An Abundant Life - New Jersey Rocks

I moved to New Jersey almost ten years ago after many years of living in Manhattan. I had always found amazing apartments in Manhattan - inexpensive, in the best neighborhoods, funky and fun with old detail and great neighbors. Then ten years ago I was born again, during a time when I needed to find a new place to live, and all of a sudden I couldn't find any of the old and charming deals I used to find. I always say I came out to New Jersey kicking and screaming, and though that may be a metaphor, in reality I was pouting and crying and complaining to God every step of the way. Here I was, working in ministry, finally listening to God and for the first time trying to live my life in ways that would be pleasing to Heaven, and all of a sudden I wasn't being blessed with an apartment where I wanted to live. What was this mess all about?

I moved into my first apartment in Jersey City Heights sight unseen - a friend from church had found it for me and talked to the landlord. Don't get me wrong - I was in a place in my life where I was thankful to have a roof over my head - I had lost my business and my home and everything I thought I cared about over the course of a year and I was at the lowest point I had ever thought possible. But New Jersey? And after all those years of living in amazing spaces in Manhattan when I wasn't following God's ways - what was that all about? As I complained and whined and cried, the voice kept answering me, "Look around you." At first I thought it was ministry God was telling me to see opportunities for, but there are plenty of opportunities for ministry in Manhattan and I was working with a ministry there at the time. But still the voice kept saying, "Look around you," and so I started listening to the leading of that voice and started walking around with my eyes open for what I was supposed to see.

I don't have a car, and so I walk everywhere I can, and as I walked, I started to find shops and thrift stores, to meet people and find lovely parks and events and a lifestyle that was more than I could have ever dreamed of. I realized that all along God had been blessing me by moving me out here, and that sometimes those blessings come in ways we haven't thought possible. Last year I moved into a new apartment, and at the time people were asking me if I would ever consider Manhattan again if the opportunity arose. I love some things about my past in Manhattan, and still like to visit some of my old haunts, but New Jersey is awesome, and I thank God every day for the blessing He has given me by moving me here.

I had a long week last week, but there were two events I attended that rejuvenated me in so many ways. That's one of the wonderful things about living where I live. There are so many people and places and things that are inspiring and uplifting, and I'll share here just a few of them with more to come.

Taking Good Care Of Yourself

Hair Cult on Washington Street in Hoboken is a salon I've walked past many times and always thought I wanted to walk in. I don't get my hair cut professionally any more because it's hard to find a long hair care specialist who will let me keep my hair naturally, and the one that I used to go to, although he was wonderful, is much too expensive for my budget these days. When I heard from Jennifer Sutton, a wonderful stylist for Stella&Dot, that there was an event at Hair Cult, it gave me an opportunity to go there and see why it was so alluring. Now that I've experienced their great hospitality, it's making me want to go back for a styling. It's been a long time and  maybe it's time to treat myself to a professional cut. With a full line of Aveda products, Hair Cult is also combined with Marma Day Spa, so I might just have to make a special day of it.

Hair Cult & Marma Day Spa

1124 Washington Street

Hoboken, NJ

(201) 795-2220

www.hair-cult.com

Jennifer Sutton, Stella&Dot Stylist Extraordinaire
With A Very Happy Customer

Amazing Styles From
Stella&Dot

Interchangeable Pieces To Keep Your Wardrobe Fresh

Hosted In The Most Natural And Lovely Surroundings
Of Hair Cult And Marma Day Spa
An Aveda Salon

Doing Good With The Best

I wrote about Karen Nason and her wonderful Hoboken Hothouse a few weeks ago, and after I stopped by Hair Cult I walked across town to visit her at FUSE where she was hosting a fundraising event for Layups4Life. Karen is a powerhouse of good times and good food and good fun. She's also great people and has great people around her. The food was divine, the music amazing, and I had the opportunity to learn about a charitable cause that supports cancer research and meet the founder. If that's not a recipe for a wonderful evening, I don't know what is.

FUSE

Karen Nason, Owner

256 Newark Street

Hoboken, NJ

(201) 792-3873

Facebook Fuse-Events

Karen Nason Lends Her Gorgeous Voice And Style

An Outdoor Space With A Waterfall

The Founder Of Layups4Life
www.layups4life.org

Happy Easter!

Blessings,

Jannie Susan