Friendversary

Facebook informed today that it was one year ago that I met these three lovely ladies. This past year has been a blast and it's thanks to these girls. They welcomed me with open arms and always made me feel included and loved from that first night we met.

I had just moved to Tulsa just over a month earlier and was stepping out of my comfort zone to check out a ladies Life group in the area. I have been blessed to have incredible women a part of my life and I knew if there was even a chance of me liking Tulsa, I had to meet some girls to hang out with. I am so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to that Life group a year ago.

It has been an amazing year with lot's of laughter and memories being made.

So thankful for these friends!

Storm Season

Spring is upon us which also means that it is storm season here in beautiful Oklahoma.

I have loved the warm weather, the birds singing, the sunshine, and the warm breeze.

But today made me re-think this whole "living in the state where the most tornadoes come through each year" thing. 

The thing about yesterday is that no one was really expecting it. We were supposed to get thunderstorms and even though tornado season is upon us, no one was really expecting them yesterday. 

Let's just say that I am really not a fan. 

But thankfully I was home and I was safe.

And I have wonderful co-workers and friends who call and text me to make sure I am ok.

Alright, I'm ready for fall now!

My Office

I am slowly trying to show you more and more of my life here in Tulsa. 

I'll be honest, it's been hard to know what to blog about. I want to keep blogging because I love it, love connecting with other bloggers, and love looking back and seeing all that God has done in my life.

What I am doing now isn't any less significant than what I did in China. I am still working with orphans and still uniting families through adoption. 

It just looks a little different now and it has been hard to figure out my role in the here and now. Not just in my job, but in life as well.

Anyways, I finally got around to decorating my cubicle!

I was inspired by Pinterest and I thin it turned out pretty well. 

Since I probably spend more time here than in my apartment, I wanted it to look cute and inviting.

I got the idea on Pinterest to buy fabric to add a bit of color. I love the gray fabric I picked out and it was on sale as well. 

Even better!

Since this is the shelf right above my computer, it is kind of hard to reach since I have to reach over my computer. So I decided this would be my decorative shelf. 

Right now I have pictures, my lamp from Thailand, tissues, chapstick, lotion, and eye drops (I have had terrible eye allergies the last few weeks... I'd appreciate prayer!). 

Those little mason jars I bought at Hobby Lobby for less than a dollar and painted the inside of them. I then glued some beading around the top and a flower and they turned out pretty cute! I may eventually put some fake flowers in them. 

The book I received for Christmas from my Grandma: "Signs of Life" by David Jeremiah. 

I have been reading each morning and oh my, does it make you think! 

I highly recommend it.

My bigger mason jars which I am using to hold my pens, highlighters, scissors, etc. 

 There you have it. 

A little peak into my office space or my "home away from home."

Happy Friday!

Stay warm all of my NY friends!

Whirlwind

What a whirlwind it has been around here. After months and months of applying for jobs and waiting, applying and waiting, these last few weeks have flown by and it can S.L.O.W. D.O.W.N., that would be fine by me!

On October 9th (just over a month ago), I applied for a position at Dillon which I saw posted just 2 days prior. On that same day, I received my first call/phone interview with them. On October 23rd, they offered me the job. On October 27th, I accepted. And life has been going non-stop since then. My first day of work will be December 8th (!), and we are leaving here on December 2nd to move me to Tulsa. All that to say there is a lot to do before then, plus there is a holiday (hooray for Thanksgiving!) thrown in there!

Yesterday was a productive day. I spent most of the day going through my belongings and deciding what is going to Tulsa with me and what is staying here for the time being. My mom, sister, and I also did some shopping last night and my kitchen has a pretty good start so I can do some cooking once I arrive. I had saved a few of my gift cards from last Christmas for this very purpose. Merry Christmas (from last year) to me!

I also think that I've found a home! I have been searching for apartments the last few weeks and called about 9 or 10 different places on Monday. I have a book full of notes and just trying to make a decision. After sitting down with my Mom, I've decided on a place. Applied online and paid my application fee. Now it's just waiting to see if they accept me! It looks like a great apartment, safe area, and the best part? Only 2 1/2 miles from my office! Please pray with me that this will all fall into place if it's meant to be.

How am I doing emotionally? For the most part, I have been holding it all together. But I'll be honest, it's very bittersweet. I'm so excited about my new job, the people I'll work with, and most importantly the mission of the agency, to help bring sweet children home to their forever families. I am also excited to move to a new city and experience a new adventure. But, it's been SO NICE being home with my family these last few months. Spending time with my family, attend my siblings sporting events, help out where I'm needed, see my nephews, and just being near family. Leaving again is going to be so hard. But, I really feel like this is what I am supposed to do and so I'm holding onto that. But yes, I'm scared.

"Being confident of this, 

that He who began a good work in you 

will carry it on to completion 

until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

Direction?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He WILL make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

I am taking a little break from my 30 Day Photography Challenge. I know, I'm not even a week in, but I don't know how people do this. It's a big commitment! And right now, my thoughts and my heart are elsewhere. So we are just going to take a little breather. I will eventually pick it up again, but not sure when that will be.

Which leads me to this: I am asking for prayer on some big upcoming decisions I may have to make. Prayers for direction and most of all, peace in whatever happens.

I have been in the US for 3 months now. And it has been such a challenging yet wonderful season. God has taught me so much during this time and continues to do so in this season of waiting and trusting Him for next plans He has for me. I have been praying for the right doors to open and at the right time. Right now, doors are opening. But I want clarity on whether this is the right door or not.

Won't you pray for me? Another huge leap of faith may be right around the corner. But am I ready for it? On my own, absolutely not. But with His help? I did make it to China with the Lord's help and I know He will continue to show me the way to go and be with me each step of the way.

"My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me."

John 10:27

River Boat Cruise and Last Day

The other night we did something a little unique and special and went on a river boat cruise! 

Katrina, the foster home's medical coordinator, came with us!

Just gorgeous!

Group shot!

And because I know you love seeing adorable baby pictures...

In other news, yesterday was my last full day here in Zhongshan. We have a driver picking us up at 8:30 p.m. this evening to take us to the airport for our very late flight. I am staying strong and said some tough goodbye's yesterday, but I know today will be another story when I say goodbye to the kiddos.

Please keep me in your prayers, especially tomorrow. Also pray for safe travels for my Mom, Kiah, and myself. We will be arriving in Buffalo Saturday evening.

Thank you so much for coming on this adventure with me!

Last Few Days in Pictures

Today I really dropped the ball on documenting our day but I will try better tomorrow. We had a crazy busy morning which started off by talking to my Dad and then Skyping my nephew who turned 5 today!  We then spent some time with the toddlers before lunch and then headed downtown to show my mom and sister around "my town." I'm embarrassed to say I only took one picture. Like I said, I'll try to take more tomorrow.

After walking around for a few hours, we headed back to my apartment to drop out some groceries and then off we went to our local pizza place for pizza, greek salad, and nachos. Oh my were they delicious!

Since I don't have pictures from today, here are some pictures from the last few days.

I absolutely love this one, especially in the black and white.

The kids just love Kiah and she is so great with them!

Of course we all already knew that my mom is a natural.

The little sweetie who I had the privilege of naming after my brother a few months ago and who my parents sponsor.

It is hot, hot, and hot around here! We attempted to cool off the other day with a visit to our local smoothie shop.

Mango, watermelon, and papaya. Delicious!

On Thursday, we had my "Going Away lunch." Our director will be flying to the states in just a few days and so we had my farewell party a little early. It was a wonderful afternoon full of good food and great fellowship. I am truly blessed by all the amazing friends I have met here these last two years and I will miss them all so much. 

Kiah was brave and tried chicken feet! She actually liked them!

My Mom and my "China Mom." Janice, our director's wife, has been such a huge blessing to me these last few years when my mom wasn't always able to be here to give me a hug or a listening ear because of the time difference. I am blessed to have two amazing women of God in my life.

Sarah and Kiah. They have heard about each other for the last two years and have finally met!

Delicious food, as always. Have I mentioned how much I'll miss the food?

Our director was able to get several good "group shots" which I will share soon. I have loved my "home" for the last two years, the amazing friends the Lord has placed in my path, and the wonderful staff at the foster home. I will miss them all so very much. Dreading the "see you later's" that will be coming this next week.

Guangzhou Zoo

For those of you who know Kiah, know that she is a big panda lover. She always has been. She collects pandas (she was only allowed to bring two with her to China and she has already bought another one here) and so it was necessary for her to see a real, life panda while in China. So today, even though it was hot and humid, we went to the Guangzhou Zoo! 

Kiah and her "pandas."

Unfortunately it was so hot that the pandas were not outside but trying to stay cool. Kiah didn't appear to be too disappointed, she was just so excited to see them!

There he (or she) is! She is taking it all in...

They are so adorable.

Apparently we had to come all the way to China to see raccoon's. Back home, we find them going through our garbage! We thought it was hilarious how excited the Chinese were to see raccoon's and deer but I guess around here it's not too common.

Trying to cool off with ice cream and Popsicles! They didn't help too much but they sure were yummy.

Fish...

And more fish.

Asian elephant!

Lesser or red panda! It looks kind of like a cross between a fox and a raccoon.

Love this girly and her love of pandas.

We are hot and tired, but we made it!

Once we arrived back in Zhongshan we took naps and spent the evening holding babies. Sorry, I haven't gone through those pictures yet!