Grandpa Herb

My Grandmother recently had knee replacement surgery here in Sioux Falls. She was doing great and recovering normally. But, then had a little bummer, as she called it. My aunt rephrased it as a big bummer. After lunch one day she got very sick, ended up in the ER and soon the ICU ultimately with ulcers. However, it took a good day and a half, sleepless night, and scary moments to get to that prognosis.

In the meantime my Grandpa, her husband, was five hours away in Eureka, South Dakota. He can't see well at all and shouldn't drive though he somehow deems it acceptable in Eureka. Yesterday he told me he drives better than other Eurekans who drive like a bat out of you know where, ha. Anyways he got a ride to Sioux Falls and joined us in the cold, stark ICU waiting room as we waited for some answers, some comfort.

That's Grandpa Herb, he was a nervous wreck, hadn't slept and was so concerned about this dear woman that he loved. He sat across from me in the hard chair and began to tell me stories of their 60 (!!!) years of marriage. He told me of how they met when he got back from he war when he was 22 and his brother told him that's who he would marry. And, back then he says you listened to your brother. They married at 25 and were both teachers and began a family together. He had a sparkle in his eye as he shared these stories and my heart was so bittersweet as I was so priveleged to hear these stories but yet see the worry in his face for his beloved wife. He repeatedly said I just hope we can figure this problem out.

His lovely wife has recovered and glimpses of my old grandma are seen more and more! With that comes old grandpa too but we are so grateful to have these two close to us- even more so as they (or i should say their children) have decided to live here for the next 6 months.

I'm reminded yet again of the blessing of moving back to Sioux Falls and hope to hear more stories of the last 85 years of their lives and continue to see the love of 60 years of marriage. These are the people we should learn from in life. They are quite incredible!

a few of my favorite things...

in no particular order...enjoy

1. living in sioux falls and being able to visit my grandma in rehab as she recovers after knee surgery. it is such a blessing for me to be close for stuff like this.

2. celebrating this boys birthday. these kids are already so dear to me. my sweetheart on the right there really got into the happy birthday song apparently- watch out.

3. iced coffee

4. interpretors when "como te llamas" y "como estas" just isn't enough to get by

5. my home, which truly is becoming my home and a home for those i care so deeply about.

6. my church family that encourages me so much in what I do. I am blessed to serve and work in this way among the people that have seen my grow up and support me by volunteering here each week, painting a really huge old stucco house, fellowshipping at a community picnic, enjoying an afternoon chat. these people are seriously incredible.

7. my two jobs have become more entangled than i could have imagined. my families crossover into my english classes and tutoring after school, many are my neighbors, and all have been so incredibly enjoyable to work with. this is truly a dream this life i'm living.

8. don mencke, cause i know he faithfully read this :) and nanc too...some of my biggest fans. love y'all.

9. again, the birthday boy

2.

powerhouse

We've been moving right along for two weeks already at the Powerhouse after school program. I'm learning quickly what it's like to work two jobs directly with people often with high needs. My heart is so full each day and I often just wish I could do it all for each person I come into contact with. Consequently I collapse into bed each night grateful for the opportunity to do this life, and to sleep fast for what the next day will bring.

My after school kids are incredible. I didn't know pleasant and middle schooler could go in the same sentence- but I have the best of the best for sure. It helps that we hung out all summer long and they are such good friends. Like one big messed up family around here!

They come each day after school- usually racing. I told them to keep racing...makes me feel good, ha. We eat snacks, play games (i still have not won at battleship), do homework, work on achieve3000, laugh, cook, and they truly make me be a better person

I know i'm in exactly the right place, especially being in this house. It's like my dream come true to welcome students into my home to provide just a little extra consistency and love each day of their lives. I am blessed beyond measure in the timing of this and now see so clearly how much I was being prepared to be right here.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you" John 14:27. Resting in His undeniable peace in these moments!

Some of my beauties...(huge props to Megs on the table, we love it!!!)

Damious, with the aviators...whatever it takes to get the job done!

Words Travel

For my job with the volunteers of America I have been trained in a program called words travel. My boss asked me if I'd be interested in this program as she thinks there is little these days that would scare me. That's pretty close to accurate, but this particular day gave me a little run for my money.

Words Travel is a parternship with VOA and scholastic books that takes a reading curriculum into jails around the country. So, I have been trained in words travel and had my first experience ever in a jail! This program is designed to teach moms and dads about six different genre's of literature and then read the book and tape it for their children. We spend about an hour a week for 8 weeks going through stories and recording the books.

So, there I found myself ripping and running through my day and pulling up the jail that I'd driven past a hundred times. Never did I think I'd find myself standing between the locked doors awaiting a group of 6 women. Thankfully, I attended the first session with a seasoned veteran - one who knew all the tricks about the doors, where to go, and which rooms and chairs worked the best. Boy, I have a lot to learn.

Before I knew it I was in and just standing there amidst crowds of black and white stripes and women collecting the 'best chairs'. The guard escorted us down the hall and we were locked in a little room, known as the 'multi-purpose room'....i call it major claustorphobia!

I sat there taking in my surroundings, trying to keep my nervous legs from shaking and listening intently to the lesson and the story, which happend to be "Amazing Grace" today (great story!). I watched men walk by the window with handcuffs and wink at the ladies, big yawns from one momma next to me, but more than anything just six women wanting to love on their children.

I was struck by the normalcy of this situation and realized that these are just regular people who had made bad decisions and deserve a second chance just like the rest of us. Suddenly why they were there didn't matter and the black and white stripes quickly faded as they talked so lovingly about their toddlers and school children who they desperately loved.

I left with a heaviness in my heart as they went back to the rec rooms with the ladies who have become their friends. These women are no different than you and me as I mess up a hundred times a day. But, I have hope in a God that forgives and saves with unending grace and I hope that these women will know that God too. It's my prayer that between rhyming and storytelling that glimpses of Christ's love and forgiveness would shine through to the women I meet.

some things I know

-Everybody should spend an hour of their life with these kids. They will give you great perspective and great joy. You will also learn how to say the same thing five different ways to ensure understanding as English is limited. These are part of my kiddos for the next three weeks!

-Every mother of a pre-teen that does not allow her to wear a bikini deserves a pat on the back and then some. For the love mothers, that is too much. I spend a lot of time at public pools, and the best part is it's for my job and I'm getting paid to work on my tan!

-Everyone should spend some time with these kids as they will learn the true meaning of patience. Each Wednesday I hang with this bunch from Wesley Methodist's summer program. There are about 30 middle schoolers, some of who will come to the after school program I'm starting in the Fall

-I realized I live in the right neighborhood when I saw kids I know from various neighborhoods at the local pool and park next door to my house. So many similarities to my last job...the kool-aid jug will be filled up soon (i'm so close to moving into my house!)

-Eric....will give you great joy!

-I think of Detroit often and especially miss Randazzo's, ghetto beauty supply, and the front porch of my house full of kids (though, I don't own that house anymore!!!!)

-I am surrounded by incredible family and friends here and am so grateful for my community.

volunteers of america

I wonder if my few readers have given up on me...but nonetheless I shall give you an update!

I've started to settle in to life Sioux Falls. I think it's finally hitting me I'm not just here on vacation but that I live here. However, the suitcases that are currently my closets aren't helping the case. I'm living at my sister's for now but hope to be in my house in the next few weeks. I just keep reminding myself I'm glad to be here. I have some of the most incredible friends that have helped me remember what it's like to be 25 again!

I started working with the Volunteers of America. We are not volunteers, so the name seems to be a bit misleading. But, it is such a perfect fit for me. They call themselves a church and remind me so much of the place I left and loved for three years. I'm working at the Bowden Youth Center in the kids summer camps for June and July. This means my days are filled with Uno, tetherball, walks downtown and trips to the swimming pool. Doesn't get much better than that right! The kids are precious and remind me daily how grateful I am for the experience I had in Detroit. Can't pull too many fast ones on me! They are every color of the rainbow and voice of the sea (Avalon...right Donny? :) which is new for me and fun to experience. I learned Karundi swear words on about day two- which is right about on par when working with kids. But, they are beautiful, and precious and loved by the Creator and I hope to love on them and teach them as they are so deserving.

Starting in July a new and unexpected grant will allow the Bowden to expand so I will be running this camp in a few weeks. It is specifically for refugee children from the Family Immersion Center school in Sioux Falls. I'm excited for this new challenge, and excited to meet more families in Sioux Falls. We'll be studying Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs based solely on the rich themes and vocabulary (...not for my fascination with this darling children's movie...)

Wednesday starts Under God's Canopy with the other part of my life here....look for that update soon!! (And, I promise some pictures...getting a little boring I know!)

Love

been a minute...

well a million things have happened. the smile has not left my face...even as i tiredly (is that a word??) fall into a new bed each night. let me give you a little recap

Detroit: i said goodybe to my friends and family in detroit. through a few tears i had a fabulous last week with my loves and did everything one last time. but, rather than dwelling on 'this might be the last time we....' i remembered the incredibly beautiful memories i made in the D and continued to smile. Dana and I loaded up the Bonnie Saturday morning, made an emergency u-turn back to elias donuts and then headed for milwaukee

Road Trip: Dane and I had a fabulous time in the car. We stopped at the chocolate garden, got wined and dined by her son who's a server in downtown chicago, devoured some Garrett's popcorn, and made a pit stop where we were so well taken care of at my cousin's- Becca and Charlie's- in Milwaukee. We had a SUCH A BALL! Then Sunday came and we got to share breakfast with my old CHicago friends...bruce and lyssie...and then we drove...and drove, and drove, and drove. Minnesota is one big state. Sunday got a little long but we were so grateful to have no problems and an easy drive

Sioux Falls: We got her Sunday night arrive home to my excited family. I showed Dana all the sights and we spoiled ourselves with pedicures and haircuts too. It was so fun to have her here with my family and to see all the things she's heard about over the last three years. I took her to the Omaha airport Wednesday evening and miss her already...but we just said so long, instead of goodbye :)

Life: So, now I live in Sioux Falls and I often find myself grinning as I drive down Cliff Avenue one more time (kelli and i live at opposite ends of Cliff....it's perfect). My house isn't done, my parents house isn't done, and kelli's house doesn't house us all....SO, i'm suriving off the kindness of dear friends and always have a hot meal and pillow for my head. I'm so blessed.

VOA: I got a job with the volunteers of america to supplement the after school program I'll be starting. I will be teaching English to hispanic families with young kids and kind of acting as a community liason. i am SO excited and could not have worked this out better. I have all other kind of job news I could share but will save that for multiple other posts.

THank-you for your thoughts and prayers as I made this transition. I miss my Detroit family, but am loving being with my Sioux Falls family too. I will update again soon ...so much going through my head!!!

LOVE :)