Live from New York, It's Monday Morning Live

Thought I'd post a quick update as I'm eating breakfast in SoHo (how cool is it to say that!?).

This weekend in NYC has gone so quickly; I can hardly believe that it's already Monday and I'll be back in Utah this evening. I've fallen in love with NYC. I love the energy here, and now, after being here for the weekend, I can see myself living here and loving it. (Before visiting, I couldn't quite picture myself here. Now I can.)

I attended the Bushwick 1st branch (LDS church) in Brooklyn yesterday...and fell in love with that also. We had about 40 people in Sacrament meeting, which I understand is fairly typical. The branch is an eclectic mix of people, although I'd say about half are young couples from BYU. I feel good abt moving into the branch, so I'm going to try to find a place within the district boundaries (which the branch clerk just sent me, haha -- guess they are a little excited to have me join the branch!). The RS president is a single sister that reminds me very much of Em's sister Croc; we were instantly friends.

I've been staying in Harlem with the uh-MAZE-in KShum. (Yeah, I kinda like her and all that!) Despite the negative connotation historically associated with Harlem, I actually felt quite safe the entire time. It's been fun to see her and go on adventures with her. We already started a NYC "Activity Bag" for when I return.

Aside from getting a little lost yesterday when I was trying to navigate my way through 3+ trains each way from Harlem to Brooklyn and back again (due to weekend train stoppages and construction), I've been fairly successful navigating the subway system. It's been fun figuring it out--and there's much more exploring to do!

I feel that the weekend has been successful, even though (as of this moment) I am not leaving NYC with a job offer or a specific place to live. I'd hope to have more clarity on those important details...but nothing yet. There IS a possibility of a job at KShum's office, but nothing official yet.

This weekend has been another lesson in patience and trusting that the Lord is in control. I started to panic again last night as I realized that this Friday is my last day of work at FamilySearch...and I still don't have a job . When I prayed about it, though, I felt again the serene peace and the feeling that the Lord is aware of me and is preparing a way for all of this to work out. I need to keep trusting that He will part the Red Sea for me now.

Speaking of the Red Sea, I read that account in Exodus 14 last night. Something that struck me about that experience was that, unlike in the Hollywood adaptation where Moses spake and the Red Sea parted instantly, in the real version, Moses spake and the Red Sea parted...but it took all night for the Red Sea to part. I wonder how that affected the Children of Israel? They urgently needed to escape, and here was the Lord providing a way...but it still took time for the way to be prepared. Did they continue to worry, sensing that Pharaoh's army was closing in on them and their escape wasn't quite ready yet? Did they fear that the escape wouldn't be ready in time to use?

I'm also reminded of the promises of paying tithing found in Malachi--specifically verse 11.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

Here I can see the Lord promising us--and in the case of the Children of Israel, reassuring them--that He is in control and He will not allow opposition ("the devourer") to overcome us while we await His way to be prepared.

(Btw: Lawrence Vincent gave a wonderful BYU devotional on this subject called "Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Miracles.")

Anyway...that's my report. I'm going to finish my Dunkin' Donuts hot chocolate and go explore a little more--maybe buy a Kate Spade homage purse on Canal Street. :)

Thanks for all of your love, support, faith, and prayers during this crazy time in my life.