Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds, cannot change anything. - George Bernard Shaw

I'm feeling a bit depressed so if that's what you sense from this post then you've been warned as to why.

I hate to admit it but I really don't like when things change in my little world. It's bad enough when you sign onto Facebook in the middle of the day and the format has been changed, after you've been on there several times that morning and it was delightfully regular. But, for me those things I can adjust to rather quickly, it's other things that are changing right now in my life that aren't as easy to get accustomed to.

So, here's a few things that are changing here at the ministry house that I live in;
Patty is moved out.
Devan is moved out.
Kevin is moved out.

That's a lot of people moving. It is especially going to be hard with Kevin gone. I have known that Devan and Patty are moving out and thankfully Patty is just down the street but Kevin just decided to move out. He's preparing to move onto seminary down in L.A and needs to save money so he's decided to say the $325 and move in with his parents until he decides whether he's going to leave in January or in the summer time.

It's kinda crazy that I care so much that he's moving out. We've only known each other since June when I moved back to Modesto, but since then we've spent a lot of time together while figuring out how best to serve the ministry house and in what direction we'd like to see the houses move, plus in all that time just getting to know each other as brother and sister in Christ. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that he's become a very good brother and friend. I don't care that he says that he'll, "be around" it's not the same :(

And now it shall be interesting to see where the houses go. Kevin and I will continue to work on the logistical paper work but after that is when the real fun begins. So, please pray for God's will in the direction and vision of the house.

And with this whole changing thing...sometimes I don't really like myself changing. It's easier to just be the same, not change the way you think or act. Then people don't have to adjust to your new ideas or the new way you behave. Of course, I don't agree with this. I wouldn't want to go back to the days before college and before God really got ahold of me, but there are those moments when no one gets me and actually make fun of me or get mad at me and for just a second I wonder if it's worth it...but then I have a great conversation with a friend who gets me or start reading the Bible and am reminded of how much I've grown and what God has done in my life and I thank HIM for it! Read more!

Vine House

I love writing down my thoughts and ideas yet it's taken me FOREVER since I established this blog to actually write anything down! I hate when I do that.

But, I am really going to try to at the very least write once a week or so, even if it's just pictures or an article that impacted me. And I am opening up this blog for all to see. I had another on-line journal that only a couple of friends knew about but this one will be "broad casted" so to speak. So, I warn y'all that this is merely my thoughts and reflections. Most likely you won't agree with me always, if ever and that's okay. If you feel the need to tell me that I'm wrong then please do so in a civilized, non-combatant way. I love to dialogue about things, I do NOT enjoy fighting.

Now, on to more important things. I am 5 months into living on the west-side of Modesto. Crazy. Sometimes it feels like I've been in this house for a very long time and other days it feels like I just left Fresno. Those are the days when I miss the Pink House, my amazing community of friends who loved so well. But I know God really does want me here on Vine Street for a purpose and He has slowly revealed some of those reasons even in the last 5 months.

I've been going down to the Vine House for the past few weeks. The Vine House is something completely separate to my house. The Vine House is run by Cheryl Van Horn, a great lady-of-God. She has a group of volunteers who comes twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays to feed folks from around 9-ish to 11. They offer snack foods, cookies, pastries and coffee. I haven't really gotten to know any of the frequent participants but I have fallen in love with the volunteers. They have become family and probably don't even know it. They are all very sweet. Victoria is one of my favorites. She is a cancer survivor and used to be a drop-in at the Vine House and is now giving back by serving there. Very sweet lady. There's a couple other ladies who are sweet and fun. Then there's Bob who lives in the back of the Vine House. He's an older gentleman and has the most amazing spirit about him. He calls me all sorts of cute nick names and reminds me that I'm a star. He's definitely grandpa material. And Harvey is a preacher! That man can't help but get excited while praying. But Don is one of my favorites. He's a blind man and LOVES to help whenever he can but the best part of who he is (that I know) is when he talks with Jesus. He starts off every prayer by saying, "Hey God" and ends by saying "See you later." I've never heard someone with such child-like faith pray and every time it seems to touch me. His prayers are always shorter than everyone else's and he normally stops just short of crying as he prays for the folks that came to eat that day but I truly believe he's one of those people who has it down on the prayer thing.

I've really been blessed by serving at the Vine House. It's funny when you go to serve and feel overwhelmed by God's love. Good stuff.

Shalom Read more!