging:

- unpacking

- applying for jobs

- reconnecting with friends 

- being sick

::unpacking/apartment::

we really enjoy our apartment! everything is unpacked now it's a matter of finding the right spot for it all. our apartment is bigger than our last but has less storage space. [which has become a fun challenge for me!] currently our dining area has a wall covered with boxes which has made a bit of an eye sore. our plan is hide the box wall with curtains as a means for storage. a majority of these boxes contain classroom items so if i find a job, this will solve some of our storage problems ;)

/job hunt\

speaking of the job process, we daily are looking and applying for careers. so far, i have applied as a teacher and substitute for 3, going on 4, school districts. cody has been making connections, looking at companies are in the area, and applying for jobs. we also have started applying for part time jobs while we look for the real ones. 

{friends}

it has been so great to reconnect with friends that live in the area! we have been so so grateful for them helping us unload the u-haul, informing us of what we need to know about the area, and simply just hanging out with us. it has made the move here so much easier and welcoming. 

|sickness|

right when we moved, an infection developed on my leg from an ingrown hair. we believe it's probably from the lake when we went to visit cody's family in branson. so our first day was spent at an urgent care getting the medicine i needed to heal it. 5 days into the antibiotic, i started getting a small fever and feeling achy. turns out i was on the wrong antibiotic and had to start a new one. thankfully, i am feeling much better now. 

[prayer requests]

- we would find jobs? specifically, career jobs?

- peace and wisdom during this time of job seeking

- we would trust in the Lord and seek HIM first

music

i love music. 

so often i don't know how to express my thoughts or feelings but can hear it in a song. 

and so often God will still my heart with music. 

here was the song that brought me to tears this morning at church:

this song came on the radio on the [long] drive:

i will blog about the drive, visiting Cody's parents and of course, our new home.

short, short version - we have loved it! we have an apartment (!) and have been slowly unpacking. we have felt so welcomed and loved by our friends here. there are still moments fear tries to take over but am constantly reminded of Gods goodness and faithfulness. 

but for now, i must go enjoy some blue bell ice cream :]