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Alison

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Alison (ajberste): 26, Female

Hometown:: Philadelphia, PA

Relationship Status:: Single

About Me:: I grew up in a small town in south central Pennsylvania. The semester before I graduated from college my Dad took a job outside of Philadelphia. When I graduated from college it made sense for me to move home. I've now lived in Philadelphia for 5 years and LOVE it! I just started a new job this summer working at a large university. I enjoy working with college students. Outside of work I enjoy being with friends and family. Summer is my favorite season of the year. The sea shore is my favorite place to be. I hope to someday visit Italy.

Favorite Music:: Any thing by Sara Groves, Chris Rice, Nicole Mullen and Nichole Nordeman. I love Whitney Houston. She reminds me of the 90s. Other random favorite artists include: Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and Corrinne May.

Favorite Movies:: Dan in Real LIfe. Jane Austin Flicks. The Holiday. Anne of Green Gables. Little Women, White Christmas, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffanies, The Muppets Tonight, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Elf

Favorite Books:: The Bible, Sense and Sensibility, The Chronicles of Narnia, Green Eggs and Ham, Little Women, The Littles, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Grapes of Wrath, Jane Eyre, The Linage of Christ Series

Favorite Authors:: Paul, Jane Austin, Francine Rivers, Beth Moore

Alison's Groups

Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are: (26 members)
Created by Jennifer Mesko

Philly Girls?: (9 members)
Created by Alison

Winning at Losing: (39 members)
Created by Candice Watters

Help Get Married: (70 members)
Created by Candice Watters

Forum

Being Single in Social Setting Where Everyone is a Couple

Added a post Apr 9

Rachel and Melissa thank you for your post. I'm sorry for the slow response... I have been busy with Grad School, but I have read your responses and appreciate it. When we are married we will certainly be able to show grace to our single girlfriends. Reply »

Being Single in Social Setting Where Everyone is a Couple
3 Replies

Started this discussion. Last reply by Alison Apr 9.

As I've headed into my mid-20s my circle of single girl friends has GREATLY shrunk. I find myself attending & being invited to social events where I'm surrounded by couples. I hate to miss out on parties and dinners out, but being surrounded by couples can be awkward and uncomfortable. Many times its only in these social settings that some of my girl friends have time to see me. My close girlfriends are good about making time to spend with me. But, I don't have that circle of single girl friends that gets together regularly for social events. If I want do things with a group of people its going to be with couples. I've asked my friends if their boyfriends/fiancees/husbands have single male friends, but they say no. The few single men I do meet at these parties tend to have the "Peter Pan Syndrome." I'm looking for advice from my other single sisters how they handle these situations. Reply »

How to Actively Wait?!?

Added a post Mar 14

Jamie, You said you were a teacher. What do you with your summers? Could you take a graduate course, volunteer at Christian summer camp, go on a short-term summer missions trip, visit friends or relatives that live in another part of the country? I live and work in the Philadelphia region. Lately, I have been thinking about how my current situation is not creating a lot of opportunities for me to meet other Christian single men. Its really hard to put yourself out there. Anyway, I have a passion to get my Master Degree, so I'm going back to school part-time in the fall. I'm also considering changing my living situation. I'm looking for an apartment closer to my job in the City with my sister. My plans are then to find a church with a larger single population. What are the passions on your heart? Look for opportunities to meet men who have similar passions. Your in my prayers. Alison Reply »

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Today' s My Birthday

Posted by Alison on April 3rd, 2008 at 6:15pm
2 Comments (Add a Comment)

Today's My Birthday...I'm 26 today. Never thought when I was in College I still would be single here at 26. Yet, here I am single and finding much to be thankful. This year has been quite eventful. I started a new job. My baby sis graduated from HS and went to college. My best friend from college got married and is now pregnant. Another friend had her first baby. I started a relationship and ended a relationship. I was accepted into graduate school. My dog died. I've made a couple new friends. I teach each Sunday a wonderful group of 4 & 5 yr olds. Each Sunday my class greets me with hugs. I have a family that loves me. I have my health. Everyday is an unexpected gift from God worth celebrating... How often we take for granted the simple blessings of life. A safe place to lay my head at night. Clean Water that comes out of the faucet either hot or cold. Electricity and Heat. Food to eat. The ability to walk, run, skip, clap my hands, shout out loud, listen to a beautiful song, or watch the sunset. I'm BLESSED...I thank God for my life and am excited for what lies ahead. I'm believing God that he has Good plans for me..... alright, i need to work on my homework.

Holy Week

Posted by Alison on March 15th, 2008 at 6:21pm
1 Comment (Add a Comment)

Tomorrow marks the start of Holy Week. I'm always overwhelmed on this week as I reflect on the death and resurrection of our Saviour. What does it mean to me to have a "New Life" in Christ? I've been lately studying the book of Hebrews. Hebrews 10:19-23 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. I just love this Image of Christ as our High Priest. That we can come to Christ in full confidence that he forgives our sins and hears our prays. I've been thinking a lot lately of how I want to live my life. Do I want to live my single years miserable or do I want to rejoice in God's goodness? Can I see his goodness in my life now? Am I moved by the Gospel that I want to see other lives changed? Many times I catch myself thinking my life will begin once I find that special someone. When this lie enters my head it only puts my in a bad mood. Its in these moments that i need to draw my heart closer to God and trust in his goodness. I'm feeling God challenging these days to find ways to "step out" in faith and serve him. As I step out in faith I will find my fulfillment in Christ. AND, just maybe my path will cross with the one I've called to marry. Either-way, its time for me to live.........

New week...

Posted by Alison on February 24th, 2008 at 6:00pm
2 Comments (Add a Comment)

I just went through a mutual breakup last week. It was hard for me to walk away from this relationship. He was a guy who was first my friend. Now we have no relationship. Its scary starting over. The hurt of the relationship is still there, yet I have this sense of God's peace. I think for the first time I'm really admitting to myself that I desire marriage. I want to tell everyone to keep me in mind when they meet a single Christian man. Before, I was so ashamed of my singleness I didn't want to talk about it. To talk about it would admit that I'm a failure. Its hard to not look at myself as a failure, but God is slowly changing this image of me. He is teaching me to not focus on the defeat, but instead focus on all that God is doing in my life. He is teaching me to trust in his hand and believe that he still has a plan for my life...

Does anyone have advice on how I should approach my new freedom of singleness?

Comment Wall (10 comments)

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At 9:49am on April 1st, 2008, Itsmemissy said: Creative Spiritz

Hello,may your day be a blessed
and Happy one!
Itsmemissy

Psalms 76:11
11 Fulfill all your vows that you have
made to Jehovah your God.Let
everyone bring him presents.He
should be reverenced and feared.

What are you Thankful to God about today?

At 9:30pm on March 22nd, 2008, Missy W. said: I know exactly what you mean. I have so much trouble seeing the BIG PICTURE when it comes to marriage. I am so inclinded to organize the parts of my life into boxes: there's the God box, the career box, the fun box, the marriage box, etc. instead of seeing God as the sovereign CENTER of all things and the ultimate goal and purpose of my life. It's impossible for me to try to put God of the universe in a box or even separate Him from anything in this life -- He is all in all. And luckily, my marriage isn't the one thing that God leaves up to me lol.

Thank you for offering to pray for me.
Please pray that God would make me more loving. I am so bound by my selfishness and my fear of man. I want to fix my eyes on Christ and really live for Him but I'm incapable of taking my eyes off of myself and it is paralyzing -- I feel like I'm in prison and I feel like I'm wasting me life. I need the strength and grace to surrender everything to God, and have Him reduce me to a life of love.

At 5:23pm on March 19th, 2008, Susan said: Thanks for starting the Philly group Alison!

At 2:14pm on March 19th, 2008, Beck L said: It's funny actually, I'm a self-professed cat person. This cute puppy was outside a hotel in Turkey during a holy land tour last spring. If I had a dog as a pet though, this would would have definately been a good choice.
I see you like Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island is the neighbouring province to us in New Brunswick, Canada.
Happy Easter!

At 7:07pm on March 15th, 2008, Rachel V. said: SU=Syracuse University in New York

At 5:02pm on March 15th, 2008, Wendy said: So how are you doing since you are newly single? I think part of this time may be a time of grieving over the break up and a time to press in to God to find comfort and grounding from Him. He will direct your next paths.

At 4:20pm on March 14th, 2008, Jaime said: hey Alison -
Thanks so much for the reply. It is SO cool how God works!!! I had about a month or so ago started the process of applying to both grad school and for a job at a Christian camp out in Colorado. My phone interview with the camp is next week and my final step for the grad school is just about done and I began to doubt whether or not it was such a good idea. Now, both may fall through the cracks, and that's fine, but reading your reply gave me that extra boost of encouragement that I needed to prepare for the interview and mail in the last of the grad school paperwork!!! Thanks so much!!
I hope things are going well with you . . I will be praying that the Lord gives you direction as you prepare to move and look for grad schools! Have a great weekend!