Empty Apartment

   Tis the season for furniture-less apartments. And by 'apartments' I mean our apartment. :) The only furniture we currently have is a bed and two camping chairs which are on our back balcony. The bed was very necessary after sleeping 2 nights on our defective air mattress which we had to repeatedly inflate during the night because it kept losing air. I feel like college students. We are enjoying cooking together and having no obligations :)
   We LOVE Redding! Granted life is pretty enjoyable when you have days on end to just be with your bestie, but we really really enjoy California living. We are both on the job hunt (which is why I am waiting to buy furniture). It can be a little nerve-racking to be living life without money coming in, but we feel we are supposed to be in Redding and are going to be faithful to look for jobs. HE will provide what we need. He has been so faithful every step of the way- I mean who finds an apartment and moves in the SAME day in a new town? Jesus is an extravagant Father and we are filled with hope.
  This last weekend was our first services in Bethel. Let me just say we are going to be SO spoiled. The worship is off the charts. I have never in my whole life seen a group of people more excited to worship than I have at Bethel. You can feel the electricity in the air. There is a sense of expectancy and joy. The teaching is wonderful too.. Friday night we heard Sherri Silk talk on the orphan spirit and how God decides our inheritance. It was anointed. Yesterday (Sunday morning) Kris Valloton spoke. His message was about whole restoration. The Lord doesn't just want to heal us physically, He has come to bring WHOLENESS to our whole being. 
  In addition to the services, Bethel has a beautiful 24 prayer room that we have been taking advantage of. Paul is actually there right now seeking the Lord about jobs and direction. If you think of it would you pray the Lord brings the right jobs to us? Thanks!

Whiskey town- where we go to swim and sun-bathe!

Not bad, huh?!

The water is really clear!

 

Redding

   We arrived in Redding, CA late Monday night (Day 6 of travling). All in all, we drove about 2,500 miles. We went through Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and Cali. 
    Our first day (Tuesday) we got up, went to Starbucks, and started apartment hunting online! Keep in mind, we came out here without housing, jobs, or any knowledge of the city. We just trusted God would lead us to where we were supposed to be. I will be honest and confess that yesterday was a rough day for me. I tend to get stressed by change and uncertainty- I was not the most pleasant human being to be around, but despite my anxiety the Lord was kind and we found a 2 bedroom apartment only a mile or so from school with a FANTASTIC view of the scenery behind it. We were also able to move in the SAME DAY! We had no electricity last night since the apartment had been vacant before, so we blew up our air mattress and camped in the living room :). 
   The apartment we live in is actually 1 out of 4 units. All of the other tenants are either Bethel students or graduates. Our neighbor below us Nick, is from England and has been so welcoming. He had us over for tea when we were looking at the apartment and then we all grilled out for dinner once we decided to move in. We have felt so grateful for friendship and kindness Day 1 in Redding.
   The neighborhood that we live in is also a kind of 'hub' if you will of Bethel students. Once September comes, about 100 students will be living in the apartments and buildings all around us.There is a real sense of community and outreach because the area has been a 'rough' in the past, but has been improving steadily through community outreach and the presence of many students.
   Today we are going to look for some furniture in thrift stores. We also have the electricity being turned on today so I can use my beloved Vitamix tomorrow! Paul already had a job interview today and it would seem we are getting settled in quickly. Thanks for everyone's prayers, texts, calls, and messages. We definitely miss our Omaha peeps!