Working woman

It's official! I got the job at WATCH Resources, Inc. My first two days have been really great, but busy and tiring. There is so much to learn, and I'm grateful for the training that is going to be coming in the following weeks and months. It has been great to be able to work with the consumers...they have stolen my heart. It's very strange to be working again after so long, but it's great to be able to get back on a schedule. It's also nice because I will be able to support myself financially, and I haven't been able to do that in over a year. It's been difficult to have to depend on other people for things, especially things such as feminine products and clothing. Depending on people to buy your food has been difficult, too. It's very humbling, but makes you appreciate what you have. This experience of not being employed has helped me to understand a little bit what it's like for the unemployed who have to depend on others for everything they need. What other choice is there when you're doing what you can and yet still have nothing? I can't express enough my gratitude to those who have helped me over this last year or so with finances, places to live, clothing, food, transportation...."Thank you" isn't enough. I'm grateful to have you all in my life, because I know that some people don't have anyone.

I will say that out of this experience of having to depend on others, I have definitely learned a deeper dependence and reliance on God to provide. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.
I hope that, even as a working woman, I will not lose that healthy dependence I need. I have been craving independence for so long, because it's all I've known, but I've needed this time of dependence.

Pray that I don't lose the healthy dependence and that my dependence and neediness for God would only grow deeper. Also pray that I would learn quickly the things I need to for my job and that I would continue to follow God's leading.

Love,
Mindy

Baptism

Today was a very significant day. It tied together the last 6 or so months of my life. 

The decision to be baptized had been in the making since July 18th. I received a voice mail that day from a woman who works at Sierra Bible Church, the church I'm attending here in CA. She told me about the baptism service being held on August 5th and wanted to know if I was interested in participating. At first, I dismissed her message, as I had been baptized before. But, as the day wore on, the thought of it wore on my mind. 

I had been baptized before, when I was in middle school or something, but I don't remember the date or year. It really didn't mean much to me then, either. But, the decision to be baptized today held much significance. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (NIV & NLT combined) This is me. I decided to be baptized today because it represents so much. So many things happened in my life in the time I spent at Mercy; my life was transformed there. God became real to me. I had always been a 'Christian', but, had I? I was so double-minded at times and my faith wavered. My walk with God was anything but stable. I was in and out, up and down. One day I hated Him, another I needed Him. I blamed Him for my pain, thinking He was the author of it. I didn't think He loved me and I didn't know who I was. 

But all that is changed now. I have always been redeemed, but I'm living like it now. Being baptized today was my declaration that I am, from this day on, living in the resurrection life that Jesus Christ died to give me. The old man really is gone. I am new! Before Mercy, I was dead. Now, I'm alive. 

I shouldn't have received that voice mail about baptism. I never filled anything about about being interested in baptism, nor did I say anything to anyone about it. But, I don't think it was a coincidence. No, with God, nothing is a coincidence. He ordained my baptism today.