Weehawken, Woo Hoo!

This is just a quick update for my slew of readers out there. I became an offical resident of the city today. I now have a place to live in Weehawken, NJ. I will be moving in on Thursday with my new roommate Collin. He is 25 and very affable. We each will have two rooms to ourselves and will share the rest. I have no idea what to do with two rooms which is a great problem to have when moving to New York. I think one will be my bedroom, obviously, and the other will be my reading room where I can listen to jazz and read books and fill out my blogs which will be inspired by my new metorpolitan experiences and... my incredible view of Manhattan through my window.

My purpose in NY revealed, Kenny.

I knew from the beginning that if God wanted me to be in New York, he would provide. But, the Lord wouldn't bring me to the city unless there was a purpose for me to be here. Today I felt like my purpose has already begun. I haven't started work, I don't even have a home yet, but I feel like God is already using me here, and I love it.
As I wandered the streets today searching for a job as a waiter, I came across an odd man outside a restaurant. He looked like a normal person but wasn't at work and needed to shave. When he started talking to me I realized that something was missing upstairs. I smelled some alcohol on his breath and knew he was pretty drunk. It was only noon. We didn't really talk about a certain topic, rather he rambled on about...I don't know. He did mention, though, that he was a Christian Jew. I asked him to explain to me. I also asked if he believed in Jesus and he said absolutely. He also dropped hints about his recent past as a struggling alcoholic. He can't see his daughter and recently lost his job. Out of nowhere he mentioned that he "goes" to church at Times Square Church, which is where I visited the day before and Loved it. I told him I went there and he could hardly believe it. Right then, we both realized that we were meant to meet right there on the street.
I felt horrible for the things he has been through and encouraged him to quit drinking. He is certainly struggling through life right now and it is only getting harder as he continues to drink. I promised to pray for him all week and urged him to be at church on Sunday. When we departed, he was in tears. I could see the Holy Spirit convicting him as we spoke.
I was so excited that I met Kenny and was able to pray for him and encourage him. I know that I will see Kenny somewhere, sometime soon. How awesome it feels to know God has already begun to reaveal his purpose for me here in ministering to people who are suffering with out His lead in their life. I can't wait to get settled into this city at work, in my community and in a church home. I am so excited to see more opportunites to minister and see God's hand move in my life.

Baby Steps

I am realizing now that my time table for moving to the City was way off. First of all, I started talking with Starbucks in May. Just now in mid-September have they finished something off for me, and it isn't quite the position I aimed for in the beginning. More on that later. Also, apartment hunting is quite a lengthy process. I have yet to step into a possible home for myself. I think that tomorrow I'll have some break throughs on that. I am also searching for a second job as a waiter. I feel like I've made little or no progress on that. A few restaurant managers took my resume and two offered sincere advice but none have shown a glimmer of hope for employment. One thing is working quickly and that is my search for a church home. I have many options but today I went to Times Square Church and was blown away. The pastor, David Wilkerson, wrote a book that I read last summer. That is one reason I visited today and I definitely see the Lord's hand in that. It is an enormous congregation, around 5,000 I think. They meet at 51st and Broadway in an old theater. It is beautiful in side with intricate designs and paintings on the walls. I thought it was neat that there was an enormous crown looking carving in above the stage guarded by two angels. I usually hate cheesy things like this but it reminded me Christ the 'King' and it is in the middle of Times Square Church. Anyway, the music was great. A big choir and a seven piece band led a mixture of hymns and modern praise and the entire building shook to the beat of the praise. Everyone clapped and was sincerely singing to God. After that Pastor Wilkerson brought a message that was the opposite of low-key. More like, no-holds-barred style preaching. He spoke on the Holy Spirit and how Americans don't really let it into the church or experience it to the fullest. He put the fear of God into me and every other person in the room. I would go more into detail but you had to be there, because it was the Spirit of God.

So, I am taking baby steps toward making New York my home. God has a plan for me here, I learned that today. And he will provide in due time as long as I trust him to do it. I have a job and maybe a new church home. Now I get to be blessed with an apartment, maybe a roommate and a new job. Be in prayer.

Start Spreading the News

Sinatra spoke for us all when he sang,

Start spreading the news. I'm leaving today.
I want to be a part of it New York, New York.

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.
Its up to you New York, New York.

At last, my life after college is taking some definite shape. I have been anxiously waiting over the past four months for the next step of my life and now it seems I am on the cusp of a great transition. As I write this I am on my one-way flight to Newark, NJ where I will stay with Andrew for the time being. I have my final interview with Starbucks where my New York destiny will be determined. Ever since my first visit to New York two years ago, I have wanted to live nowhere but there. It looks like my dreams may finally be coming to fruition.

It was sad this morning having to leave my family. I know they will miss me a lot and I already miss them. I joked about how disappointed everyone would be if this job doesn't work out and I'm back in Houston next week. I really do feel like God is working things out for me though and that my dream life in New York may actually be happening.

So here I am on the East Coast. God only knows what will happen next...

Laborless Labor Day

Labor Day is usually a coveted three-day weekend by people that have jobs but since I am still unemployed it was just another day. Nevertheless, Micah had the day off and his wife was at school so we decided to spend it together.

He came into Kingwood for lunch. I cooked some sausage on the grill and we had that on tortillas with corn on the side. Always one of our favorites, Carpe Meatus! After my dad yelled at me for not helping him powerwash the driveway, we elected to leave the premises.

The Astros were playing an afternoon game so we decided to go get some $5 tickets. As luck had it, a man at the gate had two extra tickets and gave them two us. We didnt' really want to sit with them though so we snuch into some cool seats on the left field porch. Eventhough we weren't hungry, it was dollar hot dog day so we had to buy a few. The Astros romped on the Reds. We saw three homers in one inning and the pitcher hit a two run shot the next inning. When we left in the 8th the 'stros were winning 11-1.

Micah lives really close to the park. On our walk home we decided to stop into the neighborhood corner store. We bought a six-pack of Miller High Life 16 oz. and landed ourselves poolside at his apartment. The sun was hot on that September afternoon and we were living... the High Life.

I'd like to mention my new Alex Wood Quotable Moment. We saw a girl at the pool pouring a Dos Equis into a cup for her boyfriend. Although I was jealous a bikini clad lady wasn't pouring my drinks, I don't think Dos Equis should be served in a pink plastic cup. In imitation of the boyfriend I shook my head and said, "Baby, that ain't the High Life." ... guess you had to be there.

After the sun was down, we went up to the apartment and a spaghetti dinner with Jacy while we watched Seinfeld reruns. I cannot get enough of that show. I was meeting Jenn for coffee at seven so I split after the dinner. I know Micah and Jacy had things to attend to. Jenn and I sat at Brasil and talked for three hours. She's moving to New York on Friday so we talked about that and life in general. Hopefully I'll follow her up there soon.