Permanent?

So, it has been a long while since I've written. I think blogging is one of those things that is easy to put off, but then you realize that you have so much to tell... well, you never really know who you are telling, you just know that whoever it is, you want them to catch up on stuff going on. Or maybe it is just a way that I use to feel closer to home/people/something familiar. Anyhow, we've been just going along with life these last couple of weeks. Colby is really getting into the semester and that means a lot of "reading nights" which is a good thing because I have finally overcome my non-reading funk left over from nursing school and read with him! I am amazed to hear what he is reading and learning, and I must say that it is fun to see him gaining so much knowledge (he has always been the smart kid to play the "fun guy" role, but he seems much more serious now!). We've continued to enjoy our time together. Last week, we rode the ferry from the next town over right up to the Giants stadium... it is right on the water! We enjoyed the game (even Colby although it was not the Braves) and realized that hot days do not mean warm nights in San Francisco... we were bundled up with hoodies and winter hats - at a baseball game!

The next big event: we celebrated our 2nd anniversary on Tuesday the 22nd! Although I had to go to Oakland for a pre-employment physical and set up my "personnel file" with HR, Colby had a lovely evening planned when I finally got home! We had a beautiful sunset dinner at a restaurant right down the street that is literally on the water. They are famous for their sunset views... behind the water is beautiful Mount Tamalpais which the sun sets behind. We enjoyed our yummy italian dinner while reminiscing over the last two years and how much has happened and wondering what we will be looking back on in 10, 20, 30, etc years! We feel so incredibly blessed and sometimes I feel like God has swept us away on an adventure and as long as our hearts are surrendered to His will, there is only more adventure, surprise, blessings (and challenges!) ahead! We have also planned a beach horse back ride sometime in October... a life long dream of mine - to celebrate these two years!

The permanence is setting in and it is both exciting and unsettling. Exciting because I think we are actually feeling somewhat "at home" here, but it is unsettling knowing that means life is going on in Georgia - without us. This seems to bother me more than Colby, but maybe that is just because he's been busy with school. I was looking at my new badge from work sitting next to my old one in the car and it just seems so real... we are out here, we are staying, this is our home now - it is sad. More time equals more distance and that is kinda sucky. It is a harsh reality of "growing up"... heading into a new, wonderful, exciting chapter in life, but at the same time, leaving a different kind of wonderful behind. The thought of an indefinite time here with no idea when we might come home (although we are hoping for sometime during the holidays... but not sure what holidays I'll have to work) is scary, but I am so relieved that we have a great dose of home coming very soon! Colby's sister, Elizabeth is going to be our very first visitor! She flies in on October 6th, then when we take her back to the airport on October 10th, we'll be picking up Michelle, one of my best friends from college! I think this will be so good for us (or maybe just me?) to be able to make some link between this life and our Georgia life... someone to see "our town" and our home. It is funny the pride you can take in such simple things as "And this is where we go to the grocery store, and this is our favorite restaurant, etc." I cannot wait :)

Lastly, I start my job on Monday, I repeat MONDAY! I initially thought I would start October 12 after Nursing orientation, but my manager called me today to see if I could start earlier. From a financial standpoint, this is awesome... but I must admit, I am a little anxious! I think it has been long enough though... I am bored of just being at home doing uuber "wifely things" (aka cooking, baking, cleaning, etc) and nothing else :) It has been a nice break, but I am ready to be back to work. I will have to update after this coming week to let you know how it goes!

We love you and (obviously) miss you!

Twobrewers

Marin Life

So, I feel like we (especially me because I am the worrier in this duo) have breathed a sigh of relief since I got the job offer and can let our hair down even more than we had! I am hoping to start work either the last week of September or first week of October...it really just depends on how quickly they can process my background check. I have really been trying to get everything around the house super settled before I get started at work and this included a little project. There was a really "unloved" wicker chair kind of shoved in the corner of our apartment complex...my mother taught me well and I know a spray paint resuscitation when I see one! After checking with the "Lane Ambassador" (a fancy title for the "go to" person in our complex), a few cans of spray paint, cute cushions, a tiny table and plant turned this eye sore into a welcoming site outside our front door! I think it needs another coat of paint, but will do for now. I have included a picture :) We have also been enjoying ourselves around town. We went to Crissy Field in San Francisco where they have a beautiful beach! (This is the photo with the seagull) It was a nice warm day, so i took off my sandals to walk in the waves: BIG surprise, it was FREEZING! We have quickly learned these beaches are only for swimming if you are wearing a wet suit! Another adventure was lunch in nearby Tiburon. A quaint little town in Marin county right on the water with a ferry and yacht marina. You can see Angel Island and the whole city!

One of the biggest loses that we have felt so far in SF is our church at home in Watkinsville! We have been on the search since we got here and have decided that the church we left is irreplaceable and are trying to refocus our view to find the right fit for this season of life! Today we returned to First Baptist San Francisco...which I might add is quite different than most Southern "First Baptists"! It is a really old building right in downtown, located next to the Castro district which is a stark contrast to the field that FBC Watkinsville is located in! It is the biggest melting pot of old, young, single, married, black, white, asian, hispanic, wealthy professionals, and even homeless; and although it is out of our little bubble of a comfort zone, it is a beautiful reminder that the Body of Christ is just as diverse as the cells of our own bodies. Where else can a Medical resident at UCSF and a special needs homeless man join together in unity and claim that they share the most central part of life: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Today, after church we went to the Long Beach district, which is San Francisco's version of Little Italy. We ate at a cute little bistro table on the sidewalk at a restaurant called Calzones! I feel kind of like I am living someone else's life when lunch after church is a romantic get away with tourists driving by in buses taking photos and some of the best people watching you've ever seen! Our waiter was a round, jolly Italian man in a vest and tie and he smiled the funniest smile and he brought our calzones and pizza to us...I really felt like I was in a movie! I have seen the grace of God and the truth in His word when He says that if earthly fathers give good gifts to their children...how much more will our Heavenly Father give perfect gifts to us! I am humbled and blessed by this special season in our life and as the days and weeks pass, I am so aware that all of these little moments are some that we will treasure until we grow old. Homesickness is creeping in at times when we least expect it, but usually does not stay for long: we just cannot believe that we have been away from Georgia for seven weeks!

We would LOVE to hear from anyone who actually reads this thing and hear what is going on in your lives back in Georgia (or San Fran, or wherever you may be!)...a quick e-mail or FB message would make both of our days!

Love you and miss you more and more,
Twobrewers

PS: for some reason, this thing is not letting me add the photos...I'll try to add them later :)

NO LONGER UNEMPLOYED!!!!

BIG NEWS: I went for my third and final interview today and a couple hours later the manager called me back to offer the 72 hr/pay period position!!!!!!!!!! I was in shock! I told Colby I don't think I have been that relieved/excited/shocked since I passed the NCLEX (the nursing license exam). I really had to just be in awe of the Lord and His sovereignty. This was a job that I almost didn't apply for because I felt so under qualified for, but Colby convinced me that it could not hurt to just apply. I can honestly say that I have been given favor with this hospital, just like Esther! Now, that I actually got the job... it kinda freaks me out! The thought of intubating a 23 weeker and placing/suturing umbilical lines and maybe even inserting and securing chest tubes seems quite intimidating! (Apologies to the non-medical readers for the nursing jargon) BUT, with all that aside, you all may rejoice with us because I am quite confident a LARGE part of me receiving this position was due to all the prayer from sooo many family members and friends - we have been overwhelmed by all of your encouragements and prayers! I am so thankful for situations like these where I cannot take the credit because it continues to teach me that God is so much bigger than we are! He goes before us and behind us and beside us...he knew that I would need this job before I even dreamt of moving to California. The great thing about this job is that since it is full time, Colby really won't have to get a job: he can have all the time in the world for reading, paper writing and learning who the Lord is calling him to me as a minister! Although he is considering substitute teaching for high schoolers just for fun.

As Colby has been studying "people groups" for his MAIS, he was telling me last night that we fall into the "Sojourners" category. This category is for people who are in a certain place, but only for a short amount of time; in other words, they are not there permanently. As I was praying last night, I was thinking that as Believers and followers of Jesus Christ we should all be living our lives as "Sojourners". I know, I know...this has the possibility of sounding a bit philosophically cheesy, but think about it. For example, although I am living in California right now, I still consider Georgia my home. It is where my family is, it is where friends are, it is where familiarity is, it is where I am most loved. Although I am making the best of my time in California and loving, loving, loving it...I am looking forward to going back home! Is that not what we are called to be here? Diligent in our work , loving and serving people, but always, always with our thoughts and affections in the direction of Heaven, our home? I feel if I can humble myself enough to consistently accept this, I will be a much more joyous person knowing that this is not my home...I am just passing through! So when the homesickness for Georgia starts to creep in (which I know it will...and already does a little at times) I can rest knowing that I will not truly be home until I am home with the Father.

Thank you all again from the bottom of our hearts for all the prayer... we really need it!
Love you all,

Twobrewers

First day of school and job interviews!!!

So, I just know all of our faithful readers have been holding their breath, and obsessively checking Facebook/e-mail waiting for the latest update! Sorry to keep you waiting :) To be honest, I've been a little scared to talk about all the job opportunities/updates...afraid that I would psych myself up and then be let down. But I am feeling confident now...just returned home from Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley for my second interview for this position. I have my third and final "group interview" on Friday at 10...the manager said I should know for sure by Friday afternoon or Tuesday at the latest about this position! So excited. I feel confident trusting in the fact that the Lord knows what Colby and I need, he has known exactly what we would need before we even decided to move out here! We are asking and trusting that I will be given the 72 hour/pay period position rather than just one of the "on call" positions...please join us in these prayers! This position is definitely not what I thought I'd be doing, mostly hanging out (and by hanging out, I mean working) in Labor and Delivery attending all deliveries and going on a few transports. Kinda scary too, I'd have to learn how to intubate, put in lines, etc! (For the non-nurse readers that basically equals scary stuff that nurses in Georgia are not licensed to do!) I see this as a great learning opportunity, but if I get this job I will really miss the continual care of babies and their families...I do love those little chronic kids! We'll see where we end up!

In other news...Colby has been fully thrown into Grad School! Last week was the first week of class. He has two classes at Golden Gate (going towards his Masters of Divinity, or MDiv) and he also has two classes for Union University (going towards his Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, or MAIS). That is a mouthful...and a heavy academic load as well! He has already read 2-3 text books, had a paper due and had his first of 4 "intensive weekends" for the MAIS program. This weekend seemed pretty cool though. They met Thursday evening to discuss the project for the weekend and their reading assignments. Friday, they split into teams of 3-4 and went into downtown San Francisco where each group was assigned a specific district to begin doing "ethnography" research. They had specific tasks to accomplish, but a lot of the goal was to observe different cultures. As luck may have it, Colby's group was assigned to the Castro District. He ended up appreciating this learning experience because it is a place he would never have visited on his own....considering that this is the Gay district in San Fran. He had some interesting stories to tell me when he got home! The culture here is so different, God is using it to challenge and stretch us to love those who we may be a little uncomfortable around...this was great practice!

We love you all and wish all of you could experience the presence of God in our lives out here! Even in the midst of uncertainty, we can rest knowing that our God is one who never changes...He is always faithful!

Twobrewers

P.S. Colby and I took a "test drive" to Berkeley so I would be confident to drive there on my own for my interview and we had to crack up at God's sense of humor to find that the hospital is located on Colby Street :)

An Emotional Roller Coaster and a Walk in the Clouds!

Hello all!  This week has been a crazy one!  As I continued my job search, we were determined to enjoy this last week before Colby starts class (in a budget friendly way, of course!).  Our list of activities included driving/exploring our new community and getting lost a couple times!, Muir Woods (where we bought a season pass, so all visitors with us get in free...hint, hint!), lunch in Downtown SF at Pier 39 and a look at the resident Sea Lions there, and last but not least, today we walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and back, then drove around for scenic views and through Sausalito.  This is the next town over...it is right on the water and absolutely gorgeous!  This part of the week was incredibly fun.  Colby and I realized this week that thanks to long distance dating and night shift after we were married, this is the most time we have ever spent together (this includes dating!)!  It has been a really special time for us to grow as friends and partners...although I think it is safe to say we've gotten on each others nerves a little bit! (but just a little)

It is so good to say that God is always faithful to us and although this week has been an emotional roller coaster on the job front, it has been proof that He did not bring us out here without a purpose and plan.  I think we were both fighting off fear about the fact that neither one of us had jobs, but trying to stay strong in the Lord.  On Tuesday night, I started feeling a little nervous that I was under-qualified for jobs I applied for blah, blah, blah.  The Lord immediately brought Esther to mind.  Esther to the rescue!  My favorite book of the Bible :)  The Lord gave Esther favor with everyone in whom she came in contact with so that she was in the right place at the right time to do His will for her life.  I went to sleep in peace, knowing He'd do the same for me.  By the end of the next day, I had...not one but FOUR prospective job opportunities in front of me!!!!!  A couple of them were not really ideal, but now I am looking at two very seriously.  One is a NICU travel assignment that is really far away and temporary, but I can start now and it pays well.  The other is a permanent NICU transport position at a hospital about 30 minutes from our house....this is what I am really looking for!!!  (NICU transport would be riding in an ambulance to pick up sick babies and bring them back to a hospital that could take better care of them...very simply put.)  We'll see how things go for this job:  I have an interview on Thursday morning!

Back to fun stuff!!!!  Today, we picked the perfect day to walk over the Golden Gate Bridge!  It was really warm (and by really warm, I mean high 70's) where we live in Mill Valley, so we jumped in the car in our shorts for the 5 minute drive to the Bridge parking area.  I quickly realized I was glad I still brought my jacket....the wind from the ocean was sooo strong and COLD!  It was beautiful though, and there was a light wispy cloud just over the lower part of the Bridge and water....we were literally walking through the clouds!  And you could see the clouds just billowing over the mountain tops, it was amazing.  We could hear big boats going under the bridge honking, but in the middle of the bridge we couldn't see a thing!  Not even the tall red towers....it was so neat. 

After walking there and back, we drove to a lookout on the Marin County side of the bridge.  It was awesome - you could see the whole city!  We could not believe that we live just 5-10 minutes away!!!!  We continued our drive down the mountain and then right along the water until we arrived back home.  It was a great day, we cannot wait to see what else awaits us out here.....

Love and miss you all,

Twobrewers

201 Mahon Hall :)

So this is the official, far away tour of our new home!  You walk in the front door into the dining area.  To the left is the dining table, to the right is the kitchen and straight ahead is the living room.  Our kitchen is super tiny, but somehow Colby managed to squeeze everything in the cabinets!  It kind of reminds me of the size of this really big walk in closet we had in my house growing up in Snellville.  The living room is a good size with two windows with an awesome view of an inlet of the San Francisco Bay.  There are seaplanes taking off from here everyday.  We think they are just resident's private planes...but they could be some type of tour - we are not really sure, but it is cool!  In the background, you can see Mount Tamalpais.  Some days a cloud will hang right over the water - this is a sign to wear pants and grab your jacket because it's gonna be cool and breezy all day long!  Moving through the living room and into our bedroom, the office area is immediately to the left.  Colby's desk and file cabinet with printer fit perfectly here!  Obviously, our bed and dresser are in the bedroom and surprisingly we have a place that will be perfect for an armchair.  This is what Colby would like to be his "thinking chair" because according to his boss from NextStar this is essential for every leader to have :)  Next, you'll make your way into the bathroom.  It is pretty small, but has everything that we need!  Hope you enjoy the photos....let me know what  you think!

love and miss you all,

Twobrewers

Home Sweet Home....we're getting there!

Hello all!  I has been a while since I last posted and A LOT has happened.  The biggest news......WE MADE IT HERE!!!  We left Bakersfield, CA on Monday morning and had one last drive (through all of the beautiful farmland where produce is grown!) before reaching Mill Valley!  We checked in and held our breath as we turned the key to our new 575 sq. ft. apartment.  When we opened the door...we were pleasantly surprised!  Our building is the most recently renovated so that means: new carpet, paint, windows, kitchen cabinets, counters and appliances and new sink and bathtub in the bathroom!  We are also on the second floor, which made moving a bit more difficult, but will be worth it because we have vaulted ceilings, so although it is small, this helps open up the space.  We have an amazing view of the water (not the Bay facing the city, but an inlet of the Bay) with mountains behind it where we can watch the sun set in the evening!  As far as the community, it is wonderful...although we feel a bit out of place.  The same exit as the seminary is home to mazeratti, ferrari, land rover, astin martin and several other car dealerships, and multi-million dollars homes with views of the city and docks on the Bay!  They told Colby in orientation that anything under $45k/year is under the poverty line....a big change from Georgia!!!  But everyone is really friendly and we just consider ourselves super lucky to live in such a nice place for such a great price! :)

Thank the Lord that two neighbors saw us moving in and volunteered to help and we were glad to see that the packed boxes all fit inside....the question now was would we be able to find a place to put all of it away!  So far, so good.  We still have to put together bookshelves, and unpack the stuff that goes on them, but everything else fits wonderfully (tight, but wonderfully!).  In between unpacking, we got to eat dinner with my cousin, Susan, who just happened to be in town for a conference!  She was officially our first visitor!  It was great to have one more dose of "home" :)  I will post some pics as soon as we get this place in order...hopefully soon!

Yesterday and today, Colby has been in orientation all day so he's met a bunch of new people and been overwhelmed (and bored!)...you know, the norm for any type of orientation!  Last night, though, we had two gatherings that I got to go to as well!  We ate dinner and met all of the people in Colby's Global Studies Cohort.  (This is the program that he will be earning his Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies degree from.)  All of the students in the cohort go through the same classes and do their overseas ethnography research project together, so we'll get to know these folks really well!  Next, we had dessert at a dinner that was hosted for all of the new students who were married.  It was an opportunity for us to meet new people and also for me to learn about all the stuff they have around campus to create a community for the wives.  

We were both excited last night having met new people and seeing a glimpse of the awesome educational opportunities for both of us!  And also a little less stressed after speaking with some of the other wives that are nurses, encouraging me to just stay strong and I would find a job soon!  I know we are still sort of in the "honeymoon" stage, but I can really see that God has specifically placed us here to learn and make relationships that will last a lifetime!  He continues to stretch our faith and urge us to trust in Him alone waiting for the right job to come along for me (and a part time one for Colby too!) but we have continuously been reminded of all the other times He has been faithful to us and know that every good and perfect gift is coming down from the Father of Lights...He never changes!

We love  you all, miss you and wish you could see the awesome city we live in!  (That is an open invitation for any visitors at any time!)

Twobrewers