My heart..

As I prepare to leave for Africa in just 4 short weeks I feel a little mother hen coming on. I am busy writing lists, checking off lists, adding to my list to make sure I can check it off (come on, you know you've done it), and in the midst of the madness I felt a little tug in my heart. Somehow over the last two years I've absolutely fallen in love with these rascals.  I remind the kids in the after school program often that I'm going to be gone for a few weeks- mostly so there are no surprises and somehow I can bribe them to have great behavior. But, after two of them begged me to take them with me yesterday I got just a bit sadness in my heart. These kids have become my joy and two weeks away is going to be quite the challenge on this heart of mine. I know my days and heart will be full while in South Sudan, but what a blessing these kids have become in my life!

I have two kids who are experiencing quite a heart breaking situation at home. They are confused and know way too much and my heart breaks for them. Mother hen wants to just keep them and all their middle school boy stickiness behind my safe doors :)

However, the good Lord has kept me and will continue to hold me and provide and I know they will be well taken care of. I have an incredible army of volunteers who probably happen to love them just as I do and I know it will be a great two weeks. Again, so blessed.

Pray for these boys, pray for the kids and for my mother hen heart :)

xoxo,
jessi

That's really what they said...

I interact with many different groups of people throughout a typical week. Keeps life exciting, but more than that comical. Here's a peek as to why..

"I didn't poop my pants this morning" Kindergartner on the playground at school (sidenote: her story was a different a few mornings previous...)

"It felt yummy outside yesterday" First grader refrencing the beautiful weather we had

Me: "Thanks for being so nice and well-mannered today Jim*"
Jim*: "Yeah, it's not so fun for me, don't get used to it"
....one can dream of well-mannered students and every once in awhile dreams really do some true
*Students name changed for his protection, but you can could probably take two guesses and be right :)

"Who's poop is on the toilet seat" Moritified midde school girl (are you noticing a trend..lots of poop in my life)

"You should have just fixed the Bonnie, it had so much class" Wise wise freshmen student in the tutoring program ...the Bonnie will be dearly missed by more than just me :)

"Jessi is always nice" Piano student, who didn't complete theory assignments assuring her mom it would be ok...maybe I'm TOO nice!

"Love you's" Plenty of people in my life that encourage, uplift and support me through this crazy journey of life. Grateful for who you all are and how you not only love me but 'my kids' too!

xoxo,
jessi

Important matters.

"People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I've noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: they hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one would. They aren't determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they're satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world." Beth Clark in the forward for the book "Kisses from Katie"

I read these words today and needed the 'one smile' reminder after weeks of long to do lists and crazy days. Life is good- but the tempo of my rhythm moves quite quickly and though I feel like I've hit the sweet spot of four part-time jobs I wake up most mornings awfully tired. I have been incredibly blessed though and am daily reminded that individuals are extremely important and every life matters.

3 Important matters:
1.camp-out day at the tutoring center. we roasted marshmallows (with a sterno obviously) and built tents and we WORKED TOGETHER, in peace. This is important and the group dynamics and teamwork that I'm seeing each day is blowing my mind. These smiles, these kids...they are what matter

 Inside girl tent #1 (there were mutliple rounds of fun folks!)

What currently hangs in my basement and has been named "The Hut"

2.  this kid. Last year at this time I was ready to throw in the towel...with him as the ring leader. Fast forward one year and he has on my pink apron and we bake together in the kitchen, weekly. I have seen glimpses of love and grace shine through even just in the last few weeks and he is an example of 'one smile' and unshakable conviction of individuals matter. It's beautiful to walk this journey of life with him and the 15 or so others. Each student that attends Powerhouse could have an important bullet written about them

3. South Sudan. April 10th-23rd I'll be going on another adventure to South Sudan, Africa to dig a well, plant a farm, work in the schools and whatever the good Lord has in store for us. I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm far from ready- but excited to see what lies ahead. I have three things on my big dream list...check off number 2, see an African sunset. I feel so blessed!

xoxo,

jessi