Since I knew that I was going to be living in Kansas City for a while I took a trip back to NYC to in a sense say goodbye to some friends, family members and my home church. Some of you may not know the details of my story but when i wrote this it was more of a journaling/processing experience for me. I then decided to publish it because even though some of the things may not be pretty or may even seem too crazy to fathom, God gains glory because of how He has transformed my life, even during the past 3 years.
"I have been in New York for almost two weeks now. I must admit that I had almost forgotten what the city can be like in July and August. Here are some of the things I've been reminded of since I've been here:
***NOTE-in no way is this a broad representation of all of New York City, what you are reading are only some very specific insights into the area that my friends and family occupy.
1.) On my first night at church I was blessed enough to be given an amount of money to add to the single-digit amount I had in my pocket when I arrived in NY. This blessing quickly became a lesson in how much I'd forgotten-that night the money was stolen as I slept. No worries, the Lord has continuously provided for my every need and I have quickly reacquainted myself with the habit of NEVER leaving money farther away than I can reach.
2.) I was reminded that the NYPD shift change takes place at 2:00 AM when at a friend's house about fifteen people (all engaged in illegal activity of one kind or another) came inside at 1:35 and went back out at 2:15. The reason? Simple, at 1:40 the police begin to rush to meet their quotas of ticketing and arrests and by 2:15 it's a new shift and they dont really have to worry for another seven hours or so!
3.) Dunkin' Donuts is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week allowing me to indulge in a hazelnut iced coffee for under $3.00 anytime I want!
4.) I have been continuously reminded of how much I love my church family. These people who are so dear to me range in age from 11 months to 89 years. Jesus has truly been preparing their hearts to release me as a young woman seeking to please the Lord with my life. There have been sweet times of prayer as they pray for me and I for them, hilarious times of fellowship as they tease about me becoming a Midwesterner (aint happenin!!!) and long reminiscent talks about the things the Lord has done in all of our lives.
5.) As I search for my mom I am hit with the reality of how difficult it is to really keep contacts on the streets when I have not been here for a year.
6.) MASS TRANSIT!!!! I have been enjoying the liberty of being able to get from the Bronx to Brooklyn in 35 minutes (for those of you who dont know, that's pretty far). Seriously, I can get anywhere I want to go, when I want to go there and feel completely comfortable and confident doing so. I am really going to miss that.
There are many other things I could put here, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately for you since many of them have to do with the insanities and drama of the illegal realms of the city that my family is so good at being involved in), I am at the public library and only allowed 30 minutes on the computer. Maybe I'll add some more later this week; I just need to think of the positives so anyone who reads will have a well-balanced glimpse of my life in the city."
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