First of all, in exciting news…I HAVE INTERNET IN MY APARTMENT!!!! In Bad news, I spent an hour or so writing my new blog and with one small click BAM it was gone. I had previously said how I had been typing my blog every night on my phone and how it took me forever. NOW I wish I had typed it on my phone where it would have stayed. Anyway, in having internet this means no more clinging to windows to receive calls from Africa or being so frustrated with my phone. Well phoneS. I have inherited a new phone and computer, both of which are Apple products. I own a PC and an Android phone personally. I definitely still prefer my Android over iPhone, but I don’t mind the computer. The real problem comes down to the fact that I am both right and left brained. I am very linear in my strategic planning and analyzing of things, but I am random in my thinking style and communication approach (hence the way I write). I like the structure of Mac OS at times and how everyone’s iPhones operate the same way, however I love the creativity and freedom to customize my Android and navigate Windows OS. All I know is I do miss the “delete” button when I am on my Macbook. They have a “delete” button formerly known as “backspace” to most PCs. Honestly though I am glad that I am getting more familiar with Mac OS. It reminds me of learning to drive a manual transmission on my first car so that now I can drive in most situations. One day I’m sure I’ll have the opportunity overseas to drive a standard on the “wrong” side of the road. 

So you can imagine that carrying two phones around can get a little tricky depending on where I am. For instance today I ran an errand and took a call on my personal phone, while leaving my work phone in the car when I returned. Then when I left the office this evening, I got all the way home before realizing I didn’t have my personal phone (no worries, I live in Hamilton and was back at the office in 3 minutes). When I got to the office I called my personal phone, my Android, from the office phone because of course I left my work phone in the car! Whew I am confusing myself! When I called my Android I could hear and feel it vibrate but I could not find it anywhere. We are in the process of packing up the office for our move, and I was looking everywhere. After some time, I went and grabbed my work cell for to call for back up before I lost my mind. As I made the second phone call, I decided to do something that I had not done before and that was to lay on the floor to see if I saw anywhere it could have slid. With my face pressed against the hardwood, I then saw a small area under one of the filing drawers where it could have gone. I reached my hand under there with much hesitation of the unknown because of what seemed like eternal darkness (yes I am a little dramatic, but you never know what hiding)…and there is was! My phone! I am telling you that story not solely so you can laugh with me (or at my expense), but to make this point. Much like in the Kingdom of God, there is a principle that we are to seek and keep seeking until we find God. There is a promise to seeking, and that is you will find Him when you seek with all of your heart. Sometimes you may not feel like you can hear Him clear enough to pin point things exactly, but as you keep seeking you’ll find Him. In order to find precious things in His kingdom, you’ll have to be willing to do things that you’ve never before by getting low and humble before Him. And sometimes reaching into the depths of darkness (either the lost and hurting or broken places in your heart) you are able to find the most precious promises. Be relentless in your pursuit to find treasures in His kingdom. I was not going to leave the office today until I found my phone because it meant so much to me. I couldn’t hear it clear enough to tell exactly where it was, but I had a general idea. I pursued until I found it. May there be grace for you to seek and find the things your heart has desired in Him. 

On the Small Town side of things, I went to Buttahatchee BBQ tonight for dinner. There is a river in Hamilton named, “The Buttahatchee River”. There is Guest Book when you come in, which I have definitely never seen before in a restaurant. I signed it of course (picture below). When the waitress took our drinks she asked me, “Would you like sweet tea?” since that is the norm around here. I ordered my usual water with lemon instead. Buttahatchee BBQ has a guest book, which I signed of course! Their cheeseburgers are $3 which I feel is very economically friendly :-) I joked that at that price I was certain that it was not grass-fed organic meat (WHOLE FOODS I MISS YOU!!!)

I like always, was at Walmart today, but this time to utilize my “ATM” by the “cash back” option. My bank, Chase, doesn’t even have a location in the state of Alabama. I will be taking a trip to Birmingham this weekend and I’m ready for some big city scenery.