Back in Denver

Well friends,

Praise the Lord I am back in Denver. I was warmly greeted back by the friends I live with. I'm so grateful for them and their companionship!

I finally heard something about my car: it's going to cost a bunch of money to fix it, but I'll just be responsible for the deductible, which is still a substantial chunk.

But the fact is that I am alive, I'm back in Denver, and I'm going back to work on Monday.

The Lord has really used my mom during this time to bring me a lot of comfort, perspective, joy, and compassion. Danke, Mam :) Hab dich lieb!

Unexpected miracle story to tell

Well, I was going to update on how God gave me a car.
And He did :) But read below what else happened...

Work has been trying, but some friends found a great-valued car in Houston for me. With different people pitching in, I bought it and this past Saturday, I flew to Houston to pick it up. It was great to be back home, even if just for a night. Early Sunday I drove to Amarillo, TX, and had a wonderful solo trip spent in silence, prayer, worship, and audiobook. Sunday night a friend of a friend opened her home for me and I left early Monday morning to make the rest of the trip to Denver.
About half a mile out of the house, I pulled into a gas station to fill up my car and noticed that my front tire was flat. Great. A nice man pumped it up for me and we drove to Tire Discount Co. repair shop and they fixed it for me for free! Finally I was on my way to Denver. It had snowed the night before, so there was snow on the side and it was slow going at first. When the roads were clearer and not so snowy, I was finally able to pick up some speed again.
Two hours into my delayed trip, I saw a flipped truck in the median. Praying for whoever may have been in that accident, I slowed down my car. Too late. Before I knew what was happening, my car started swaying side to side uncontrolably and next thing I knew I was heading right into the median. Before I landed in the bottom of the ditch, however, my car did a complete 360 degree rotation, bumping off the sides, landing me on the roof and then back on my tires. Suddenly I found myself at the bottom of the ditch, engine still running, music still playing, except the interior of my car having stuff scattered all over and my windshield being completely shattered. I calmly turned off the car and the music and got out into the bitter cold to evaluate the situation. I had done a flip all right--my mirrors were hanging by a thread, the windshield shattered but didn't break, praise the Lord, the roof had a dent, and the right side of the car had a dent. I couldn't believe this.
After standing there in disbelief for a minute, I saw an SUV hit the side of a semitruck and get flung into the median also. Left and right, cars were starting to fall like flies because of the black ice. Eventually, my car and I were towed into the closest small town and I spent most of the afternoon making phone calls. There was a brother and sister that had also gotten into an accident and I got a ride back to Amarillo with them. God's provision. It felt like we were holding on for dear life on our long way back down the dark highway, but again God protected us.

Today I am still alive with not a scratch or bruise. Such bad things could have happened, but I felt such peace and like there was a bubble around me when I was being justled in the car. And I have been so blessed by the many prayers that went up on my behalf. God does love me and besides giving me the gift of life, He shows me this love by the care and concern of my community.

I am so blessed. God is gracious.

Work

Well, I made my first sale today--2 at that!

Today, my fourth day at the marketing company, I got my own territory, meaning I was sent out on my own to my own area that I'll be working for the next few months and I started walking into offices...

This is gonna be an interesting job...Not sure yet what I think of it, but I sure have run into some divine appointments already! Yesterday I was able to encourage a guy at a construction company in his faith when I shared my miracle story of how I got my job. Today I met a Turkish guy selling--you guessed it--cell phones! I had some Turkish tea and was just so happy to use my Turkish.

This job is hard though. Enough said about that.

Good night, folks, and remember that God is faithful. I must continue to remind myself when I ask myself how I got here to have a sales job :) He is good!

CO photos

Some views...It's so beautiful here!!
This is the main house.
I guess this is Colorado: have a 5 K even in a snowstorm!

A sunset I enjoyed :)

LOTS of Canadian Geese out here

On the drive to my interview. I couldn't keep my eyes off the moutains

I got the job!! Celebrating in moderation with my new community!

Set for the professional world :) Sorry I couldn't turn it...

First Day at Work

Well, I just got back from a whole day of work.

At 8:45, I was at work, doing "team building" exercises and learning a few things about sales.

After that, I was out all day with an employee and watching how he does things. I even pitched a few sales myself, though I didn't close any deals. At the end of the day, I talked with the CEO and he said he was pleased :)

Already, on this first day of work, I've set myself apart as probably one of the only ones not drinking, smoking, or habitually dating. Not that I put it out there, but I told the truth when asked. And I told them I'm a Jesus-follower :)

Day 60 and still in America

wow. wow. wow.

Today marks 60 days after my college graduation, the day I would have to be out of the country unless I had a job. Yesterday I was offered 2 jobs and had the option for interviewing with a third company. Wow. I took the job with the marketing company and will be starting tomorrow, bright and early!

I'm still so blown away by all this. A week ago, I arrived in Denver with only a place to stay. On Thursday morning, I got an interview offer for Friday morning with a marketing agency. Monday I had a second and third interview with the same company and Tuesday morning, I had the employment offer!

Now I get to stay here!! Words cannot describe my giddyness and excitement over staying here. It's been such a long, winded journey following my dream to Denver, but at last here I am!! Now it looks like I will have to get a car for my job, so please be praying about that, but after what God brought together in Denver, I have no doubt He's got transportation for me too.

For those of you who have followed me closely and been on the edge of your seat like I have been, I hope all this is a testimony to you about God's faithfulness and provision. He is a just-in-time God and will carry you through with hope and comfort. I hope this story reminds you to dream big, hope 'foolishly', and follow God in faith.

Now that I'm in Denver, however, I am under no misperception that my journey is over. It has just begun! Will you please continue to pray for me and keep up with me?

abundant blessing: 2 job offers

Yeah. I got the marketing job!! I passed the series of tests and the marketing agency wants to hire me!!

However, I also got a job offer as a personal assistant, which would be my preference. However, I have some reservation about this, as the offer was made through a series of emails.

Both are amazing opportunities in experience and wealth.

Pray for wisdom.

God is faithful.

My second and third interview

Well, I had my second interview with a marketing agency here in Denver. Today was about shadowing a normal employee and evaluating whether they and I think I could do this day to day.

I think I would do OK. Initially, it would be a lot of direct marketing (personal selling), but that jumpboards me into leadership. There would be tremendous opportunity for career and financial options.

Anyway, the day-interview went so well that I got a third interview as the last part of the day. And I got it with the owner! The cool thing is that this guy is a Korean and knows all about student-visa issues--great! So, tomorrow morning I find out whether I am the one out of many chosen to become their next trainee.

In the meantime, however, I just got offered the other job as the personal assistant. I guess we'll see in the morning if I have to make a decision. Both are great and I would enjoy both. Looks like I may not have to be deported after all, but it's all in the gracious hands of the Father.

thanks all for your prayers!

God is faithful.

Thoughts on Denver

Well, tomorrow I go to the same marketing agency for a second interview. It will be all day...oh boy!

But I want to say something. I would love this job and love to be able to stay in Denver (that I'm enjoying more every day!), but if this job does not go through, I will still trust in the Lord's goodness and faithfulness. HE IS IN CONTROL AND KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.

So, whether I get a job or not, stay in America or now, I will yet praise and love my Lord.

In the meantime, I have some interesting observations about Denver:

--It's really strange to see seminary students drinking beer regularly...

--It's really beautiful here with the mountains surrounding us, but I haven't caught a very stunning sunset...perhaps during another season.

--People here take off their shoes when they walk into a home, but I guess that makes sense so the snow doesn't get all over...

--They have some decent wines, even though I would not have thought winery was big here

--I love how artsy and cultural this city is

--Today it was snowing all day and I saw 2 crazy happenings: the fire department practicing water rescue in a frozen lake; and a 5 K race taking place

but I love it! God, please let me stay here!!

Dios es fiel. That's it.

Second Interview!!

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you know that Friday's interview went great and I got invited to a second one on Monday! I hope this is a goo one!

Getting there was the first time I drove in Denver and I must say it was not boring...half of the time, I was looking out all my windows, just unbelieving that there are high mountains all around me. Amazing. When I could, I was taking pictures in the car :)

Last night I went out to the First Friday Art night downtown. It was so cool! We got to see people make glass jewelry and all sorts of stuff. Lots of interesting art there... Going out a little bit dressed up and walking downtown sorta made me feel like an adult...Crazy.

This weekend, I'm planning on just chilling...not sure about the super bowl...

Dios es fiel!

Quick Update

So, it's been an amazing time in Denver so far. It's absolutely stunningly beautiful in this state! There's a little bit of snow on the ground and it's a bit chilly, but the sun makes everything shiny and warm in the heart :) I have been received so warmly by the residents in this place and I already know it will hurt to leave here if it comes to that. Now that I'm here I want to be here all the more :)

So, quick update:

Tomorrow morning, Friday 9:30 I have an interview. Pray!

I also have another lead about being a personal assistant to a businesswoman. I think I'd have fun doing that also.

5 days countdown.

Dios es Fiel.

Arrival in Denver

^{Numbers 9: 17} Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents. ¹⁸ At the command of the LORD the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the LORD they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped.

I made it to Denver!!

I was sent off from Texas with jackets, warm clothes, interview clothes, and much much love and prayer. God has provided.

The flights through Phoenix were easy and though my carry-on got lost, they found it after a few hours and delivered it sometime in the night.

During my layover, however, I had some cool run-ins. I decided to sit with a lady at Burger King that looked my age and we ate together while talking about life. Eventually the subject turned to my parents' work in Turkey and a few minutes later, an older gentleman from the next table chimed in saying he couldn't help but overhear our conversation about Turkey. He pulled out a decent-size painting in a frame and told me he wanted my family to have it. It was a painting he had done of Jesus with a little Turkish village skyline and a lake in the background. We ended up being on the same flight and told me he had never met anyone from Turkey, but he had made the painting about a decade ago after having read about this village in an encyclopedia...

Now I'm in Denver and I'm in love. This place is absolutely stunning. Mountains, crisp air, sunshine, and where I'm staying has really captured my heart. It's like from a fairy-tale and everything I could ask for when staying somewhere. I've been so giddy and so excited about just being here and living in the moment of great significance for me. Few know the winded road that has brought me here. It's a dream come true just to be here for the present moment.

So, I'm working on phone calls, emails, and sending out resumes. I will even walk up and down the street asking for interviews. The 7 day count-down has begun.

Dios es fiel: God is faithful.

DENVER!!

I'M GOING TO DENVER!!!

I've been in Texas, focusing on spending time with the Lord and searching for jobs all over the world. I've had my eye on Denver, Colorado, for quite some time and though I've sent out numerous resumes to CO and even talked to a few companies, nothing has seemed to break through.

It was Friday evening that it just clicked: I'm supposed to go to Denver. Period. Last semester I so clearly remember telling my friend that, by faith, I'm going to Denver, whether it's to work there or just to get my next instructions from the Lord. On Friday, I finally got the "GO" in my heart, being full of assurance that this is my next step. I could hardly sleep that night out of sheer excitement!!

Saturday morning after a welcoming and positive talk on the phone with a lady in Denver, I booked my flight for Tuesday. I don't know if I will end up living there with a job, or just passing through, but I will be there at least until I have to leave the country (visa issue).

The fullness of this all is hitting me and in my mind I'm more confronted with worry, fear, "what ifs", and sadness of leaving an incredible community here, but this leading to Denver was just so incredibly clear that I can't help believe God has something so great in Denver. We'll see :)

Yesterday, my community of younger and older people threw me a celebration party with Turkish tea and German Chocolate Cake. It was amazing. More amazing were their prayers for me and I am blown away by the measure of support, encouragement, and love I have received from these people. I am SO BLESSED!

Stay tuned for what God will do in Denver!