i just had the best weekend ever..my two most favorite gals in the world came to Brenham to see me-yes Libby Leatherman and Ashley Rodenberger spent the entire weekend with me and was it wonderful!!!
the Lord blessed us with some really special time together to catch up and talk and laugh, laugh, laugh, it was so encouraging to be with them again. these girls are quality gals and spending time with them these days doesnt happen as often as it used to since i'm in Brenham, Libby's in Irving and Ash's in Ft. Worth. we definitely picked up right where we had left off and the Lord gave us precious time of rest, relaxation and fun, not to mention a great Sunday morning at church. having them come into my new life was good for me...it was encouraging to me watching them really enjoying themeselves and fellowshipping with my "new" Body. we definitely had a dance party saturday night with 2 of my roommates..fun times, not to mention the killer slumber party: the three of us shacking up in the king size bed :) (sidenote, ash likes to take the covers & libby is pretty hilarious in the mornings!)
this weekend was much needed for me as the following weeks are going to be EXTREMELY stressful, moving, finishing up JAM, starting a new job, etc. if your thoughts come across me, please say a prayer. i will really need them.
well i'm gonna hit the sack early...long week ahead..early bed time is a must
grace & peace,
lish
its been awhile since my last post. time has flown by, there are only 2 more weeks left of JAM...its nuts to think i only have 10 more days with my girls. so many seeds have just been planted, but i'm really encouraged because i know i will still be here to water and watch them hopefully take root and grow. my relationship with one family has grown a whole lot and my prayer is that they will find their way back to the church body. they are believers, but have been hurt in the past by the church and dont desire to be a part of it. the mom has a relationship and thinks that is enough, which isnt the worst thing to believe, but at the same time is lacking a whole lot; but her son is involved in the youth so they are taking baby steps.
funny story..as of thursday, i now have a boyfriend-his name is Jarivs and he is 5 years old and the cutest little kid eva' :) he is precious, and if i knew how to post pictures, id put a picture up of him, but i havent mastered that feat yet.
everyday gets a little more wearing and tiring, the frustrations rise and my attitude and mouth takes a little more self-control to handle. its obvious the summer is wearing on me and Satan is attacking hard. your prayers and encouragements are deeply appreciated.
house hunting has been discouraging..not quite the selection in brenham as in college station, but i know the Lord is supreme and my provider
transitioning has been hitting me hard lately..loneliness, fear of "big decision-makings", inadaquecy, having to make new friends, yall know the drill...so with that all said, its been a rough week, but it ended well-the Lady Lightweights (my girls) won the Stomp Competition, so we get to compete in the championship on JAM Celebration day, July 30th [sidenote, every group wins..so every participates :)] i also had a fabulous weekend, friday night was spent with some amazing guys and then Saturday i was able to relax and pack some more, visited with my old roomie and hung out with the familia.
this summer has changed me a lot-the Lord has taught me a lot about compassion and what truly showing grace looks like. its funny how i can tell in my mind how I rely more on the Holy Spirit to direct my steps instead of my own strength and how without a doubt I can tell when i'm trying to do things in my own will and not the Father's.-and a lot of that has come through my times of confession. one of my deepest struggles is pride and independence and this summer the Lord has refined it, so that in EVERYTHING, whether it be a personal circumstance or something related to JAM , i'm to look to HIM, because if i dont i know that it will fail-especially with my tounge. this summer has been a summer of me taming it, learning when to speak and how to choose my words wisely. yes there have been times when i'm sarcastic and its uncalled for, but then there are times when i purposefully keep my mouth shut and can rejoice because the Lord has given me that wisdom and self-control, which brings me into a deeper initimacy with Him.
it makes me smile about this blog..i started it at the end of the school year, not knowing what to title it and thought i "randomly" came up with the idea of "following His lead", but it refreshes me to know that thats what my life is continuing to look like. I would have never gotten to where i am at right now-physcially: in Brenham, spiritually: a deeper intimacy, mentally/emotionally: struggling with fears i didnt think i would face and lastly, ready for the challenge that i know this "new" life is going to bring me in the fall-if i never took that step to surrender everything and say "okay God youre in control everyday, i will follow the path you are taking". and everyday i have to make that choice before i start my day or i know its going to be a struggle, sometimes i do it and other days i dont, but every morning He is there waiting.
this has been a long one..i didnt mean for it to be, but obviously theres been a lot on my mind. i cherish the prayers and ask you encourage me these last couple weeks.
i love you all
grace & peace,
lish
....i have a job; YES- you read right, I, Alisha Marie Lombardi, have accepted a full-time position working at the House of Worship/for Mission Brenham starting..well i'm currently working as a summer missionary, so as soon as camp is over I am redefined as full-time staff. IE-the month of August will consist of moving and working.
My job is really exciting it consists of being Marcus (the pastor) and Chris Gaines (the youth guy)'s assistant as well as heading up the Children's Ministry-meaning starting Kid's Church, a tutoring/reading program and making JAM 2006 happen. Its going to be absolutely insane, but i think i'm ready for a challenge like this!
I never in a million years expected this or imagined myself doing this, but i know that this is where the Lord wants me for now-welcome to Brenham Alisha!
please email me if youd like more details, id love to tell you the full, wonderful story of how it all came about..but its rather long and detailed..stuff i only want to bore really interested people in!
grace & peace,
lish
what a wonderful weekend..most of it was spent driving, but such an encouraging couple of days!
saturday was spent running errands for Chris and then i made a trip into college station, then came back to Brenham to see the youth off to Kids Across America Camp, then a couple other counselors and i went to dinner and watched a movie. Sunday was a busy day, church in the morning and then i drove up to dallas where i met up with libby and then we ate at Wings N More in Colleyville (WHOOP!) with William and Markum-fun times, the people in the restaurant were very suspisious of us..we were VERY excited about Wings! After dinner Markum left and Ms. Leatherman and Mr. Meier and I hung out at his fabulous apt after some gelato! LEt me tell you they are stomp masters! they helped me come up with my stomp routine for the competetion this week..mad props to the both of you! Today was spent hanging out with libby and then i headed back home to chill in college station with the madre y padre...man i love those guy..i think i'm one of the luckiest people alive...my parents are stellar peeps :)
as of right now i've got the house in Brenham all to myself-yea!
Hope yall had a happy holiday. Praise the Lord for freedom.
grace & peace,
lish
whoop for a day off for the 4th and seeing the BFF & wonderful william c. meier!
have a great 4th everyone!
grace & peace,
lish
well, my summer is basically half over, but another journey begins..
yes, there are only 4 more weeks of camp, which is insane to me, because while i feel i've been here a long time (longer than a month), the time has flown by very quickly & i'm really excited about whats in store for me in the fall...9 out of 10 fingers point to me staying in Brenham...the Lord continues to provide and direct me..in the midst of me feeling like im in the dark, but its this blind faith- it is transforming my relationship with him into something much more real and intimate, deepr than what i experienced in college...its like those verses, which i cant remember where they are but i'mi definitely craving hard core the meat, but with that comes newness and scariness, because choices are bigger and have a profounder effect on my life-wow i'm really starting to feel like an adult.
anyways, i get to see my bff..ms. libby d. leatherman this weekend..so pumped..its definitely off the chain, celebrating the 4th with the family..over all, good times are in store.
grace & peace,
lish
email for more details about my fall plans-theyre exciting & unexpected!