Matt Jones' Random Acts of Verbiage

This is another one of those posts… you know, the ones that are really just for me (so I can look back and remember… ponder… learn… etc.)… the ones where I wear my heart on my sleeve and make a fool of myself… yeah. So really, just carry on to the next post, it would be for the best. Really, I mean that.

For the past 6 months my life has been in flux. There have been many frustrations and joys in that time period. The frustrations are the most obvious things because they relate to money and school, two quite big issues. WWU has been a huge frustration… I won’t be going there… I don’t think. Plans have to change and adapt. Fortunately it was brought to my attention that SPU has a (monetarily) feasible program. So now I am going through the process once again. The other frustration (that has a lot to do with waiting for school too) has been my financial and job situation. It is not cool with a 27 year old is living on the remainder of his student loans, credit, and more importantly the generosity of his parents. It isn’t something I am proud of, but it is also the situation I am in and I am fortunate enough that they will give me the leeway they have. Because of the frustrations with school I had put off getting a job, but now that is pretty crucial. The job market would be much better in Seattle, but I have obligations and a life up in Bellingham that I am not prepared to leave yet.

This brings me to the good things that have been going on the last 6 months. My church (First Pres) has been a huge blessing. I joined the church over the summer and it really has been a home church to me. The preaching of Doug and my small group has been an extremely important part of my life that would be hard to cast away so soon. YoungLife is another hugely important thing going on in my life right now. In theory I was supposed to sign a two year agreement so I can stay with the kids in both 7th and 8th grade. As it stands right now, I will only be doing one year. It would be hugely irresponsible of me to cut that even shorter by moving down to Seattle even earlier. I really don’t want that to happen. I am working with these kids for a reason!

To top these things off, well, there is a girl… yep, I said it. I actually asked someone out. Mom, you really don’t have to read this! Heh. It was one of those things that I never intended, but it became something that I didn’t want to give up on. (If you happen to read this [not sure if she does], I can delete this stuff if you want!) We are kind of dating. And by that I mean that because of our situations we are taking things really slow. I will probably be in Seattle in the fall… possibly even in the fall. She is REALLY busy doing an internship, won’t be here in the summer and probably won’t even be back in Bellingham after she has left for the summer. Pretty shaky, eh? In a lot of ways it kinda sucks that things are they way they are because I would love for things to progress unhindered, but I don’t want to get in her way (especially in going to grad school, probably out of state). Basically it is a tough situation, and one that I have never been in. I don’t really know how to “just date” and to be perfectly honest, it is pretty hard to not talk to her as much as I want to. I would like it to progress but I don’t want to get in the way of her internship (and if anyone has done an internship in college ministry, you will know how intense and time consuming it can be). Basically I just look forward to getting to know her better and am quite willing to take the time. I just hope all the details work out.

Mom, I promise that it is because of church and YoungLife (and just being settled in general) that I don’t want to move to Seattle till as late as possible, she is just one more reason that I would rather stay. Seattle calls, I know that and look forward to it. I just need to stay here a bit longer. So if you are so inclined, please do pray for my job situation. I am no longer looking for something that actually has to do with my passions/gifts, but something that will allow me to pay the bills! Oh, and prayer for the dating stuff would also be greatly appreciated!