A Friendly Hello

Hello friends!

How have you been? Are you having a lovely summer? I'll be honest, I'm ready for the heat to abate some.  I'm just tired of sweating. It isn't ladylike. :)

Central Park at twilight

So, once again, I have let too much time lapse in between posts (I'm still blaming the fact that I don't have wireless internet at home. Would you ask Stephen King to write his next novel on his iPhone? Didn't think so.) This has been an insane summer for me. So much has happened and so much has changed.

In Which I Almost Became Homeless...

My boyfriend, James, came to visit me all the way from England

Long story short, my living situation got a bit tricky and I was trying frantically to find somewhere to go, only to end up... not moving. haha It was a little scary there for a while and I thought I might actually have to go to a shelter or something because I just wasn't sure how I was going to make it work. I am very thankful for my roommate and her generous hospitality in allowing me to be able to stay with her until I'm able to find another place for myself. (Hint: It shouldn't be too long)

In Which I Thought I Had Cancer...

I didn't really talk about this to that many people, but I found a small lump in my breast at the end of May, so this summer was a barrage of tests and doctor visits, as we tried to figure out what exactly was going on.  I'm very blessed to tell you that at this time, I do not have cancer.  My doctor wants to see me again in January as a follow-up, but he seemed to think that I had no reason for concern at this time. Thank the Lord!

One of my favorite places (and not just because it was in an episode of Doctor Who...)

In Which I Lost My Job... and Found a New One!

I got to have breakfast with The Bs and Angie!

So... I started working for S&P in January, with the idea that I'd be with them for at least a year's time.  I enjoyed working at S&P. I liked my co-workers. I love a challenge and this job was definitely challenging to me, so after months of training, I was finally on my own, when... my second half funding fell through. I was greatly disappointed. But God had another plan for me.  Only two days after I was put "on hold" at S&P, I was contacted by Sarabeth's Bakery to come in for an interview.  I interviewed with them the following day and was offered the job about two weeks later.  It was so much more than I had ever expected! When I moved to this city it took me months to find work initially and here I found something within days! God was so kind to provide for me that quickly.  It could have been so much worse. I've been at Sarabeth's for about a month now and I am enjoying it.  I have a great co-worker who I enjoy working with and working for Sarabeth is quite an adventure! She's lovely and so much fun!

Bonnie came to see me! Love that girl!

As for the rest of my life... I'm keeping fairly active with my church. Hanging out with friends, both old and new, and just trying to beat the heat! The humidity here is just awful. haha I miss my family and friends, but I am loving my life here and still can't believe that I'm living in the greatest city on earth! I spend a lot of time in Central Park. I finally visited The Met! and I'm walking all the time. Discovering new neighborhoods (or nabes as they refer to them here) and finding beauty in everything around me. I'm attaching some pics of my adventures for any who aren't on Facebook and want to see. :)

New friends and a trip to the Met's Rooftop Garden! Breathtaking!

Anyway, that's a basic life update. I'll try to update again soon. Just know that God is taking care of me and I am doing alright. Someday I'll have wifi and be able to update more easily and more often.

Much love,

♥ Rebekah xoxo

When Life Overwhelms You...

Hi friend!

Happy Wednesday. We've reached Hump Day. It's basically the END of Hump Day. We're halfway there! I don't know about you, but this last week and change has been a lot. I've felt pretty overwhelmed by life in general. 

I keep thinking "okay, God, let's be honest. I can't possibly handle anymore." And yet He keeps piling it on. Because I'm still not getting it. The fact that I'm saying "I" can't handle anymore means I'm still counting on myself to do it. And "I" can't. 

I know I'm not the only one who has a difficult time relinquishing control. It's not that I don't think God is able. It's just that I think I'm able, too, sometimes. That's when I get weary. That's when I become overwhelmed. Because you know what? I'm just not able. The only way I am is when I let Christ take the control. When I am weak, HE is strong. And I'm tired of being the strong one. Or, let's be real, TRYING to be the strong one. 

Tonight, I'm dwelling on these verses:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7 KJV)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1 KJV)

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalms 61:2 KJV)

When I am struggling and life is uncertain, God is my certainty. He is my shelter and my refuge. He's brought me this far and He will not forsake me. ❤️

The One Where We Dyed Easter Eggs

You guys! My roommate and I dyed Easter eggs tonight! It's only amazing because I realized yesterday that I've never actually dyed eggs before. We always had them for Easter, but my mom always did them. (Thanks for doing that, Mama ❤️) So... It's time for me to be a grown up and dye my own Easter eggs! Hehe

First, I think I ought to confess to you that... I sorta cheated. Yes. It's true. I didn't do the traditional Easter eggs with so many drops of food coloring and the smell of vinegar permeating the entire apartment. I bought... Egg dye cups!

I found them at CVS for $1.99! They came with little dye tablets and cups for each color. Just add vinegar and tepid water. How cool are these?!

Plus, it came with a little egg dipper:

(Don't look at the egg. This one was cracked.)

The dye cups also came with a wax crayon that we could draw on the eggs with and make designs before dyeing the eggs.

Exhibit A: Roommate drawing on egg with aforementioned crayon.

Ready to see the finished product?

Tada!! I'd say my first forray into egg dying was an EGG-traordinary success! Too much? :)

Happy Easter everyone!!

Sights & Sounds

Hi!

I feel like I ought to introduce myself, considering how long it's been since I posted anything here. 

"I'm Rebekah. Welcome to my blog."

In all honesty, I really miss blogging. I could give you loads of reasons/excuses. But I won't. I will only ask your forgiveness, kind reader. Thank you ❤️

Today was a gorgeous day. I sat outside during my lunch hour. The air still has a chill to it, but the sun was out today. The kind of sun that soaks your skin and makes you feel warm all over. Almost like it's asking for your forgiveness for staying away so long and leaving you cold and grey. I am fairly reasonable, so I will consider it.

The river is alive today. I feel like alive is the only word that truly captures the essence of the river as it is. It sparkles with sunlight. It churns and chops as barges crawl past with their cargoes and boats go by brimming with passengers (read tourists). There is constant movement. The Brooklyn Bridge has its own glitter. Cars the size of my pinky nail trek across, going to and from Brooklyn. Glinting in the sun. From my office, later in the day, the Manhattan Bridge has a similar effect when the trains race below. A long streak of silver. 

The smells of this city are both new and familiar. It seems to be a heady combination of pizza, coffee, and street meat. And sometimes garbage. It all blends together to produce a scent that IS New York. Sometimes that's good. And sometimes that's bad. That's just the truth. 

As I sat by the river, watching the water and the tourists move past me with equal fluidity, I just enjoyed the moment. I let it wash over me like the sun and just let myself appreciate the unique beauty of this city and the beautiful gift of life and thanking God for allowing me to be a part of it.