stares

...i'm not talking about 190+ stairs i run each Sunday during boot camp with Rodney (who is the Ohio body builder champ as of Saturday to help you get a little visual...) but rather the many stares I've experienced living in this community.

The other day a friend of mine requested some 'magno arizona tea and jay's bbq chips with the ridges'- so i went to 'the store' as the kids would say, this means the gas station and got just that...juice and chips. In the first year I lived here i was too scared to even get gas at the gas station much less go inside and buy chips. But, I've long been over that and stood there amongst my community buying juice and chips. I wish you could have been an onlooker, I could almost feel the eyes burning on me with the questions of what is she doing here. I know I stick out like a sore thumb but I'm oddly comfortable with that because of what it stands for. (I also jump at an opportunity to go into 'the store' to take advantage of all the quarter candy at the checkout. It's the best!)

The store is only the beginning of the stares, but as the result of living and working in the community many of those stares have changed to hellos and for that I'm grateful. People seemed a little skeptical in the beginning- young, college-grad, white, girl...not a recipe for the ghetto of Detroit. But, through bbq's, sleepovers, and lawn-mowing understanding soon took over. I simply became a neighbor, one that happened to be ok with large crowds of children eating pancakes on her porch.

Though people still stare and the occasional mom demands an explanation of how south dakota ended up in detroit, my three years here have been a success. I have truly been blessed by this community that has grown in me a love for BBQ chicken and fat beats (i can already hear my mom...fat beats? haha) but also a passion and desire for this to be my life no matter where I land. Loving people and living with them and figuring out life together, even if that means people will continue to stare.

Home

So, I guess I'm not so good of a blogger as life (like i've said before) here has become so normal to me. Which, is good I guess. But, apparently I do have a few fans that have reminded me it's been awhile (i think all bloggers say that) so, i thought i'd share some news (may be old, may be new)

Let me start off like this...

Growing up on Magnolia Ave. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota I had the most beautiful home. Now, it wasn't just beautiful because my mom painted every other year and ran 'errands' (right Dad? :)) every night to help in this beauty...but it was beautiful more because of the way it felt there. It was warm, it was loving, and it was so comfortable. Anybody was welcome in our home at any time (well, for the most part). In fact, Joy was so comfortable and welcome she would just breeze her way in and join the fesitivities even without a knock. We had many a parties at that house including the best surprise 18th birthday party thrown by the very best of friends a girl could ask for. Seriously, I had no idea and that was no easy feat. Well, that home that my parents and my sister and I created over many years is being packed up this very week and I've already 'said' my goodbyes. As my parents load the boxes and move in with Kell for a few months it's almost as if that era of life is being put to rest. Boy, will I miss that house and all the memories that were made there.

However, as I moved to Detroit (THREE YEARS AGO!) and eventually bought a house of my own those memories and tactics seemed to put into place quite quickly. Not only do the looks of it have a resemblance of my mother, but if you'd followed my blog at all or heard stories of my time here my house quickly became a home to so many. It was truly a place that I would welcome any, even if it meant giving up my bed for two weeks. Each night of the summer when the little knock at the door came I would welcome the beautiful smiling faces in with open arms to play connect 4 or ladderball. My house quickly became a home thanks to the memories and love that my parents shared with me and that was shared in my home on Magnolia.

In another few months this era of life will come to a close as well. Funny how it's happening yet again through a home. I'll be packing up my Detroit home, my very first home that I absolutely adore and moving back to Sioux Falls. I'll be loading up a Uhaul and delivering my belongings to a new house in Sioux Falls where I'll live and begin another community development effort. I'll also be doing after school tutoring programs out of this house with middle school students- a job I could not confidently accept without the position I had this year at City Mission. I'm excited to make this new house a home, and welcome and love those that find themselves there. I'm excited to use the experience and skills I've learned over the past three years in Detroit to give back and nurture a place that helped me grow into who I am today. I'm sad, very sad to leave the people that have become family to me in this place that have helped this place become home to me. I love these people so dearly. But, it's time for me to continue on and I'm excited to continue the stories from my new home.

Love, Jessi

So the Sanders family came and went in shifts. After many phonecalls passed around the circle i came to the realization that they are kind of sick of each other. How could you not be with 6 other kids in the house. So, they came in two different shifts and it was so great to see these kids again.

Since all of metro Detroit gets a week long winter break the little girls came on Tuesday and went home on Wednesday. We sure packed in the activities while they were here. It was Ashley, Angel, Krissie, me and Miss Dana and we had a blast.

We played hide and seek in my house. I will never tire of this game and secretly wish to play it- especially in the dark. I love especially cramming small children in little places...living vicariouly through them I guess. I will say I had some pretty bomb spots myself :). We made cookies of which I tried not to devour every one of them (would like to note we used my star pan and heart pan both incredible thrift store finds...i love thrifting). We made grill cheese on the panini, made birthday and valentine day cards, started weaving a purse (this was not quick and easy therefore I'm sure the promise to 'finish it later' was not followed through, tis ok!), played the piano, ate at our favorite place..Red Robin and had the ever talked about and promised Spa Night. (I forgot to add we made a trip to the mall to drop Courtney off with the fabulous Devon to get back to Grand Rapids. I forgot to mention because it was a trip from hell as the twins were to tall to play in the play place and Krissie got knocked in the mouth with the result of a big fat bloody lip. Though, I did get to at least hug the fabulous Devon with a future happytown visit guarenteed :).

So needless to say these girls always give me so much joy. I miss having them down the street like crazy but truly know now that they are in a better place considering the circumstances. They are hilarious, honest, and so loving and I am blessed to know them- truly blessed.

Here's a few pictures....enjoy!

This was the card making session....the OCD side of me was twitching inside and you know I busted out the vaccuum when were done!

Miss Dana and Angel relaxing at the spa...including cucumbers on the eyes?!? The girls think this is what you do at the spa...so we did it...comical!

So as I was snapping the abovie picture, Krissie decided enough with the eyes and sat up and started eating the cucumber. We laughed so hard. I think she ate a whole cucumber by the end of the night. It was so precious!

love.

These pretty girls called me the other night (and their handsome brother too). Ashley is the one that called but about 45 minutes later they had all passed the phone around the circle...including little Krissie who got on the phone and chatted with me like she was a teenager- so cute. I miss these kids, a lot. I miss the craziness, love and joy they brought to our lives. But, I know they are in a good place considering the circumstance and considering the huge and major transition they are going through they seem to be doing ok, and are even laughing....alot. We're going to hang out this weekend....we'll see how many get buckled in the ol' bonnie and make it back to Auburn. But, whoever comes i can guarentee same valentining, laughing, a college basketball game, and a previously promised 'spa day' for sure :).

cream of tarter

Three words that may not seem so important....but turned out to be incredibly important in one of my weekend endeavors. I made three batches of homemade play-doh for our lesson at tutuoring on Monday and Tuesday evening. We have been going through Genesis and this week we were talking about how God formed man out of dust...errr...play-doh. Regardless, they had a blast with the play-doh and created some fascinating 'men out of dust' or something like that.

Here's where the cream of tarter comes in. The recipe called for 6 tsp. of cream of tarter. I only had enough for about 2 batches. I thought surely this white powdery stuff (where does cream of tarter come from anyways??) woudln't make a huge different. Well difference it did make and the students with the yellow play-doh filed a few complaints with the play-doh making department. Though, despite their sticky hands and messy tables they seemed to have fun :). Lesson learned- never skip out on the cream of tarter.

Keith at tutoring thinking, "Miss Jessi you totally messed this up". You may remember this cutie from my first year of teaching- one of the smartest kids I know. Also, with a great memory as he reminded me how we made this in my class and didn't have enough flour that time resulting in sticky play-doh. I think I may give up my play-doh making days!

Another beauty from CMA. Edward- he's thinking, I don't care if this stuff is sticky I love it! I'm sure his dad was real happy with me to send that home with him. Forgive me Winston!!

Happy play-dohing :)

bubble gum and cameras

1. I went to the most beautiful of weddings last weekend in Minneapolis...well Red Wing. My beautiful cousin Becca married the marvelous Charlie ...finally! It was a fabulous event, despite the rain in MN in January (WEIRD) and so fun to be with all of my family as well. One bonus of her reception..right along the river..was this huge candy buffet she had. Tall glass jars filled with brightly colored candies and my grandma's homemade carmels (of which she individuall wrapped 300 of, wow). At the end of it all I went back to my aunt and uncles waiting to fly out the next morning. My aunt had a box of bubblegum leftover from those tall glass jars that she thought I could take back to school for the kids. Well, i have a little confession here. It didn't make to to the school before it was dominated. After mentoring last night one of the girls I was bringing home stopped at my house for awhile and while we watched the movie Management we managed to eat about 40 gumballs. Now, let me explain this process:
1. carefully choose color of gumball (red is the best)
2. kill your jaw and gnaw on it to get it real soft
3. eat it for about a minute and suck all the flavor and softness out of it
4. spit it out in the envelope from the junk mail on your chair
5. repeat process carefully choosing a new color for new exciting flavor.
Yep, that's what we did. For at least a good 45 minutes and 40 gumballs later...those gumballs for the kiddos- they're gone. But, boy was it hilarious and rather enjoyable as well :).

2. Somehow at my job I have become the camera person. People always ask me where the camera is, where a particular photo from December 6th, 2006 (which mind you, Detroit wasn't even a thought in my mind at that point!), and how to upload the 400 pictures from the Christmas events on to the computer. I dont' mind this job- infact it's quite easy and i can easily impress people. I just think it's funny...as I wouldn't consider myself the most technical of people...but i have been unofficially declared the camera person at CM. So, if you have a photograph or camera need...apparently you need to see me.

p.s. my jaw hurts so bad this morning!!!!

well, well

Well, it' been so long I almost forgot my blog's address. Let me explain the silence.

First, I was home in winter wonderland-family time-up the river-soup and chocolate-candlelight servce- BFFS - familiarty-iowa-beautiful land for two weeks for Christmas. What a sweet sweet time I did have.

Then, I got back Sunday night with big plans to be very productive and get all the things crossed off my list. Funny how we try to make plans like that right. Then, so unexpectedly life was turned upside down. I got a call at 9:00 on Monday evening that changed the course of the next two weeks. One of our moms, a mother of 9, that lived just three doors down from me had passed away. Suddenly that to do list and those grand intetions no longer mattered. Sandra Sanders, mother of Deonna, Demetrius, Dion, Courntey, Taylor, Terry, Ashley, Angel (the twins), and Krissie had suffered a grand asthma attack and passed away. It was tragic, it was breath taking and it began a two week process of questions, wonering, tears, laughter, and kids- lots of kids.

I headed out for Grand Rapids at midnight to get Courntey and got back at 4 and picked up Taylor. The 4 younger ones were safely tucked in at Dana's, and soon Court and Taylor were snuggled in my bed too. These were the housing arrangements for the next two weeks and I quickly understood why we live here and what it means to love the orphan. Sandra was sick, but yet this was still a shock and so confusing for her children. Yet, because of her illness and other issues it was so clear to us that the kids were each others support system and when the six of them were together they had a ball. There were good times and bad but overall incredible amounts of loving support around them.

Love looked like giving up my bed and opening up my home, loading the dishwasher one more time, waking up before I would normally wake up to get kids to school, tirelessly trying to be focused and trying to get my job done when my thoughts drifted to these precious children, the smell of the pressing comb on the stove yet one more time, the laughter of two beautiful girls that have let me be a part of their life, laughter through tears as we remembered San and her famous phrase, "you fail to realize...", the meals shared around Dana's dinner table provided by loving hands with incredibly strong children, and teamwork that brought on success.

So, as i sit her tonight and anticipate sleeping in my own bed after really 4 weeks, and the silence sets in I realiz that i am so blessed to live here and again be part of the lives of theses families I call my neighbors. Courtney is back in Grand Rapids and the younger five are safely living with their aunt and uncle in the suburbs and though a long road of transition is ahead the future is bright for these beautiful kids. We will miss them, but know this is what is best for them all and will continue to pray for this new family of 9 and the elder 4 children. Please join me in praying.

(also, thanks for all the love and support from my friends and family as well. i sometimes feel so out of my league in this life but can wake up each morning thanks for the love and support I receive from so many, y'all are the best!)