Earlier, my sisters and I were joking about that quote. It's so "middle school" which is why were saying it sarcastically. But, as I think about that quote, I also think about my grandfather. The reason being, we went over to his house today to go through his things and begin packing, cleaning, discarding...It was a lot harder than I anticipated it to be. For those of you who don't know, my grandpa (on dad's side) passed away VERY unexpectedly last Thanksgiving day (talk about the crappiest Thanksgiving ever). I miss him. I miss him very much. Today wasn't the first time I had been out to his house since he passed. But you know how there are things about a person that, when you see those things make you smile and think of that person? Well, that's exactly what happened today. I walked into his bedroom and stumbled across a pair of shoes that he wore ALL the time. Then, there was his ring. On his night stand sat his glasses, folded neatly, as if he had just used them last night before turning out the light before going to bed. Those were the "things" that made me smile and think of, and really miss gramps. At that point, I had to step outside and just breathe...and shed a couple of tears. And amidst those tears I thought, "God, why? It's not fair," and "This sucks. I hate death. I hate facing the fact he's really gone," and "The stupid doctors. I feel like they didn't know what they were doing. If only..." and finally all I could really do was sigh, try and shake it all off and walk back into the house.
At this point, that quote somewhat describes where I am these days. I'm trying to focus on all of the amazing memories we had with gramps, the fact that he loved Jesus, was so giving and carrying, the fact that he called his cell phone a "cell-da-phone" or how when he was about to leave our house he would say, "Well, let me get up on down this road," or how much he loved old time gospel music and how when we would all sing together, he would be the loudest one in the room (although he couldn't really carry a tune), stomping his foot on the floor. Lol...oh goodness. All of that makes me "smile because it happened."
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
I'm back! :)
Ok. So I've been reading other people's blogs and it's made me want to update mine on a more consistent basis. So, with that being said, be on the lookout for more frequent blog posts!
I am currently home in Madison. Me and two other amazing women are throwing my sister Erica a bridal shower. All 6 of us girls are home for the weekend and it's been so fun getting to hangout with them! My little sisters have grown up SO much. They are lovely young girls who I'm so proud of as I hear them talk about all that they are accomplishing at school. From being student ambassadors to getting good grades in school, these girls have so much going for them and I'm excited to see where life takes them!
So, we decided to do some fun random things last night. We played an old childhood game called Hide the Block and we also played Marry, Date or Dump and a couple of games of Dutch Blitz (an Amish game similar to Nerts). :) Fun times!! I love those girls.
I am currently home in Madison. Me and two other amazing women are throwing my sister Erica a bridal shower. All 6 of us girls are home for the weekend and it's been so fun getting to hangout with them! My little sisters have grown up SO much. They are lovely young girls who I'm so proud of as I hear them talk about all that they are accomplishing at school. From being student ambassadors to getting good grades in school, these girls have so much going for them and I'm excited to see where life takes them!
So, we decided to do some fun random things last night. We played an old childhood game called Hide the Block and we also played Marry, Date or Dump and a couple of games of Dutch Blitz (an Amish game similar to Nerts). :) Fun times!! I love those girls.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Summer Camp Pictures
Praise and worship time!
Fieldtrip to a Nigerian restuarant
Hanging out at the playground!
Now that summer camp is almost over...
DayBreak is in its 2nd to last week of summer camp and only now have I been able to find a few minutes to sit down and make a post.
This summer has been...a learning experience. It's been very hard, tiring, emotional, fun and frustrating all at the same time. Our summer camp is for children grades k-5 and we split them by grade into two different locations (we are renting space from a church around the corner for the older group). I'm running the younger group, k-2, and we started out with 18 kids on our roster and it has gone to to 9! A few kids have been expelled and some stopped coming because their parents stopped walking them over here. Despite the craziness, I've been able to see God work. One child asked Jesus to come into his heart! He was genuinely excited as he went around to different kids telling them, "Hey! Jesus is in my heart! I asked him to come into my heart. I can feel him!" :) It was so precious!
To be honest, it has been hard to learn how to really love and show love to the people in this community. I find my frustration creating a wall that causes me to only extend but so much compassion and love. I get frustrated when children fight for no real reason or when parents could care less about the well being of their children or that many adults don't have a job and just sit around all day every day. BUT...because God can do anything, he is daily showing me how to love the children and adults here in Lincoln Heights. I'm realizing that many of the children I work with are wearing masks that make them appear to be strong indivudials who can take anything thrown at them, who show no emotion and can act more like an adult than a child. It's all a facade. The more love and mercy we extend to these children, the more the walls come down and I recognize that these children do show emotion and simply need someone to show them love.
I'm reading a book called, "From Brokeness to Community" and the author states, "It is important to bring broken people into a community of love, a place where they feel accepted and recognized in their gifts, and have a sense of belonging." That is what we (DayBreak) are trying to do. That is what I'm trying to do.
On a little bit of a lighter note, we went on a field trip a few weeks ago to the Folk Life Festival in downtown DC. The festival was on the National Mall. A child decided it would be a great idea to go number one, in front of lots of people, in the middle of the mall. Looking back at it, it's hilarious! At that moment I was not happy!! Haha...What made it worse was that we I dropped the kids and the interns off while I drove around in a 15 passenger van trying to find a place to park, which is almost impossible in the city with a huge vehicle. After having driven around for 20 minutes or so, one of the interns called to tell me the kids were misbehaving to the point that she suggested we take them all back. So, we did. What an experience! :)
Continue praying that God would continue to work even as summer camp winds down. Pray that He would continue the work He has started in this community.
This summer has been...a learning experience. It's been very hard, tiring, emotional, fun and frustrating all at the same time. Our summer camp is for children grades k-5 and we split them by grade into two different locations (we are renting space from a church around the corner for the older group). I'm running the younger group, k-2, and we started out with 18 kids on our roster and it has gone to to 9! A few kids have been expelled and some stopped coming because their parents stopped walking them over here. Despite the craziness, I've been able to see God work. One child asked Jesus to come into his heart! He was genuinely excited as he went around to different kids telling them, "Hey! Jesus is in my heart! I asked him to come into my heart. I can feel him!" :) It was so precious!
To be honest, it has been hard to learn how to really love and show love to the people in this community. I find my frustration creating a wall that causes me to only extend but so much compassion and love. I get frustrated when children fight for no real reason or when parents could care less about the well being of their children or that many adults don't have a job and just sit around all day every day. BUT...because God can do anything, he is daily showing me how to love the children and adults here in Lincoln Heights. I'm realizing that many of the children I work with are wearing masks that make them appear to be strong indivudials who can take anything thrown at them, who show no emotion and can act more like an adult than a child. It's all a facade. The more love and mercy we extend to these children, the more the walls come down and I recognize that these children do show emotion and simply need someone to show them love.
I'm reading a book called, "From Brokeness to Community" and the author states, "It is important to bring broken people into a community of love, a place where they feel accepted and recognized in their gifts, and have a sense of belonging." That is what we (DayBreak) are trying to do. That is what I'm trying to do.
On a little bit of a lighter note, we went on a field trip a few weeks ago to the Folk Life Festival in downtown DC. The festival was on the National Mall. A child decided it would be a great idea to go number one, in front of lots of people, in the middle of the mall. Looking back at it, it's hilarious! At that moment I was not happy!! Haha...What made it worse was that we I dropped the kids and the interns off while I drove around in a 15 passenger van trying to find a place to park, which is almost impossible in the city with a huge vehicle. After having driven around for 20 minutes or so, one of the interns called to tell me the kids were misbehaving to the point that she suggested we take them all back. So, we did. What an experience! :)
Continue praying that God would continue to work even as summer camp winds down. Pray that He would continue the work He has started in this community.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
A New Beginning
Although I was sad to leave Richmond, I was excited about making a transition and moving closer to DC (since I love the city!) and starting my job at Daybreak Ministries. Moving from Richmond to the DC area has definately been a big adjustment! In all honesty, the drivers here really are crazy, especially in the city. Also, in the past 3 weeks that I have been here, I have managed to miss a turn almost every other day and I find myself getting lost anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Needless to say, I need a GPS. :)
Despite the wreckless drivers and all of the wrong turns I've made, I am loving my job! For those of you who don't know the full details of my job, I am working for Daybreak Ministries as the Elementary Coordinator. I implement all of the lesson plans and other programs for the children in grades k-5. We run an after school program in the school year for grades k-12, a 6 week summer program, and all year-round tutoring. We have a duplex in Lincoln Heights neighborhood which is the community we serve. It breaks my heart to see the conditions these families are living in, the things they are exposed to, as well as where some of the children are academically, but God is doing awesome things in the community. I am excited to be a part of that work! For more info, please check out Daybreak's website...www.daybreakkids.org.
I intend to make a post everyone once in awhile. I always thought, "I will never create a blog. That's silly!" Well, what do you know! :) Because I can't talk with everyone regularly, I wanted to create a blog to enable my friends and family to read about all of the great things happening in my life and in Lincoln Heights. Until next time...
Despite the wreckless drivers and all of the wrong turns I've made, I am loving my job! For those of you who don't know the full details of my job, I am working for Daybreak Ministries as the Elementary Coordinator. I implement all of the lesson plans and other programs for the children in grades k-5. We run an after school program in the school year for grades k-12, a 6 week summer program, and all year-round tutoring. We have a duplex in Lincoln Heights neighborhood which is the community we serve. It breaks my heart to see the conditions these families are living in, the things they are exposed to, as well as where some of the children are academically, but God is doing awesome things in the community. I am excited to be a part of that work! For more info, please check out Daybreak's website...www.daybreakkids.org.
I intend to make a post everyone once in awhile. I always thought, "I will never create a blog. That's silly!" Well, what do you know! :) Because I can't talk with everyone regularly, I wanted to create a blog to enable my friends and family to read about all of the great things happening in my life and in Lincoln Heights. Until next time...
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