Austin Updates

A LOT has been happening here in Austin, TX! This is honestly one of the first times I have had a chance to sit down and update my blog! I will try to recap what all has been going on without writing TOO much.... although it IS a lot of information!

Matt and I got here on Friday afternoon/evening. We were going to "Hampton House" the place where I was living. We had a disassembled bunk bed and two mattresses in the back of his truck. When we are only about five miles from the house, we hit STOPPED traffic and it begins to rain. First just a sprinkle, then practically a downpour. Needless to say, by the time we got to the house, the mattresses were pretty wet. We carried them into my room and sat them up against the walls to let them dry. We started looking around and checking out the place. Neither of us really said it, but we were both thinking the same thing: This really isn't very nice. Now, I had gone to check it out beforehand, but mainly just my bedroom. When we started looking closer, we realized the house really wasn't in good shape. My light didn't work, the carpet was stained, there were cracks in the walls, the doors stuck and were sometimes nearly impossible to open or close, the bathroom was tiny (and was to be shared between six girls), the bathroom was dirty and stained, and the toilet would SOMETIMES flush... Are you getting the picture? I didn't complain much, I tried to just think positively about it, but that was becoming a hard thing to do. Finally Matt just came out and said, "Lauren, I don't want you to have to live there." I immediately said, "ME NEITHER! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!" I hadn't signed any paperwork or paid any deposits and that point, so I knew I had a short time to see if I could find something else...

Meanwhile, Matt moved in with the Swinney family. They are a family from the Pond Springs Church of Christ. Matt had talked to some people from that church about possibly working with them. He got really excited about the possibility and we both, for some reason, felt really good about the church. However, just before we moved to Austin he was told that they didn't have it in their budget to hire him. Matt was pretty disappointed, but was thankful that they were still letting him live with a family there. So, we moved him in. He has a nice big room with an awesome space shuttle painted up on the wall (he was pretty excited about that), and the family is VERY nice and hospitable.

On Saturday, we got an email about a woman who was renting out a room in her house. A guy who works for Austin Grad (where Matt is going) has been helping us both with so many things! He has helped with housing, jobs, contacts... he has been very helpful and kind to us both. He sent us the email about this woman, Denise, and her available rooms. She is nearly 50 years old, Christian, single, has a huge house, and had rooms for $350/month... which is actually pretty cheap for this area, although it is still really expensive. I called her and left her a message explaining that I was looking for a room. Then I just anxiously awaited for a call back.

Later that evening, we were invited to a graduation party for a girl at Pond Springs (where Matt had wanted to work). They had food and a band (yes, a band) and different games and activities. Later, Matt said, "See, THIS is why I want to work with this church..." Everyone there was very kind and very laid back and easy going - we both felt very comfortable and welcome there. Anyway, while we were there I got a call back from Denise. She said she still had a room available and that I could stop by that night to check it out. We headed out to her house, visited with her for a while, and made plans to move in the next day. I was so relieved.

Sunday morning we went to Lake Travis Church of Christ - another church that was looking to hire Matt. On our way there, my stomach was already growling, but we didn't have time to stop anywhere. I told Matt, "Surely they have donuts or something... what kind of church doesn't have donuts?" When we pulled up I jokingly told Matt, "Now, if there aren't donuts... that's it. You can't work here, and we're not coming back." Sure enough, they DID NOT have donuts. So maybe I was just bitter from the start, but neither one of us were very impressed with the church. Whereas the people were very nice, it just didn't feel right... and they didn't have donuts.

Later on Sunday, Keith (from Pond Springs) called up Matt and said that he met with the church again, and he wanted to talk to us BOTH later that day. It turns out, they did NOT have it in their budget to hire Matt, but apparently they liked us enough that individuals in the church were willing to team up and support both of us! They offered Matt a part time position as a youth/outreach minister plus a paycheck once a month, and they offered me free housing with a family! Whereas I won't be getting an actual paycheck from them, they offered to help out with food or other expenses occasionally in return for some help with the youth and elementary programs.

We were so excited about getting to work with the church, but all I could think about was how I had JUST moved in at Denise's house, and how now they were offering me free housing. I knew that she wouldn't be upset or anything like that, but I felt bad about moving in one day, then moving out the next, and I was nervous about telling her. The next morning she asked how the meeting went with the church and I told her what they offered me. She literally threw her hands in the air and shouted, "HONEY! THATS AWESOME! I'D MAKE FUN OF YOU IF YOU DIDN'T TAKE THAT!" Haha, so her excitement for me made it much easier! Then she told me that she knew I was busy with school starting that week, and that I was welcome to stay there for the week without paying her anything. She is VERY nice, and I was VERY relieved that she was so excited for me. I AM still living with Denise right now, but I am meeting the family I'll be moving in with tonight at church. I imagine I'll move in with them either Thursday or Friday.

So as you can see, things have been very hectic! I also have a job interview with Lifeway Christian Bookstore later this evening to see if I can work something out there.

Last night Matt had a new student orientation at Austin Grad. I was invited to come with him, so we both went. They had a dinner, then the orientation part. The people there are SO nice! As I said before, one of the men here, Kirk, has helped us out tremendously with our move here. Every single person that I have met here has been more than helpful. I told Matt, "I'm not really going to - but the people here make me want to transfer here... they're all so nice!" I think it is a great place to be, and I think Matt will really enjoy it there.

I started classes on Monday and was quickly reminded that I am no longer on a Christian campus. My history teacher was quick to use every word in the book, and tell us all about drinking, naked ladies, "getting a gal's blouse off", and how he is a conservative republican. Plus, he is 77 years old. Everyone smokes directly outside of each building, so as soon as I walk outside the smoke hits me like a brick wall. It's not as bad as I make it sound, but as I mentioned, it was a quick reminder that I wasn't at a Christian school anymore! :)

Well, I think that is plenty for now. God is really blessing us here and opening a lot of doors, but He is also keeping us very busy! Although I am certainly thankful for the blessings, I will be happy when things slow down a bit.