There are some things I'm starting to realize on this crazy trip of mine. Some Silly things, and deep things. Silly things like…honey in my instant coffee is better than sugar and I'm a creature of habit that has the HARDEST time ever remembering not to use the tap water to rinse my toothbrush. The deep are varied and run the spectrum of realizing that I'm more connected to God than I thought I was to realizing that I'm never going to quit grieving the loss of my parents or be sad for the fact that we never had the relationship I wished for. And the best one of all is that I was meant for spiritual adoption. It's all a little intense, I mean it's only week three and I'm already realizing this. I can't imagine what I'll discover about myself week 38.
I started going to Neighborhood Church in Chico on and off December of 2008. I would go with a Starbucks friend or two and we would sit in the middle trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Definitely didn't talk to anyone during the dance break, I either had a conversation with the person who I came with or I pretended to be preoccupied with my phone. This was a time in my life that I felt desperately alone, the only close family members I had were 8 hours away and there's only so much phone time I can handle. The prayer I prayed most often would be that God would "stick". That I would be so surrounded by Him that I couldn't possibly go a day with talking to Him or feeling His presence. Walking into The 9 at Neighborhood service felt safe and right, like God was saying to me, "Check this out, doesn't this seem like a place where I like to hang out? Good music, low lighting and lots of good looking people…"
Right around mid January I had my first counseling session with Mr. Andrew Burchett, who happens to be the lead pastor at Neighborhood. After my second session later on in the week I was invited over for dinner, and got to see the whole Burchie clan in action. It was quite a sight, here is a family who plays together, engages another in true conversation (not just with the adults but with the kids too), doesn't fake it in front of guests and has spontaneous wrestling matches. I fell in love with them instantly. About a month later I was "adopted" into the family. Like true, true adoption- -I'm so in that I'm in the Christmas card. At first I was sssssoooo skeptical (it took years, and lots of prayer to lose my skepticism). It was weird because its not like they are parent age, more like older sibling age. But still they took me in to their family. Once that "adoption" door was opened up, it was like God just kept pushing amazing Chico families my way: Sutherlands, Wadlows, Denic's, Emmons, Taylors, Silvia's, Josiassins's, Salbergs, Cooks, Shaffers, Hill's, Larson's, La Malfa's, Rydells just to name a few. They are all a bit different and all show me a different face of God. God has been showing me that he has always been giving me families to be adopted into like the Brubakers, Magnifico's, Harndins, Werner's, and the Tracy's even before my Mom passed away. It's true that some adoption only lasts for a season, but others are guaranteed for a lifetime. I don't know who are the lifers and who are the season families but I'm choosing not worry about that.
I am just so awed by the this gift that God has given me. He has given me true community and relationships that sharpen me. I am overwhelmed by this fact… how in the world am I so lucky that I get to be a part of so many people’s lives. I don't think lucky is the word, I think chosen is the right word. What a gift. And for this season that I'm on the race I have the opportunity to be adopted into another family, my D squad Family. It's still in the beginning stages but it's looking like this is going to be another family that is filled with laughter, tears, adventures, ministry and change. Just one more gift from God.
Well, to wrap it all up God has answered my prayer. After praying so long and hard back in the day that he would stick around and make it so that I couldn't get away…I'm official STUCK with him. One: I'm on a yearlong missions trip with him, and two: I'd have to break up with all of these amazing families I listed above and some more that I didn't list to get away from him. And I can't imagine ever doing that. So…I'm stuck. 
Here is a pic of my Big 'Ol adopted family at Neighborhood Church praying for and sending me out on the Race. The lovely Thrasher-Wheatly's took this pic, and pointed out just how awesome it is that I came to this church knowing no one…and now look at my family. Love it.
