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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