powerhouse

We've been moving right along for two weeks already at the Powerhouse after school program. I'm learning quickly what it's like to work two jobs directly with people often with high needs. My heart is so full each day and I often just wish I could do it all for each person I come into contact with. Consequently I collapse into bed each night grateful for the opportunity to do this life, and to sleep fast for what the next day will bring.

My after school kids are incredible. I didn't know pleasant and middle schooler could go in the same sentence- but I have the best of the best for sure. It helps that we hung out all summer long and they are such good friends. Like one big messed up family around here!

They come each day after school- usually racing. I told them to keep racing...makes me feel good, ha. We eat snacks, play games (i still have not won at battleship), do homework, work on achieve3000, laugh, cook, and they truly make me be a better person

I know i'm in exactly the right place, especially being in this house. It's like my dream come true to welcome students into my home to provide just a little extra consistency and love each day of their lives. I am blessed beyond measure in the timing of this and now see so clearly how much I was being prepared to be right here.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you" John 14:27. Resting in His undeniable peace in these moments!

Some of my beauties...(huge props to Megs on the table, we love it!!!)

Damious, with the aviators...whatever it takes to get the job done!

Words Travel

For my job with the volunteers of America I have been trained in a program called words travel. My boss asked me if I'd be interested in this program as she thinks there is little these days that would scare me. That's pretty close to accurate, but this particular day gave me a little run for my money.

Words Travel is a parternship with VOA and scholastic books that takes a reading curriculum into jails around the country. So, I have been trained in words travel and had my first experience ever in a jail! This program is designed to teach moms and dads about six different genre's of literature and then read the book and tape it for their children. We spend about an hour a week for 8 weeks going through stories and recording the books.

So, there I found myself ripping and running through my day and pulling up the jail that I'd driven past a hundred times. Never did I think I'd find myself standing between the locked doors awaiting a group of 6 women. Thankfully, I attended the first session with a seasoned veteran - one who knew all the tricks about the doors, where to go, and which rooms and chairs worked the best. Boy, I have a lot to learn.

Before I knew it I was in and just standing there amidst crowds of black and white stripes and women collecting the 'best chairs'. The guard escorted us down the hall and we were locked in a little room, known as the 'multi-purpose room'....i call it major claustorphobia!

I sat there taking in my surroundings, trying to keep my nervous legs from shaking and listening intently to the lesson and the story, which happend to be "Amazing Grace" today (great story!). I watched men walk by the window with handcuffs and wink at the ladies, big yawns from one momma next to me, but more than anything just six women wanting to love on their children.

I was struck by the normalcy of this situation and realized that these are just regular people who had made bad decisions and deserve a second chance just like the rest of us. Suddenly why they were there didn't matter and the black and white stripes quickly faded as they talked so lovingly about their toddlers and school children who they desperately loved.

I left with a heaviness in my heart as they went back to the rec rooms with the ladies who have become their friends. These women are no different than you and me as I mess up a hundred times a day. But, I have hope in a God that forgives and saves with unending grace and I hope that these women will know that God too. It's my prayer that between rhyming and storytelling that glimpses of Christ's love and forgiveness would shine through to the women I meet.