"That's so Asheville..."

After some hunting on Craigslist I managed to find a futon in "excellent condition." In case any of you are wondering, as I was, the 'futon' originated in Japan. However, it was just a mattress and thick quilted bed cover that were moveable enough that they could be stored easily. I also learned they are most commonly bought in stores called, "futon'ya." Obviously we changed it up a little bit by elevating the mattress onto a frame and the contorting it into either a couch or bed. Hope that was informative. Anyway, I got one. But getting it was quite the ordeal. The lady who was selling it was very pleasant, especially since she had literally just gotten back from her vacation to the beach as I pulled in. I offered to help carry her suitcases, but she politely declined. As she hauled them into the house we made small talk about how I'm "not from around here, huh?" And then meet Andrew, her child and Sam, her cat. I played with Sam for a minute while she got settled. After inspecting the futon I handed over some cash and we took it out to Rambo. I was feeling confident that this would be no problem for such a faithful Jeep. But as we set it down to open the liftgate I was growing a little nervous. "Well, let's just shove it in there." So we did. And it almost fit. So then I moved the front seats up. And it almost fit a little bit more. And then it started to rain. And I began to scheme. This lady was being so patient and I didn't want to see what would happen if that patience ran out. Finally we figured out a way to get it in enough that we could tie down the liftgate. And man did we tie that sucker down. It was sketch, I'm not going to deny that. As I got ready to leave, she said, "Uhh, why don't you let me know when you're back and that nothing has fallen out!" So much confidence from the lady who just tied it all down! But it survived. Then I had to untie all of the knots. Enter Kershaw Knife. And then I managed to get the stupid thing into my apartment all by myself. In retrospect, a friend would've been nice. I'm still working on that part. ALSA! I have a futon in my apartment.

Yesterday was a hectic day and I accomplished so much. I love setting up my new apartment, and am excited for it to begin to feel more like home. It's not perfect but it has a lot of potential! I think that one of my favorite moments from today was in the parking lot of Target. I had just purchased a new Nalgene water bottle. It is so clean. Unscratched, no stickers, no dirt, no memories. And I love it. But laying in the passenger seat was my old Nalgene. Literally the opposite. And it made me remember all the people who gave me a sticker, where that water bottle has been, the people who I was with during those times, just... memories, fond memories. Here's the cool part, I still get to take the filled water bottle with me on my new adventure with my new water bottle that is waiting to be filled.

Last night I slept in the hotel one last time. The electric people couldn't come out till today to turn the power on. But if I'm being honest, it had nothing to do with that. In some ways I was hesitant to move into my new apartment, because that makes it feel real. Until now, I was just vacationing in a hotel, roaming around Asheville playing interior decorator. But this morning I will checked out of my hotel and now my apartment is the place I will return to. Because tomorrow morning when I wake up I'll drive down to Lake Toxaway to go on my first shift as a Field Guide in Wilderness Therapy. A job that I accepted almost 2 months ago! I can't believe that the day is less than 24 hours away. I'm feeling a lot of things right now, but above all of them is peace. I'm just going to let it ride out and see what happens. My path has been laid out before me by a God who knows much more than I do and His way is perfect. So yeah, I'm feeling pretty peaceful.

It has been raining here a lot the past few days, I mean like pouring rain. And I thought, well that's good, maybe it won't rain while I'm out there. Then I pulled up the 10 day forecast. Looks like I'm going to get a little wet. All apart of the job.

Today also happens to be the day that staff training starts at Timber-lee. And for the first time in 4 years I won't be there. That makes me a little sad. But I am also really excited for all of the people who will get to be there this summer. You all are on my mind and in my prayers. May God use you in incredible ways. 

Anyway, this will be the last time that I post for at least 8 days. I will be done with my first shift next Wednesday and then I'm sure I will be ready to take a shower and sleep in my bed..uh futon. Please keep me and the kids that I'm working with in your prayers. Until next time!

Oh also, I'm sitting outside at a $tarbucks so that I can get free wifi and I heard a girl say to her friend, "Oh, that's so Asheville.." I don't know what it means, but maybe the longer I live here I'll begin to understand. I'll keep ya posted!