Summertime. . . .

I realize, of course, that so far I have not stayed very current with my current events; I will try to do better about that. For the summer I am living in the Minneapolis area with my cousin, her husband and my sister. I must say it is a new experience living with my sister for the first time in six years. The last time we were living in the same house I was sixteen years old and only a sophomore in high school. It is evident how much we both have grown since that time and as a result our friendship (or whatever you call the relationship of a brother and sister) is much stronger than it has ever been.

This summer I am working for Chrysler, soon to be Fiat-Chrysler, in a parts distribution center. A PDC is just a fancy name for a warehouse full of car parts that are shipped out to dealerships by truck everyday. My job is being the middle-man between the shelf where the parts are stored and the delivery trucks. It sounds like a rather mundane job I'm sure, but i have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of the people with whom i am working. I was shocked my first day of work to find that most of the employees bring their own book to read during break times. Rather than sit around and talk or smoke, as has been the case at many jobs i have had in the past, everyone takes out his or her book to read in silence for the entire twelve minute break, or thirty minute break for lunch.

I must say that so far this summer God has taught me a great deal about trusting in Him for everything i need. The first week of my summer was especially anxiety-filled for me. Chrysler called me and told me they probably weren't going to be able to hire me after all, and the family with whom i was planning on living pulled the plug for other reasons more complicated. In those stressful moments, all i could do sometimes was stretch my hands out to God and cry with King David, "How long, Oh LORD, will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" I did not understand why everything was happening to me and i was incredibly discouraged as those who spoke with me can testify. In hindsight, i feel pretty stupid for ever doubting that God knew i needed a good paying job to help me pay the rent in the fall, or for doubting that He knew i needed a place to live that wouldn't cost me too much. In a period of about five days following the unravelling of all my plans God showed me that He would always provide fro my needs, no matter how bleak the situation. Kath, my cousin, called me and basically insisted that i move into her and her husband's house and told me that only asked that i pay $200 for the entire summer. Two days later, Chrysler called me back and offered me the job on the spot if i was still interested. When going through difficult times, it is so easy to dwell on the first part of the Psalm i quoted above and forget that the Psalm ends with the words, "I will sing unto the LORD, for He has been good to me."