Joshua.

In making the decision to leave Portugal for Colorado, I knew that the road connecting the two places would be a difficult one. I knew that going from feeling connected and at home in Portugal to feeling the same sense of belonging in Colorado would be a journey filled with dramatic ups and downs and unpredictable moments. The past month has been filled with just that.

The other day, following a conversation with my boss who has generously let me stay in his home with his wonderful family, I realized that I wasn’t doing so well. The worries about finding another part time job to balance my CAI income, a place to live and people to live with and a car were almost suffocating me. The pressures and ensuing needs of finding community and friends to create a support system were overwhelming. The fact that Portugal is still holding my heart was causing my emotions to run a little crazy as the fears of the future were reeking havoc as well.  I found myself in tears on the phone with friends and family, one of whom was my dear sister-in-law Rochelle. The next day, with the help of his parents, my beyond adorable nephew, Joshua, had memorized a Bible verse just for me and even managed to record it in hopes of being an encouragement to me.

I found myself in tears again for multiple reasons. First of all, he is so cute I just couldn’t help but cry as his most loving and proud Auntie. Second of all, his little words in the innocence of his voice, helped stir my heart to believe that what he was saying was actually true. That night, I listened to it over and over again, and as I did, I could feel my fears, doubts and worries slowly fade. I found that his little words built my faith to believe that God was still in this with me. Some where along the way, I had forgotten. I’m sure this is a reoccurring human experience, doubting what we know to be true, but I’m so glad that my little nephew was there to remind me.

Since then, I’ve continued to explore my new surroundings, build friendships, and try to figure out the remaining pieces to the puzzle. One of which, I am happy to say has recently come into to place. Last week with persistence and a brilliantly written essay submitted to a pretty grunge, vintage and happening coffee shop, I landed a new part time job! Starting next week I will be fully employed, part time with with Christian Associates International and part time with Kaladi Brothers Coffee! I’m going to be a real live Barista and I can’t wait! I still don’t know why they hired me as I have no crazy piercing or tattoos and no experience within the coffee industry, but I am so excited to learn about coffee, roasting, and drink preparation! I’m also so excited about the relationships I will get to be a part of not only with my fellow employees but also with the clientele that will inevitably darken the doors on a daily basis! I really feel like this job will be part of a healthy balance of administrative and relational roles for my new life in Denver!

As it stands, I am still looking for a few more pieces of the puzzle to fall into place, such as some good friends to live with, a place to live that is situated near my new coffee shop, some cheap furnishings for said apartment and a car that will be mountain savvy for future Rocky mountain adventures. However, though worry still threatens me, I know that God’s faithfulness, especially evidenced in this new job, will come through yet again in every other area necessary! Thanks for coming along with me on this journey as I attempt to live a life of faith in real ways!