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