A long due update...

Inasmuch as it has been freeing not to always be updating for the sake of my work in Norway, I realize that many of you are probably wondering what in the world is going on with this girl that said she would put up updates but never updates!  LOL  Sorry!  Things have been hectic and busy but at the same time wonderful and going really well.

First of all, I have to say that after five months of intensely looking for a job, I FINALLY have a job!  I'm working part time with World Vision in Monrovia, California (about 30 miles from where I live) as assistant to the director of Christian Commitments.  Because World Vision works with many different church denominations and sometimes people of other faiths worldwide, the constant challenge is what we can do to keep the message of Christ uplifted in all our work.  I had been looking for a full-time job, but doors were not opening anywhere.  Out of literally 70-80 applications for work, I only got two interviews, which was extremely defeating to me.  It was at that point I cried out to God and said, "Place me wherever You want me to be because I can't do this anymore."  And only two days later, I got the job at World Vision!  Of course, I would like to work there full-time, but I'm just trusting God right now to either increase my hours or to bring more work along.

Second, I was named the new youth leader at my church two months ago.  This came as an unexpected surprise but rung with peace in my heart when I was offered the position.  It is a volunteer position, but I LOVE working with youth -- I always have.  This is the first time I have EVER been the head leader for a ministry. I have always served under other leaders, but I have never been THE leader.  This is definitely new territory for me, but I really feel the past 10 years of ministry have really prepared me for being able to take on this ministry at this time.  It is really interesting being the one with the visions and dreams and inspiration for a ministry because I have never considered myself to be the visionary -- ever.  I have help as well; Jason one of the other pastors at the church is leading the youth together with me and has been an incredible help in brainstorming and planning everything, which has been a huge relief for me.  Things are going well -- we have about 5 steady youth coming on Wednesdays and anywhere between 11-13 youth coming on Sundays.  It has been really busy with planning events and teachings and activities but has been very fruitful -- so much so that 3 of the youth in the youth group are getting baptized tomorrow!  So we must be doing something right... :)

This is my first Easter home in the States in the past 6 years.  Part of me has gotten used to the Norwegian way of doing Easter -- 5 days of vacation for everyone, low key church services, "jail days" where you can't go anywhere because the bus isn't running, the first days of sun and life after the long winter.  But at the same time, I have really missed getting dressed up in my Easter best on Easter Sunday, and REALLY, really having a huge service with music, dance, drama -- all to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.  Last night, we had a Good Friday service where we had music, Communion, watched a few clips from "The Passion of the Christ," and reflected on Jesus' death.  It was a powerful time that brought me to tears... God is so good to us.  He didn't have to send us His Son to die for us, but He did.  I can never repay all He has done for me, so I receive this wonderful gift in faith!

And tomorrow is Easter, complete with baby dedication, baptisms, new members being received into the church, music, and celebration!  I am so excited for tomorrow...

Well, I hope this update suffices for now and you all have a wonderful and blessed Easter!

Gretchen

Christmastime is here

Well, I didn't go to the job interview on Monday.  I checked up on all the jobs Bankers' Life had, and they all involved sales or recruiting -- two things I'm terribly horrible at doing.  It wouldn't have been a benefit to me or the company, so it wouldn't have been a wise use of my time.  But I did set up appointments to meet with 2 temp agencies next week, so hopefully, I'll be working some temp jobs and eventually get hired on to a full-time, well paid job :D  I'm still a firm believer in that God knows what He's doing, but it is easy to get discouraged in the job hunt.  I'm applying for all these great jobs, but no one is "biting."  It's the same with everyone, unfortunately.  The more and more I talk to people, the more and more I realize it isn't just me, it's this economy and everyone wanting all the same jobs... But God knows best...

Tonight I was at a church Christmas dinner / party.  We had a WONDERFUL time -- good food, great conversation, and fun gift exchange (though no one really "stole" any gifts!  lol)  We had the best table too -- Bob (from Ireland), my mom, dad, sister, Vince, and Jason; we had non-stop laughter the ENTIRE evening... oh man... like the craziest things we did in high school, our least favorite foods, and all manner of silly stories.  I was so glad I was able to be there and connect with all kinds of people; it's usually really difficult on Sundays because things are so busy, so it was nice to sit down and chat with people and reconnect.

Well, tomorrow I'm playing on the worship team... or at least I think so!  Should be fun.  Last Sunday, our church put our worship band on a float and participated in the local Christmas parade, and we won first place in our category!  Video to come.

I should get to bed now...  early morning tomorrow morning!

Job Interview Jitters

Tomorrow is my job interview, and I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.  It is with a company called "Bankers Life," and they offer life insurance and other services to senior adults.  They said there were sales positions and management positions... I'm not too confident in sales and would never take a job in sales because that's NOT my passion.  But I could be interested in management.  In any case, they asked me to come in for an interview tomorrow, and I thought since they called me, it would be nice just to see what kinds of positions are available, and what they're looking for.  It never hurts to try, and besides which, it's something to do...

Then I'll be meeting with my pastors tomorrow before the interview to talk about my future involvement in the church.  I'm looking forward to meeting with them and seeing where I fit into the big pictures.  I'm really excited to be back at my home church and serving together with the people I love so much -- my church family.  They really are a great group of people, and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful support group in them.

Well, that's that... on to getting things ready for the Christmas parade my church will be in this Sunday (I'll be playing piano on the float) and getting everything ready for my sponsor thank you dinner next Monday.

Gretchen

Life is good...

Life is good, and God is good... I have a car coming my way and a job interview on Wednesday at 1:00. (I just found out about that one tonight!) Not too sure about the job, but at least it is a start!

Now, it's time to get ready for bed... good night!

Changing gears

I'm doing well, but I'm changing gears... it's like I'm still trying to land from being in Norway for so many years. I'm trying to find my bearings and to learn how to live life all over again with my time here in the States. My room has been complete chaos the last week with trying to put everything away (and get rid of some truly OLD stuff to make room for my new things -- and I thought all of that was OVER!) -- definitely not up to "Gretchen Standards." And then I've had to make some MAJOR shopping trips the last 2 days to get all the basics to start up again -- everything from clothes to toothpaste to a new watch! And even then I still haven't purchased everything I need; I'm constantly remembering things I forgot to buy. And then I just had to buy a new cell phone (with extremely high rates compared to Norway!) because my Norwegian one has decided to suddenly stop working altogether. Then I'm trying to find my place again in my family and with my friends and my home church. And then there's a job and the American working life all over again... And my devotional life is also in the midst of change right now too! I'm reading from a devotional book right now and spending more time in prayer, and just trying to let everything adjust and settle down before I decide on a new devotional plan...

So many things are changing right now, and I'm glad I'm not working right now. I'm looking for jobs actively, but I'm taking it easy and trusting that God will provide a job at the time when I'm ready. All I can say is that everything is changing right now, and I'm not pushing myself too hard in anything right now. I need to take time to adjust and cool down and process. I know things will be difficult these coming weeks, and I will need my friends so desperately. I will need to just talk and PRAY with them and just release all my thoughts and feelings inside. It will be a big, jumbled mess for awhile.

Yet, I know more than anything that it was a good time to come home. God is up to something good. My family needs me. My church needs me. I need to be in LA with lots of sunshine! God is good... I'm sure my ramblings will continue on for many weeks, but ahhhh, it feels so good to get this all out right now. mmmm

I'm home

Well, yesterday, I came home. The flights went by without a hitch, and my boxes came through safe and sound without anything missing, though a ribbon for one of my sweaters and one of my scarves managed to almost fall out of the one of the handholds on the box. I'm so surprised they stayed in there! LOL

It's so weird to be back in LA, and this be my home again after Norway being my home for so many years. I don't think it has quite hit me yet that I've moved home! I've been unpacking and trying to get my room in working order because I can't stand it being messy. I'm trying to figure out where everything should go and actually getting rid of stuff I don't need anymore here. I thought I was entirely done with the purging process in leaving Norway, but oh no, it is still going on. There are quite a few things I still need to get rid of here before I can fit everything I brought back from Norway into my room! LOL Oh well, at least I have some time this week to get it all done. I've decided to take off the rest of this week and start looking for jobs again next week. Everyone in Norway was so generous to both Tylene and I when we left, that I won't need to worry about getting a job right away. Of course, I'll be looking, but I have more than enough to get started here and survive at least the first month or so until I land a good job. :) That's exciting to me.

Otherwise, things are going well. It's super warm here -- just like a Norwegian summer and sunny -- a nice change when we had rain non-stop for one month in Kristiansand. I do miss everyone in Norway, and I know that it will take some adjustment to get back into the American culture. But I will be back to Norway for a wedding in the summer and am already looking forward to it.

Keep me in your prayers if you happen to read this. I will need them a bunch as I get ready to jump into the American culture again.

Until next time,

Gretchen

2 more days...

2 more days, and I'm ready to go now. I've been a constant ball of emotions the last 3 days, and I'm just exhausted from saying "goodbye." It's all been so wonderful the goodbyes from everyone, and our going away party last night was WONDERFUL -- fun and sad all at the same time. We are truly loved by such a wonderful church and group of people here...

Tylene leaves tomorrow :( And then I say "goodbye" some more... and then early on Wednesday, I travel home. I'm excited :)