10 days left, 86% and climbing....

Ever since I hit the 75% mark and was able to buy the plane ticket (about 2 weeks ago) I have really started realizing, Oh snap!, I'm actually going to Austria! So I've begun processing all the logistics (not my specialty) and brain-storming, more like brain-hurricane-ing, everything that needs to happen between now and January 16th. Generally speaking, I'm a down to the wire guy, which could mean that on the night of January 15th, I will be frantically scurrying about while jam-packing my suitcase full of all those last-minute necessities. I'm trying to do everything I can to prevent that from happening, but I just know myself too well....

With the progression of the support raising, life has been interesting to say the least. I haven't worked since mid-December, but I haven't lacked busy-ness or business. I have been kept occupied with one art project after another! Whether it has been a 4x8 board of a name in graffiti, or a bedroom, I've been spray-painting my little heart out. The funny thing is I've made a decent amount of money off of the projects, which has been nice being that I'm unemployed and raising money! Here's examples of the art I've done:
"Emily" and "Alice"



I was having a tough time towards the last part of December. Christmas was great, being with the family was the highlight for sure. But I had been experiencing some anxiety and lonliness which all seemed to consumate on New Year's eve. I had nothing going on that night and was really hoping to do something fun. My few friends were either working or out of town. I realized how I don't really have an intimate community base here at home. I started feeling really isolated and disconnected and looking back in life, these have been feelings I have desperately fled from in the past. Anyhow, after a few more unsuccessful attempts to find something to do , I decided to stay in for the night. I remembered that the International House of Prayer (IHOP, not to be confused with the pancake joint) had a conference going on over New Year's with a live webstream. So I tuned into that, and no less than 5 minutes of watching the worship, I broke down. I don't cry a lot, in fact, I hadn't cried for almost 3 years before this month! But I wept. Man, it hurt so good. I needed to be where I was that night. I'm glad I didn't force my way into a situation just because I couldn't face being lonely. God is my portion. People just can't give me the fulfilment what I'm looking for, only God's love can. I'm a broken man and I want 2009 to be a year of resisting all the things that I turn to in place of intimacy with God.
Amen.

Jake