...
"It looks like you might not have to move. We're not sure. You see the problem is that the person who makes that decision isn't 100% yet. We want you to stay, but unfortunately...We'll let you know for sure next week."
...
"Yes, sadly the decision has been made. You will have to move. I'm so sorry and we are sad to see you go. You have been great renters."
October careened franticly towards November. Ministries started (or returned from breaks), training had to take place, visitors came, visitors left, trips were made, English was taught, and through it all last minute appointments with my broker to see yet another flat sprang up. I didn't want to move. I was having difficulty communicating with my roommate and through a series of events we decided not to live together anymore. The countdown toward the end of my lease loomed nearer and nearer as October sprinted toward November.
I'll admit it. I wasn't thrilled when I found an apartment. I was sad that I had to move. I was sad that there was all this change coming toward me and it was completely unwanted and unexpected. I felt a little like I had been thrown in the deep-end under a waterfall. Truly the breakers and waves were rolling over me (or so I felt). It was like having a rug pulled out from under my feet, only to find another rug that was just as quickly being pulled out, only to find the same again and again and again. But through the balancing act, I heard a soft reminder I AM with you, daughter. You are not in the sadness and grieving alone.
As I sat in my chair in my mostly-packed room (truck wall paper motivating me to keep packing) I realized that God had answered my prayer. He provided an apartment for me. And all I did was cry about having to move and experience all that change again. Dwelling place number 29. Suddenly it struck me. I hadn't said thank you for anything. So I began a list:
- My friend Sarah visited for my birthday. She brought me pop-tarts. I know food shouldn't serve as a comfort, but it really ministered to me! Especially as they don't really require any sort of plate, so I can eat them after I've packed everything!
- God made Sofia a stop on the World Race this year. Their normal partners just so happened to have a very slow month and so the 7 girls joined our ESL team to learn how to teach English and help us with our events in October. They jumped in immediately, helping often without us asking or even noticing that something needed to be done.
- My team gave me time to look for an apartment. Because of the World Race ladies helping with English Clubs, I was able to look at apartments during our normal English classes.
- A team came from Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church (Birmingham, AL) to run a women's retreat for the women on our team. Even though this cut into my apartment searching time, it was a rich blessing to be cared for by these women and to be reminded that care for my soul, even in the midst of sadness, is important.
- My relationship with my roommate was strained and living together wasn't really working. This move gave us both an out.
- My teammate, friend & former roommate Katherine is marrying my teammate and friend Taylor. Katherine's other roommates, Pepa and Vanya (with whom I've lived before), needed to find a new place to live. The apartment God provided is big enough for them to move in with me and still have room for another roommate, intern, or guest!
- My broker is a close friend of our team and he cared for me as if I was his own daughter while we looked.
- My landlord and his broker spoke Bulgarian slowly and clearly for me. My landlord clearly wants me to love living in his flat and has been very gracious with me.