Blessed

Blessed is the only word to describe this last month. Job searching was a miserable adventure but it ended with both Ryan and I getting jobs within the 2 weeks we started to search for them. Every time we tell any one here that we were employed so quickly they act very surprised and tell us how fortunate we are. The next obstacle was  getting our cars registered here in CA. That would have been a lot easier if my car would have been working.
With a low bank account I took my little car in to be fixed. Around this time we found out that we had to get our cars smogged and if they did not pass the emissions test that we would then have to pay around $350 to get the correct parts put in our cars. My mind fell from acknowledging how blessed we were to panic. I sat at the mechanics feeling very unsettled. While I sat there I started to read a book called, "Crazy Love" which describes how Christians have fallen in mediocrity and the author believes that it is because we misunderstand God's love. The chapter I was reading talked about justified stress. We tend to be worrying people and we try to justify our worry and stress to God by showing Him how important our issues are. The real issue is that we think we are so important that we have put God in a secondary position. What needs to happen is that we need to lay everything down and die to this idea that we have more important things than serving God. This requires us to die to self.
I have heard this concept many a time but it screamed at me this time. I laid the book down and tried to set aside my fear of failure. I battled between letting go of my stress and fear of not having financial means to support my self ( what if I was in an accident? My prof. told us that medical debt can haunt your entire life.) I presented every horrible situation to the Lord and He continued to remind me that none of my worries were eternal. I slowly relaxed and soon the mechanic came in telling me my car was fixed. The next day I went to check the smog and my little Saturn passed. I was overjoyed, to the point that the car shop men must have thought me very strange. I registered my car and passed my driving test (although it took two attempts and even when I passed the DMV only gave a permit until I proved that I was older than 16!!!)
Yesterday the sermon the pastor spoke on was dying to self. He reminded us to not settle for being Christians but disciples. Then, he told us to take all the thing we thought were important off God's throne. So, I think God is trying to tell me something- LET GO! So that is exactly what I have been doing for the last 24 hours! :) Letting go of MY life and not worrying that the life God has for me is going to drive me to destruction (dumb but honest fear!). First pay checks have yet to come but I'm not worried. Thanks for reading!
We are OVERJOYED for:
-Jobs
-Beds to sleep in
-cars that work and are legal!
-Loving families
-Seeing best friends this month to celebrate a new marriage!!!!!!!
-God's provision
-God taking control so we can stop worrying
- Gods guidance

We are asking for:
-Some more money to come in for Ryan to get a new car (to get his car fixed and eligible for CA standards is going to be over $1000 and the car is nearing its end any way).
-Cheap car insurance
-Constant reminder to live for Christ
-Community and friendship
-Guidance in starting nursing classes (Jan 2011)

California, the new frontier

Ok, I am going to make this as short as possible!
The Drive:
NM: Beautiful scenery
AZ: Hot and not as fun to drive through
SoCal: Even hotter with bad roads and  agricultural inspection
Conclusion: Longest trip of my life! Our cars made it and we did not have a flat, accident, or anything of any kind.

Redding:
We arrived to Redding on Tuesday the 29th (?). The moment I pulled into In-n-Out my car began to steam. It was stressful but turned out to be nothing at all. Two days after we arrived Ryan's brother and sister-in-law came out to visit. Seeing familiar faces in this new and strange place was such a comfort. We went out to lakes, climbed a small mountain and saw some waterfalls- great introduction into the area we are trying to call home.
This past week was spent in front of a computer looking for jobs and fixing resumes. Neither Ryan nor I have had any responses from the applications and resumes we have submitted, kind of discouraging. I did get an animated offer to grow legal marijuana but i passed. People keep telling me that the job search might take a while and deep inside I just want to prove them wrong.
Ok, there is a lot more to tell but I am too tired to recount it all.
Please pray with us:
-That we will find jobs (sooner rather than later)
-Ryan will get his housing figured out
-That we will continue to settle in (getting everything registered and transferred to CA)
-For patience and peace as we face the unknown
-For community and good friends
-Provision 
Join us in giving thanks for:
-Food
-Cars that work
-Abilities and gifts we have to offer
-Hope
Thanks for reading
Peace,
Jess

California here we come!!

I feel like I have lived out a year in the month. Weddings every where, trip home, moving! Tomorrow Ryan and I start to make our way toward Redding. First leg will be 11 hours to Albuquerque NM and from there we hope to make it into California the next day, just outside of LA, then onto Redding! The trip is looking long and treacherous for my little Saturn.

It is hard to wrap my head around all that is going on. Coming back from Ecuador was not easy, never is! I had such a wonderful, renewing time while I was home. I was introduced to this concept while I was at JBU called 'Thin Places'. The idea is that there are physical places where we can connect to God in a unique way. Ecuador is that place for me. The mountains are majestic. The beauty is silencing. The rhythm of the city is familiar and sweet. No matter where I go, this is home. And this is where I hear Him best. On this visit He told me that my faith was mediocre, I didn't even argue. Looking around I couldn't believe that I had become complacent toward my God. I felt like each interaction was a sort of call to an authentic relationship. My conclusion: Let's do it!

So, we leave tomorrow! Scared, excited, anxious, you name it. PRAY CHRISTIANS PRAY!!!!!!
Give THANKS for:
1. An awesome trip home!
2. AMAZING parents! ( meaning mine!)
3. The spirit of adventure!!!
4. Tu fidelidad
ASK
1. Our cars make it with out problem
2. Safety
3. Jobs (I'm thinking within 2 weeks!)

See ya in Cali
Peace,
Jess

Down to the wire!

Since I last wrote there have been some awesome new developments:
1. I have a place to live with 3 girls! I just finished skyping with them and it was great. They gave me a tour of the spacious house I will be living in. In addition they told me I did not have to pay rent for the month of June- score!
2. Ryan also has a potential place to live with his sister ,Heidi.
In other new, I turned 24! I am excited to see what is in store in these 'mid-twenties' years. I had a wonderful birthday with the wonderful people I have been able to build relationship with in these last 5years.
Amidst all these wonderful thing there is still a lot going on. My housemate, Meredith, is getting married in a week! (Exciting and eventful.) I have to move out of our cute little house within these next 2 weeks and then head off to Ecuador (WOOHOO)! When I return Ryan and I will make our way to California.....
All this to say, please think of us and pray for us as we:
- Attempt to ship a few items to Redding (pray for good prices!)
-Search for jobs!
-Pack up and then drive two somewhat unreliable cars to CA!
-And last for the dental work I will have done when I go home.
I am excited and anxious about the new adventure. This past year and a half has been filled with uncertainty and stress with not knowing what to do next in life. God has filled my heart with joy and hope these last couple of months as we have planned to move to Redding. I learned that sometimes you have to step out in faith, not knowing exactly where He is leading, and I can say (for now) that I am glad that He asked Ryan and I to step out and take this opportunity!!
Peace,
Jess

And we're back.

Hi Everyone,

I am revisiting this blog because I seem to make big plans and I forget to inform people. When I leave places behind, I don't want to leave the people as well. I do not have roots in any one place and now I understand that people (family and friends) are my roots. Every one needs a support system, and mine seems to be spread around the world. So, this is my attempt to maintain relationships- hoping that my blog will encourage you to stay in touch. You don't have to read this every time and if you want to be taken off the email list, I will take you off- I won't be offended.

Quick update-
Ryan and I are planning to move to Redding, California after I return from Ecuador on June 23rd. We do not have jobs, nor do we have places (that's right, much to popular speculation, we are NOT going to live together!)  to live (although I just got in contact with 3 three girls who live in a house close to where I want to go to school and it looks promising). Did I mention I want to do a 2 year advanced Nursing Program.
So here are some things for you to think/pray about!
-Jobs for Ryan and I
-Places to live
-Functioning cars
-Growing faith as we step in to new and exciting phase in life
Peace,
Jess