An update...

It's interesting how a change in environment can affect a person.

I absolutely love my new place. I love everything about it! My housemates are positively awesome, and I am fast becoming friends with them, particularly Jamie (who is closest to me in age) and Tracy, my "neighbors" (the other two girls' rooms are upstairs, whereas Jamie and Tracy share the room next to me).

I feel much more at peace, and I am loving meeting all the new people I have met so far, chatting with the girls, and all that good stuff. The atmosphere just feels different at my new place. I think it's partly a new start, away from all the drama and stuff going on at my grandma's house. I am SOOOO glad I am out of there. God just knew I needed to be taken out of that situation.

It's interesting how we sometimes don't realize the impact a situation is having until it is no longer there, or no longer needing to be dealt with.

My creative side has been surfacing more lately as well, especially musically. I wrote a song on Saturday. It was one of those cool things where God just dropped it into my head, and out it came through my hands and voice. I even had a chance that night to share it at church.

Church was interesting for me last night, actually. I was kind of off kilter the whole night, but in a good way, sorta. I can't quite explain it. But it started off with me running a little late cause I was piddling around at home, and didn't really leave enough time to get ready. So I am already kinda late, but it didn't really matter, or so I thought.

I check on the nursery to make sure everything is set up and such, then head to our Gathering. My sister came with me, and I went over to get some water, when Heather walks up to me and tells me "You know you're scheduled for worship today, right?". Whoops!!

It's already after 6pm, when we normally start, so I go up to the front, without the sound levels done or anything. It wasn't too bad, except that I couldn't hear much out of my monitor. Then Pastor Billy opened up a time for people to share things that God had put on their hearts to share with everyone. As people were sharing, I felt like God was prompting me to share the song I had written, so I did. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so I just sang it a capella. I was kinda nervous, but I just trusted God to do whatever he wanted to do with it. It was awesome to have that chance to just step out in faith, and see what God would do. I hope it encouraged whoever needed to hear it.

Anyway, things are moving along. Time to get back to work now!

~Marieke