I've decided that I only feel the desire to blog when I am reflective or moody. Today I'm reflective...with maybe a touch of moodiness. Anyhow, I've decided that I need more friends, specifically more friends who live around me. I have many fabulous friends all over the world but right here at home, I can count them on one hand...I wouldn't even need my whole hand.

Ever since returning from Germany two years ago, I have retreated into a cocoon of sorts. I think I did this initially because my last year in Germany was difficult and I need to process my time there. Another probable reason for retreating is because when you live away from everyone for two years, everyone changes including me...so a fear of not identifying. Plus nobody here experienced what I experienced in Germany and therefore cannot fully understand my thoughts, no matter how much I share. All this so say, I have fully processed my time in Germany and have come through the phase able to see the good and hurtful times of Germany and still miss it desparately! But despite successfully processing my time there, I remain in my cocoon, retreating further when I got my own apartment a year ago. My world has become so small and on days like yesterday and today, it feels too small. I think the hardest part is that I am 29. Almost all of the people I know around my age are married and have kids. Getting together would require planning on their part plus the majority of their world is wrapped up in relationships I don't have and cannot fully understand at this point.

But at least I have the Lord. I have been seeking Him more actively over the last few weeks and have been blessed by His Word. I also decided that it has been way too long since I have been actively serving the church so I signed up to be an AWANA leader which I'm excited about. I don't know if God will bring more close friends my way, here in Washington, but I do believe that in serving and seeking to hear His voice, God will not disappoint me. And thankfully, He can handle my reflective/moody moments as well!

Lately my life has been a whirlwind of activities that isn't usually a part of my life. I have always been a healthy person with the occasional cold/flu/etc...But with my current back pain (which has now migrated to my hip area) I am suddenly scheduling appts with chiropractors, physical therapy, and spinal doctors.

The pain the last couple days has been quite light...only really hurting when I sit too long or go from sitting to standing. But once I get moving, I'm fine...so it feels funny to walk into these various doctor offices telling them of my problems when it might not appear super noticeable. Oh well...

All the appts thus far have been good. I know the chiro has helped...I could barely move a couple weeks ago. Just started phys therapy today so now I have exercises to do, morning and evening...hopefully those will help to reduce the rest of the pain and help me to maintain my back/spine/pelvis without future pain.

The only negative thing is the money...insurance only covers so much...It's at the point financially where I am trying to figure out if I take 2 or 3 grad classes for this next semester. If I only take 2, that will save me a $1000 which could go to help cover all the various doctors expenses. I feel like I can only currently cover one or the other of the expenses...for the first time in my life, I'm facing debt, which stinks. What to do?

It's a great thing that I am generally pretty healthy! Thank you Lord.

In a Funk

I hate it when I start my day in a funk...everything becomes tainted with my frustration and exhaustion. I know I just need to give my frustrations to God and find joy in the daily grind but in a way, it's easier to have a pity party and be upset.

Maybe I just need to go to Jack in the Box for their iced coffee drink...since they are for people in a funk, according to the commercial.

More Scrapbooking Pages

I've complete a few more scrapbooking pages...there are more in my album if that is accessible.

 Enjoy!

 I decided to try digital scrapbooking since I've been watching a friend post all her beautiful pages. The following are the first two I did...neither are completed but they are good for now.

Sweet Sarah

Hugable Nathan!

They are two kids I got to love on while in Germany!