Ticking time bomb work bag

Let's just put this out there, it's been a long long time again. I have some fabulous pictures of things that have gone on that I hope to post soon. I have been having F-U-N!! I read a quote recently that went something like this, "Those living a full life are too busy to write about it" ...I blame that one this time!

But this morning, I bring you the first edition of "what's in the work bag". I thought of this this morning as I got in my car and my bag sounded as if it were going to explode and here's why...

-Catchphrase. You kno the electronic one that beeps really fast and then buzzes cause you lose. Well, I put it in my bag this morning and hope to give it a run with my adult English students. We played Scategories (my ALL TIME FAVORITE) last week and they loved it. This may prove a little more difficult, but what great vocabulary practice right?!

-A dead fish. Yep, you read that. We've recently started a new adventure of a giant fish tank at my house one of the girls gave us. It used to be nice and peaceful sounding like a waterfall, now I have to unplug it sometimes in the evenings- especially during the bachelor. We started with three fish- lost two. Then added 4 more plus one snail (which I love), and lost 1. Well, after calling the fish store as it was D.O.A. they said bring in the body we'll give you a new one. I had already flushed it- I'm such a rookie at this game. So, they made an exception for the rookie and new fish #4 fell to the fate of the filter and was discovered sucked to it at tutoring yesterday. After shrieks and lots of disgustingness we fished (ha) it out, well as much of the body that didn't fall apart and put it in a bag and into the work bag it went this morning so the rookie gains a few points with the pet store and receives a new fish. Let's hope 3rd times a charm and this one stays alive.

-400 Farm Bureau Financial business cards. One of my dear friends is a relentless salesman (jk :) and wanted to be sure to offer my students and families I work with proper coverage if needed. This may have caused some competition to another dear friend that works there as we refer to each other as 'first friends' and therefore he thinks he has dibs on my people. However, his 400 business cards have not found there way into my work bag...hmmmm

-An apple and two oranges. This is a neccesity as if I come unprepared I will fall prey to a large bag of pretzel M&M's or sugar cookies from the cookie jar. I blame this all on Emily. Therefore, fruit in the work bag at all times. (however, sometimes fruit and the cookie jar occur simultaneously, but ya only live once!!)

-Froot loops, green construction paper, scissors and glue. To make a shamrock of course. It's St. Patricks' Day season and if you know me I love all things holiday so I pass that on to the little people in my life. Rainbows and shamrocks, just puts a smile on your face

-Files, binders, papers all the normal things that keep me on my toes and satisfy the Type A side of me that loves to make lists, organize, email and be partly administrative.

And there you have it...just a day in the life of what leaves with me in the morning for a day of adventures around Sioux Falls.

xoxoxo

Some things I love...

-These animals. Seriously, they make my heart so full. In the midst of homework arguments and discipline they really crave love and attention which comes through structure and consistency...and oatmeal raisin cookies and hot cocoa and marshmallow too :) (this was at our hotel pool Christmas party, we had a ball!!!)

-Grocery shopping. Especially Sunday afternoons when it's busy. Believe it. If someone would hire me to do their grocery shopping I'd do it full time, or heck just send me with a list. I love watching people and checking out the aisles for new found treasures. It's the little things right?

-Creating and Friday afternoons at my house. See the massive pile of stickers behind my sweet girl Cindy there. What girl has that many stickers?! I LOVE to create things, and to provide that opportunity to the kids and others in my life. A common heard mantra of mine...'Oh, we can just make that!!' Friday afternoons are like none other around here....field trips, baking, movies, and of course...creating.

-Teaching piano lessons. My students are the sweetest and it makes me proud to see them progress and learn- and seem to love it (though, i know the real trials of practicing too!)

- This song: www.youtube.com/watch?=sn2a73B0uB0 (Come Awake, by IgniterMedia)

- Diamyn's ice cream birthday cake made by the fabulous Karen Reade. This cake is fabulous all on its own but it also signifies the incredible amount of people that invest in these kids and support this program and all that goes on here. From snow shoveling, cookie baking, putting the foosball table together, practicing multiplication- we are well loved.

The Bedazzler

Every Wednesday at the Powerhouse is craft day with Rhonda (which is a very important detail!! WE LOVE RHONDA!!!). The kids know it and expect it and are usually quite enjoyable for the two hours we craft together.

A few weeks ago Nathan asked if I had the bedazzler. Apparently this is a real thing- one of those as seen on tv things. I told him there was no need for a bedazzler and that I indeed was the bedazzler. So, I set to work and used the most trusty craft tool yet, the hot glue gun, and bedazzled his white gloves with gold and silver sequins. Following the bedazzling Bafo and Nathan practiced Micheal Jackson moves in the kitchen. Just another day at the house..

Fast forward a week and Nathan had asked me everyday since then to continue with bedazzling and do the other side. Though I am the bedazzler I refused to do the otherside partly because my fingerprints had been burned off. So, he declared he would do it. He got out the glue gun and breathed down my neck until I would sit next to him and give him the adult supervision he was requesting (exact words my friends, this kid is a trip!!). So, he set to work bedazzling the other side of the gloves. Not too long and some of the best things ever came out of his mouth...

"Jessi (because he says my name 50 bazillion times a day), I am BEAST at the glue gun"

"Jessi, you have been replaced and now I AM THE BEDAZZLER"

I count this year a complete success as Nathan has achieved a love for the glue gun and accomlished the pretentious title of the Bedazzler.

Thank-you craft day Wednesdays and Nathan for being THE bedazzler, just love that kid!

vaca

It's been a long time yet again...and my faithful followers are remaining faithful but pretty soon might give up on me! It's been a whirlwind of a month and had plenty of ups and downs. The holidays always invite craziness and add the 20+ families I work with and this season that proved itself to be true yet again.

About a year ago two beautiful young ladies had made their home in my house and my bed and i was ripped way out of my comfort zone as I walked the road of grieving the loss of their mother with them. It was tragic and heart-breaking but one of the most real times in my life where I tried desperately to be Jesus and love these girls even when I didn't feel like I knew how. I remember the day of the funeral returning home from the office to help iron their clothes and get them ready and my house was filled with the laughter and the aroma of the flat iron- these children absolutely amazed me. Those moments of laughter when all the siblings were together squished in my little house began the process of healing togheter and made them stronger as a family. It was a hard start to the year but proof yet again of God's faithfulness and that He goes before all things and works all things together.

I made the decision final in the next few months of the beginning of 2010 to move back home. Never did I think I would move back home but my heart yearned to be here and I knew it was time. It was hard to tell those that were so dear to me, but I knew in my heart of hearts it was right, and that has continually proven to be true.

My three years in Detroit taught me invaluable lessons, but most of all taught me how to love beyond what was within me but with what Christ has given me. So, I loaded up the (not so trusty lately, grr) Bonnie and my dearest friend Dana and we journeyed back home.

Home has been everything and more than I thought it could be. I have laughed more and slept less than I could have ever asked for, and been provided for in ways that I coudln't have imagined. My family and community here welcomed me back with open arms and I am so blessed.

However, it's funny how God carves your path as this year ended similar to how it started with tragedy and heart ache, but this time it was not new to me. A family I work with had a house fire three days before Christmas and lost everything. This mother and I are very close due to various other tragedies and yet she stands strong and fights hard for her children- a precious 3 and 7 year old. So, the apartment hunt began, donations came rolling in, and an effort to make Christmas happen for this family was immediately in the works. We fought hard for three days I felt major defeat but saw truly miraculous works of God and hours before Christmas eve they were in a beautiful apt with Christmas tree in tow. Most mornings I felt helpless, not sure where to turn to except the arms of Christ and though I have to admit I almost gave up hope- He proved yet again to go before all things. The week before Christmas and ones following have been hard, and led me to uncharted territory. But as proven in my last three years of ministry He doesn't leave your side. The love and grace of Christ gave me power yet again to love like Jesus and be His hands and feet. I am so honored and blessed to walk with this family who has truly become like my own.

Today we took the 7 year old to a new school due to the move and a little part of my heart cried with him when we waved goodbye. He is so precious to me. Then we went to change some addresses as well and worked with a woman named Becca. My friend thought her name was vaca...which means cow in Spanish...so there we sat in the social services waiting room laughing til we cried that some crazy American was named cow. Benilda sat there and mooed and I had tears of laughter in my eyes. Don't worry, I cleared things up and assured her we aren't all that crazy, at least not crazy enough to name our children after cows. This was exactly where I wanted to be, and know I needed to be sharing life with this precious friend of mine. It hasn't been easy and there has been ups and downs, but I have been absolutely blessed with a burden to get calls at 2am and drive around for days looking at apartments, and deliver blankets and pillows on Christmas eve morning as I love the people the good Lord has entrusted me with.

Absolutely, positively so blessed to call this my life.

six pack and a pound

This is Nathan and Joe Joe. They are brothers that come to my house everyday after school and have quickly stolen my heart. Nathan is in eighth grade and calls me to tell me if he's going to be late, tells me about his girlfriend daily, texted me to say thank-you out of the blue, is obsessed with spiderman (mexican spiderman to be exact), loves tacos, dilligently completes his homework everyday, and shows a very fatherly love to his younger brother daily.

Joe Joe is in 6th grade and some that know him think he takes extra patience but I really get him. Joe Joe needs lots of words of encouragement everday and 1-1 help, loves star wars and wants a luke skywalker tunic, is very sweet-spirited, has the best one-liners, and definitely has a special place in my heart.

These boy earned a trip to Taco John's through a competition at the Powerhouse. They saved there pennies to upgrade to order the coveted six pack and a pound. So, the week of thanksgiving when we had a day off we headed over to the ol' taco joint for dinner. Precious moments with these kids are spent outside of the two hours in my home...though, that time is precious too. But, it's in the conversation prompted by a pound of potato oles that I get to hear their dreams and hurts and I'm reminded once again why I do this gig every single day. They aren't angels but amidst the 6 tacos I was given incredible amounts of patience and love for these boys that extends into the after school hours at my house.

Then they ate the entire six pack and the entire pound- both of them, and i wanted to puke. Growing boys I guess, but seriously. yuck

Gerson

I have had lots of opportunities to brush up on my Spanish in the last four months. Though, the smaller the better when it comes to students to practice with :). This is Gerson (Harrison) ...we got to play together one morning. He taught me so much! Doesn't he just melt your heart!!!

We were playing cash register. He said, "Miss Jessi, yo tengo money" (I have money) a little mixed language if you will :)

This life of teaching classes, visiting homes, hanging with the kids after school is becoming very normal to me and I'm figuring out more and more of a routine. I'm grateful for how beautifuly and naturally it has all come together and even more grateful for all the beautiful people that I get to share life with. Not too many people get an opportunity like this and I'm humbled by how so many welcome me into their homes with open arms. I am so lucky!!

Veteran's Day

I am grateful for the Veteran's, including my grandpa who are serving and have served our country. What a sacrifice. We celebrated my grandpa and many other veterans at applebees with free ribs and beer for him. Nothing like a hearty thank-you!

Though, I was grateful for Veteran's Day at my VOA job as well as I spent the day visiting my familes homes and got to spend time with the children who are typically in school. They are all about the sweetest things you ever met and so incredibly talented and intelligent. They are so far ahead so many as they speak bilingually and are figuring out life in this country and help teach their parents along the way too. Such incredibly strong children and momma's (and daddy's).

I had the pleasure of doing some turkey fun with the kiddos and seeing the beauty of kids learning right along side their mothers and encouraging them and celebrating the victories of irregular past tense verbs as if they had just won a soccer game. It was quite humbling to see a kindergartner and 2nd grader reviewing vocabulary with their mom. These mom's are so tough and hard working and striving so hard to give their children the best life possible. Even if that means working all night and still attending class the next morning. I'm blown away by these women daily and the hurdles they are overcoming as they adjust to life in America.

Made these turkey cookies first, even with the first 4 kiddos at 9am, i'm sure that mom was lovin me :)

Jose and Antony reading together..watch out ladies, these guys are going to be heartbreakers. They are so darn precious!! (not to mention super polite too!)

This is Elba. The four of us we're practicing vocabulary around the room. We learned clown, baseball bat, submarine, kite, and football. The boys cheered when she repeated all of them. She is one of the sweetest spirited ladies and has raised some fine young men. When I met her we stuck to hi and how are you. Now we talk about her children and their progress at school, her job, and where she likes to shop. She absolutely blows me away!!

I am so blessed and honored to visit the homes of these incredible families each week and to be a part of their lives!