A busy month...a catch up of my last month

The month of October was an extremely busy month and so I neglected to blog through my busyness. Even through the busyness it was a such a fun month. It's also been a month that God has taught me a lot. I have also been able to have a lot of fun with friends and do a ton of homework in between.

In the middle of October we had Study Reading days..aka Fall break. Missy, Katie, Elizabeth, Jessica and I took a road trip to Nashville,TN. It was so much fun. I love those girls and spending a four days in Nashville was GREAT!

At the beginning of the November Moody hosted a Lacrae concert. It was so much fun even though I'm not really into rap music. I now like it so much more. The different rappers that performed did a really great job of presenting the gospel during the show.

This past weekend I got to spend a very relaxing weekend in Crawfordsville,Indiana at Missy's grandparent's house. A group of us drove down there last Thursday and stayed until Saturday evening. We got to enjoy some beautiful weather, a fun hike at Turkey Run, Shopping with Nini and just hanging out at the house. We also enjoyed their HUGE tv... watching The Blues Brothers was great on the big screen. Laughing and poking fun at Missy and Steve was fun too! 

I think one of the best things about my friends here at Moody is that we can have fun together no matter where we are. Chicago, Nashville, Crawfordsville and anywhere in between we always have such a great time together. I've decided that my friends are pretty much the best! 

God has definitely blessed me with putting some great people in my life.

My God is so Big!

My God is so Big

So Strong and so Mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do.

Do you remember this song? 

I learned this song probably when I was like 4 years old and then sang it every year at Camp Hunt, either as a camper or as a helper.

When I was little I always thought this was so cool and loved being assured that God could do anything.  Lately, I had seemed to forget the simple words to this song. I forgot that there is nothing my God cannot do. My faith in certain areas has been lacking. I sometimes become independent and think that if I can't do it on my own I am just out of luck.

What happened to my child like faith? Honestly, I'm not sure.  But this week I have been in search for the same faith I had as a five year old, SCREAMING this song in the chapel at Camp Hunt. 

• My God can provide 
• My God can ease my worries 

There is nothing my God cannot do!

My God is so Big

So Strong and so Mighty

There's nothing my God cannot do.

MEET ANNABELL & Lanardo!!!

AKA: Ayanna & Landon!

Meet numbers 9 & 10 to join the Glaser gang! 

They have been at our house for over a year and a half in foster care. Over that time our family has fallen in love with them. God has answered our prayers!

Today a Judge signed the papers that terminated their birth parents' rights. This is the start of the adoption process. Now we just have to wait for an official adoption date and all the legal paper work and stuff. 

But very shortly they will become Glasers and join my favorite group of people ever. At age 21, I get  2 more little siblings!  This brings the numbers to 5 girls & 5 boys. 

The perfect 10!

wanna play some pool?

"Gabby, I really like playing pool with you"

This is what Quashaunda, told me on Sunday when I was taking her home after hanging out on Sunday. It's funny because those simple words meant so much to me. For so long I have wanted to be affirmed that having her as a little sis was actually enjoyable for her. She has never expressed to me that she enjoyed spending time with me. Usually, she plays the I am too cool for this card all the time, so I have always thought that she didn't enjoy it. 

It made me so HAPPY! It was so cute and I thought I might just cry hearing those words. 

I am really excited to get to know her even better this year. God is doing such a work in her life and I can't wait to see where He takes her. 

 

i LOVE my lydia kids!

For the 3rd year now I get to go to Lydia Children's home for my PCM. I was so excited to see all the kids who I've grown to love and to meet all of the new kids. I am really looking forward to see the work God is doing in the lives of these kids.I am also excited for our PCM team this year. I think Scott,Spencer, Carina, Elizabeth and I will work well together. We all have different gifts that compile nicely.




This is Kelly, she has been at Lydia the entire time that I have been there. She has grown so much in the last 2 years and I can't wait to watch her grow even more this next year.

-

Please remember in prayer:

• Mel- The Lydia staff member in charge of Thursday night church
• the other lydia staff members- many are unsaved
• the kids
• our work with the other churches that help out this year

O the Weekend, how I love you!

I love the weekends in Chicago. There is always so much to do and it always makes for a good time with good friends. 

Saturday a group of us went to Greek fest. We ate some really delicious gyros and enjoyed the festive atmosphere! (Sorry Debby the crazy lady taking the picture cut you out)

After Greek fest we walked from Greek town to Grant Park. It was an adventurous little walk. 

We climbed under the bridge over the river and watched as boats went under us. I have heard about these things since freshman year and have always wanted to do it.

 While at Grant Park, Alexis, Katie, Elizabeth and I decided that we wanted to be adventurous and so we each took turns jumping the fence and climbing into BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN. I had so much fun scheming with these girls about our plan of action and then laughing so hard after we each about died jumping back over the fence.

 Sunday our apartment actually got to feel like a real apartment. We invited a group of friends over for dinner and dessert. I made a baked pasta dish, garlic bread and chocolate cake for dessert. It was our first time having people over for dinner. It was nice having a fun chill place to hang out and eat dinner. We also had loads of fun watching lots of dumb youtube videos and reminiscing about our favorite bands during our middle school years. Yes, NSYNC and backstreet boys were at the top of the list.

Now its back to the grime of a week of classes. Next weekend is a 3 day weekend and I am super excited for even more adventures.

Senior year....hello, where did you come from?

I have been back to Moody for a week now and it still hasn't really hit me that this is my last year here. The first time someone asked me what year I was it sounded so weird to say senior. I'm really excited for this year but so nervous at the same time.
Last night was Vespers, which is where the whole student body gathers for dinner, worship, and a charge to start off the year. It is probably one of my favorite student gatherings.It is so nice because at this point everyone is still super excited for the school year. I realized as we gathered that this was the first of the lasts of my time at Moody. It made me sad and excited all at the same time. During the worship, I found myself reflecting on God's faithfulness in my life over the past 3 years. God has been so faithful in providing, protecting, healing, etc. in my life during my time at Moody and as I look back I see where I really took that for granted. As I think about this school year to come I have worried about so much. Will there be enough money for my school bill? Will the bed bug problem ever go away? Do I stay in jenkins or go back to houghton? Will I become disconnected not living on the floor with my closest friends?  etc....  All of these thoughts crossed my mind yet in the midst of worship at Vespers while singing "How Great is Our God" I realized that my worries were for nothing. God is so great and he takes those worries and burdens and carries them for us. He has been faithful thus far so I know he will be faithful still.
This year will be challenging as I struggle with these worries and uncertainties but even if I am unsure about anything else one thing is for sure....God is faithful through and through. 

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

A pic with some of my favorite people from Vespers. I am looking forward to a fun year with these girls!

 

Ab is at MOODY!!! I am so excited to explore the city and enjoy life here with her. This was her first Vespers and my last Vespers.

Why is saying goodbye so tough?

Tonight I stayed for one last dinner at the CWC because I knew that it would be my last chance to see some of the guests because tomorrow is my last day there. I never really thought over the course of the summer that I would ever be sad to leave the CWC or say good bye to all the great people there but I was really sad saying good bye. As I hugged some  of the young girls telling them bye, I could not help but cry. Thoughts of never seeing them again, not knowing what kind of ladies the they would grow up to be, wondering if this cycle of homelessness would ever be done for them crossed my mind as I stood there telling them how much they had taught me this summer.  Every child, women and staff member that I have come into contact with this summer has impacted my life and spiritual growth in some way, whether it was teaching me patience, showing me kindness or sharing with me what was on their heart. 
Its funny because at the beginning of summer I fought so hard against the idea of doing my internship at the CWC. My dad recommended it and I was so against it that I didn't even want to think of the possibility. I looked in to every other internship possibility there was. I thought for sure that I would never have a heart for homeless women, I thought that foster care/adoption/children homes were where my heart was completely at. Though I do think that I still have a heart and calling to work with children in the system and still want to pursue something in that field, I have realized that God has softened and opened my heart to homeless women.  God has really taught me a lot about grace and compassion this summer. I now see those women on the streets as women of value as they should be seen. No longer do I just want to turn my head and ignore their problems because I have learned that behind their dirty and tattered clothing is a heart that needs Jesus and His love shown to them through us.

These are pictures of Mary and Kayla. These are 2 twin girls who along with their brother and sister have won my heart over during the summer. At first I was intimidated by this family because of their behavioral issues but slowly we warmed up to each other. They always offer me a beautiful smile and warm hug every time I come into the CWC, no matter what kind of day I am having I can count on a hug from at least one of the twins. The other day when I told both of them that I was leaving to go back to Chicago soon, Kayla gave me a huge hug and then asked me if I could adopt her and take her to Chicago with me. My heart melted. Knowing what life was like in their family I so badly wished it was just that easy. I wished I could snap my fingers and life would be good for them. Yet I can't, and I get to go home to a house and then off to school with all kinds of amenities while they are still stuck living from shelter to shelter depending on their mom's mood.

Aren't they just Adorable?

PLEASE join me in praying for Mary and Kayla. Along with their sister Sierra and brother Billy. They really need some extra loving. Also pray for their mom Kathy as she leads this family on her own and is making tough choices about leaving the CWC to go to another shelter. I am going to miss them tons :(

One Big Happy CWC Family!

Today was the big day for my internship...the Center For Women and Children family style picnic. It was my "special" project for my internship to plan the event and put it on for the guests and staff. I had a lot of fun. It would take to long to describe everything that went on so I'll bullet point it and then add lots of pics!

• We had about 60 people come, including guests, staff and their families.
• LOTS OF FOOD! My dad was great and volunteered to do  all the cooking and it was great! 
• Swimming in Lake Monroe! Kids and adults alike loved getting cooled off in the lake. In 94 degree heat the water was definetly a blessing.
• BINGO! We played rounds of Bingo under the shelter and the ladies loved it!
• TIE DYE! Everyone got the opportunity to tie dye t-shirts. For many of them it was their first time getting to do that and they absolutely loved it!
• Cookie Decorating! we had lots of beach themed sugar cookies and everyone got to decorate them and then eat them!

I am sad that Friday is my last day at the center. The summer has flown by and a little piece of my heart will be left at the CWC when I head back to Chicago. I have grown to love and really care for the guests and staff. They are my Big happy CWC family!

Feeling like a failure....

.... but learning to trust God through those times!

 Last week I had  a really rough week serving at the CWC. Part of it was that I was just so busy getting stuff ready for the upcoming CWC family picnic that I just became overwhelmed. I was trying to serve the ladies the best I could and meet their needs but I felt as if I kept falling short of that. I felt as if I cold just never show enough love or enough grace to these ladies that need grace and love poured out on them. There were 2 separate incidents that really took me for a loop. I felt as if I had failed to provide the care that was needed for two guests and yet I didn't know how to fix the problems and wasn't really given tools either.  I also struggled because it seemed like this week that the staff really pushed that I was an intern that didn't know anything. There were a few ocassions where I was given tasks to complete and did so in the manner they were to be done. I would then later be told that it wasn't right and then others were told..."sorry, she is just an intern she doesn't really know anything about our program" Those words hurt because all summer I have been striving to learn from the staff and willing to listen yet at the end of the summer I am just referred to in that manner. Prayer was what I turned to. I realized that yeah I messed up there wasn't anything I could do. God was in control and I have to  learn to trust Him wholeheartedly. 

GABBY CAN'T DO IT ALL ON HER OWN!

Please pray for me as I have just over a week left at the CWC. Life is a little stressed right now as I try to wrap  things up and still put the final plans together for the CWC family picnic.

God is good, all the time!

All the time, God is good!

Livin' it up in the Motor CIty!

This past weekend I had a chance to go up to Detroit and visit Elizabeth. It was really good to see her and get to hang out with her for the weekend.I had a wonderful time seeing the ministry she works with. Lifebuilders is a really cool ministry and the people who are in charge are really great. I got to meet some of the kids that they minister to in the local area, help with the resale shop and then go to church with the whole group on Sunday.

Here is a pic of me with a bunch of the kids from the neighborhood. Right after I arrived on Friday, we went down this one block in the bus and just honked the horn and these kids  just came pouring out of 3 different houses ready to go not even knowing where we were going :)  They were such a joy to be around and so happy.

On Saturday we hun out in the resale shop in the morning then went to the mall in the afternoon and got pedicures and just spent girl time talking and catching up. Later that evening we caught up with Steve and went to dinner and then a Tiger's game. I'm not one to be super into baseball but it was fun.

On Sunday we went to church at an inner city church where the pastor had been connected with LIfebuilders. The service was different than I am used to but it was really good. I love seeing th different ways people worship God. The sermon was so convicting but so good. It was about sharing the Gospel with people we come in contact with everyday. I felt so encouraged after church.

I had a wonderful time in Detroit with Elizabeth. I was so encouraged and it was nice to get away and rest and relax.Life at home this summer has been good but lliving with my big family nothing is really relaxing or restful. It was a nice break.

JOin me in praying for:

• Elizabeth as she finishes up her last few days in Detroit.
• The teens @ lifebuilders that have made desicions to give their lives to Christ recently and need encouragement as they grow in their faith.

Give me Your eyes for just one second.

As I come to the last few weeks of my internship I have noticed that my attitude has some times has not been up to par. I find myself at times labeling, judging and sometimes simply hearing but not listening to the women I am serving at the CWC. I have felt really convicted about this and I so badly want to love these women with my whole heart not just as an action of helping them. The song Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath came on the Radio this week and brought me to tears. As I listened to the song I realized that my attitude should be that of which is reflected in the song. I want to see those who are hurting through eyes that aren't judgmental. I want to love on these people. The chorus of the song has really been my prayer this week:

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see




Prayer requests:

• Please pray for me as I have to submit the plans for my project tomorrow during the all staff meeting. I have been working hard planning and prepping for it and I would like for the staff to be as excited as I am.
• Please pray for the ladies in the Connect 2 Care program at the CWC. These are women with mental or physical disabilities and their floor has been having a hard time lately with lots of changes and stuff. I have really connected with a lot of the ladies on this floor and talking with them I see their confusion and uncertainty amongst the chaos.

Happy Birthday Jason!!!!

Happy 5th Birthday Jason!!! 

Here's Jason with his snare drum cake that I made him. It decided to melt during dinner so I didn't get a picture when it looked its best.

We enjoyed pizza & games at Incredible Pizza Company to celebrate!! 

I am so glad that God put Jason, Timmy and Craig into our home 3 1/2 years ago and then allowed the adoption to go through 2 years ago. Our family is definitely blessed by Jason. 3 years ago today we thought we were saying goodbye to them for good but God is good and brought them back to our family for good.  

Sun,Sand & Boogie Boards

Vacation last week with my family was wonderful! We all had a lot fun enjoying the beach and what Daytona Beach had to offer. Here are some pictures and highlights from the trip.

This is Will & I at the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway. We went with my dad and Craig and enjoyed a fun night of race festivities and watching the race.

Here's Jason, Ayanna, and Landon trying their hand at boogie boarding. They liked to think of them as surf boards.

One morning Meme and I went out at sunrise to look for shells and walk the beach. It was my absolute favorite part of the trip. It was so quiet and peaceful and we were able to just talk and relax. My baby sister is growing up so fast and times like this are too few. 

One day we ventured over to Disney World and spent the day in Downtown Disney (The free part of Disney). While there we rented a boat and took the kids on a boat ride through Disney. It was so much fun! I even got to drive for awhile.

 

One day we visited a Chocolate shop and took their factory tour. It was really fun and we got to taste their specialty..chocolate covered potato chips which were our faves! We even had fun playing out the scene from I LOVE LUCY. Don't we make great Lucy, Boss lady and Ethel!

On our way home from FL we stopped in Pigeon Forge,TN for a couple days. One of the days we went tubing and then to our favorite place in the Smokies...Cades Cove! It was a fun day and nice way to end our vacation.

Vacation was good but now its back to my internship. I only have a few weeks left and so I want to soak it all in and really learn a lot. God has been so good and has given me incredible women to learn under.

Wow! This is a long post! What can I say I really enjoyed Vaca and wanted to share the pics! Check out my FB for more pics soon!

ooohhh what a day!!!!

Today was a really hard day at the CWC. There was lots of fighting going on between the women and it lead to a lot of women being asked to leave. It was hard because I was doing case managing with Tonya and so I had to sit in on lots of move out notice meetings. Along with that came lots of screaming and arguing. I helped move out 6 ladies today.By the time is was time for me to go home, I was emotionally exhausted. I am still processing the day.

T-minus one week until I am in Florida!

A week from today I will be in Daytona Beach, Florida, looking at this beautiful scenery!!!

And this beach bum will be with me too!! As well as the rest of my family!!

I am really excited to get away and relax on the beach for a week! I look forward and count down to this every year!

Week 3!!

This week was really routine at the internship. Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary....well at least not for out of the ordinary there. But I did learn some valuable lessons this week that I thought I'd share

Lesson 1~ I often wear my emotions on my face and that is not always good.
     I was in charge of  childcare on Wednesday afternoon for an all staff training and I wasn't too happy about having to sit and for 2 hours and just watch kids take their naps and then get them all up ready to go and fed before their moms came by myself. After the kids woke up I was putting shoes on and cleaning up the cots and blankets when Tequan (age 3) came over to get his shoes on and said "Miss Gabby you don't look happy? What's wrong?" I had been trying to put on a happy face and act like I didn't mind being put down in childcare because of being understaffed but between 4screaming preschoolers, lost shoes and a sneaky 15 year I had lost the smile on my face. Taqan's words really hit me because I know that these kids really know what it means not to be happy for real reasons and not just personal preferences. Yet I had chosen to have a bad attitude because I was the one "stuck" in childcare and yet these kids and women at the CWC choose to have a good attitude despite being homeless and without many of the things that we take for granted. I needed that reminder to know that I should always be thankful no matter what because God has blessed me with so much.

Lesson 2~ If you give a CWC guest some need items she just might try to steal want items and then cuss you out! :)

Ok so I have dealt with a lot of people here in the inner city including kids, cussing me out over different things over the years even when you are trying to help. But this week this lady at the CWC just really struck me because I had helped her so much that day. I had helped her case manager get things together for her to get some new clothes, new glasses and  a  ride to doctor appointments, I had sat and listened to her story just hours before and heard her weep as she reflected on a life that was less than perfect.
I was sitting in the office filling out my paper work before I left for the day and she had came in trying to get in the Meds cabinet to get some pain meds but it was locked. SHe became angry and just stomped around the office. Well then she thought no one was looking...and they weren't cause I was the only one in there and I wasn't looking :) I looked up when I heard the door start to open again and she was trying to get out the door with a bunch of the newly donated items that were sitting in the office. I told her that she couldn't have them because they weren't hers. She became very upset and through the bag down and then proceeded to call me every name in the book. God really granted me patience to just stop and pray for her. SHe needs prayer and that is  the biggest and only  thing I can really offer her.

Things to pray about:
* I am working on my special project for my internship and am trying to get things ready for a surprise/secret event that I am planning for the entire CWC. I am in  need of craft supplies, meals, prizes and other event supplies. Please pray that these things will be donated so the event can take place successfully and with all the planned activities that go with it. (More to come on this special project when the secret can be told :0 )

*Pray for me as this next week I will be allowed to do some case managing /intakes on my own with the supervision of the case managers. I am a little nervous and I want to make sure I am really a help and not just waisting their and my time.

*Pray for my family as we get ready to go on vacation next week. We are leaving on Friday and this week is packed with things that need to get done.

Week 2 :)

Sorry this is so late. Yes I know that it is almost the end of week 3 but I wanted to make sure I did write about week 2. :)

This week was pretty average. There was lots of child care and case managing thrown in with a little bit of classes and meetings. All with the exception of Tuesday.
Tuesday was a long day but ended up being fun. I went to Chicago with one of the case managers at the Center to take one of the ladies to an appointment. The appointment was just waiting for 90 minutes and then the lady signing one piece of paper work. It was kind of crazy the whole thing but the good thing was that it got done. After paying $25  for the 1.5 hour parking, we  set out to get good Chicago food and maybe possibly do a little shopping. We ended up parking at Moody and walking over to Michigan ave to avoid anymore high parking costs! I took Tonya, the case manager, and the lady to Ghiradelli for a free piece of chocolate, Macy's at Water tower so Tonya could get her shopping fix in,Garrets popcorn and then Portillos for lunch. Have you ever tried to show someone who speaks Russian and very broken English around a big city. It is not easy.We lost her a couple of times in Macy's and had to call for her several times as we went to cross streets.
Overall is was a good trip. I felt like tour guide Barbie pointing things out. It was good to be in the city even though just for the day. The city is so alive in the summer, it was crazy.

Please Pray this week for the CWC guest that we took up to Chicago. There is a lot going on in her life right now and she so badly needs to see the love of Christ lived out in those around her.

Week 1 :)

So I finished my first week at CWC on Friday. Boy, was it an eventful week. I am really loving every minute there and the staff and women are great to work with. I did a little bit of everything this week. Childcare, reception, intake of new women coming in, case managing...I even helped make dinner one night. Chicken pot pie:)
On wednesday, I did childcare all by myself all day while the staff were were in training. It was crazy but a lot of fun. I learned how much patience Allison, the normal teacher, must have. For most of the day I had 8 kids and then at the end of the day I had 10. They ranged from age 3 to 15. Here are some pics of my fun filled day with the kids.
This is Lukyan! He is 4years old and has the sweetest smile. He has become my little buddy. He will see me from across the dining room and will yell "MS. GABBY,MS. GABBY!!!!!" until his Mom makes him be quiet.

This is Taquan! He is 3 years old. He is quiet but he is mischievous at times. He loves riding the tricycle in the gym.

This is Jayana! She is Ms. Boss Lady. She's 5 and in charge. She loves having the lilttle boys, Lukyan and Taquan do what ever she says....it doesn't work so well with the big kids.

This is a picture of most of the kids I had on Wednesday. We made lots of crafts to keep us busy because it was too hot to play outside. They are all wearing their visors that we decorated.

I love these kids! They can wear on your patience at times but they just need a little love! Please join me in praying for the kids who are staying at the Center. They each are such a blessing in my life already!

Sweet Summer time!

Since I haven't really updated this in a while besides the internship post I just posted, I thought I'd  post a little up date of what I did in between getting done with school and starting my internship.

* I went to a Cubs game with Elizabeth right before leaving Chicago(Thanks to parents for the tickets!)
*Came home for a night
* Went out to Missy's Grandparents house in Crawfordsville,IN to meet up with Missy and Katie. I stayed out there for a couple of days and had a lot of fun. Hanging out with them was just what I needed to chillax after a stressful week of finals. I got to know each of them so much better. I am so used to seeing them everyday, I miss them both. Missy is in China and Katie is in Iowa.
* I spent the next week and a half hanging out with my fam. We did a bunch of fun things like: planting the garden  and going to the zoo. We also went camping over Memorial Day weekend down in Cave City, KY. On Sunday dad, Beth, Will and I drove up and went to the race. It was fun but really hot. Almost too hott to bear. I loved being at the track, I had been afraid that I was going to go a whole May without ever going but someone ended up giving us tickets.
*We also had the girls' graduation. Its crazy that my 2 little sisters are all grown up and graduated.

And now I head into the rest of my summer with lots to do and more adventures to come.

The last few weeks have been pretty crazy. The end of the semester is always pretty crazy and brings lots of late nights and surprises.There were papers to write, finals to study for and then all the end of the year activities. I tend to let myself get pretty stressed out at this point of the semester and this semester was no different than the others. This semester did end up ending on a good note. Junior year at Moody was definitely a great year filled with lots of fun with a lot of good friends.
One thing that ended up causing a lot of stress was my internship. I found out during finals week that the internship that I thought I had in place in Tennessee was no longer a go.There ended up being some issues with that came up at their board meeting and they canceled all internships for the summer. That left me a little stuck and not sure what to do. God has been so good and has provided open doors since then. It looks like I'll be in Indy for the summer.
I gained an internship at the Wheeler Mission center for women and children (Comonly called the care center). I am really excited about this oppurtunity and working with the women and kids there and also the staff I will be working with. I started on Wednesday and was quickly put to work helping in a wide variety of things. I hope to keep this blog updated with all the new and exciting things I will be doing this summer at my internship.

You've Got A Friend In Me!

So last night was JSB. Which is Junior/Senior Banquet here at Moody! It was really fun and every one looked so nice all dressed up. After JSB we came back to find that Katie had broken her finger and needed to go to the ER to get it checked out. Missy, Elizabeth and I decided to go with her. We were gonna be her "support" team. We ended up being   there for over 3 hours waiting. It was an adventure for sure. Poor Katie was in lots of pain and She hates hospitals but she was such a good sport.
      As we were sitting there in the ER I realized something. Just like the 3 of us were there for Katie, I knew that these 3 girls would be there for me if I ever needed it. I realized how much my friendship with these girls means to me. To know that these girls would have my back whenever I needed it made me feel loved. To know that the 4 of us can make even a 3 hour trip to the ER sort of fun with laughing and playing cards was great. I know that I can count on these besties whenever. Who else would I ever want to have 3am adventures with!

You've Got a Friend in Me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

I left a little piece of my heart in Tennessee!

I have been meaning to blog about my trip to Tennessee for over a week now but I just never got around to it. So, here it goes!!
     Over my spring break, I was able to go and visit Smoky Mtn.Children Home where I am going to be interning this summer. It was such an amazing trip and I learned so much just about myself and the burden for these kids who don't have a home that God has layed on my heart. I am really excited to go and spend 10 weeks with some great kids who just need A LOT of love!
     After getting there and meeting with my supervisor for a while about specifics and such I was a little worried and not really sure what would be in store for the summer. I honestly was a little scared by some of the stories  that he was telling me about behavior and stuff. I wasn't really sure if this was the right internship for me. I wanted to just get back in my car and drive back to Indiana. After our meeting Mr. Spivey gave me a tour of the campus and of one of the cottages that some of the girls live in. During the tour I really started to warm up to the idea  of being there all summer. During the afternoon while the kids were still in school I had some down time in the room I was staying in for the night, so I prayed for a long time that God would show me that this is where I am supposed to be this summer.
     Later when the kids were all back from school and afternoon counseling sessions, I joined Cottage 1, an all girls cottage with 8 girls ages 12-17, for dinner. Immediately the girls had a bazillion questions for me. It was great getting to know them around the dinner table. It felt so much like a family and not too different from my own family seeing how we always  had different kids in our house for foster care. After dinner I just hung out and got to see what life is like in a cottage with 8 girls. Ms. Peggy, Ms. Ashley and Ms.Paige (house parents) did a great job showing me what goes on and how they manage the house of girls. Their love for the girls shined through so much and I am excited to join that.I even stuck around and chatted with them long after the girls had gone to bed and it was really nice to hear how it is being there first hand.
     One funny story from the night...... I was playing cards with one of girls and talking to a few of the other girls. Like any group of teenage girls there is always drama. ANd tonights drama centered around one of the girls reading the other girl's diary out loud in the living room. Well, this didn't go over so well and next thing I know, an electronic password diary is being thrown straight towards my head and I am ducking for cover. Luckily the girl it was being thrown at did not get hit either. Later the staff told me that this was a mild night and that one chair a night is usually thrown. This should be an interesting summer!
      Later on when I made it back to my room, I just sat thinking and realized that God had made it so evident that night that I was supposed to spend my summer in Tennessee! I feel in love with the girls and the staff and all SMCH as a whole. I am so excited to live there for 10 weeks and really invest in the kids. As I sit here in Chicago writing this I am a little saddened because I miss the girls. I left a little piece of my heart in Sevierville, TN and 8 weeks seems like too long to wait to go back. For now I must focus on the 5 weeks left of school and finals that follow. It will be hard, but Tennessee will come soon enough!

Please pray as I continue to prepare for the summer and that I would finish this semester strong.

Ahh... heading to TN tomorrow and nervous!

So.. Tomorrow I am heading down to Seveirville,TN to Check out Smoky Mountain Children's Home for my internship. I am going to fill out paperwork and do background checks and such. I am also hoping to be able too scoop out what all in fact they do there. I am really nervous because I have no idea what I am getting into. I am not really even sure what this week will entail. I am so excited to finally meet the people there and see what the ministry is all about. I am excited though to spend the week down in the mountains and to get some time just away from everything.

Learning in 1 John

~The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.~ 1 John 2:3-6


I have really been meditating on these words lately. I look at my life a lot of times and realize how much my life is like these words. It is my desire to be obedient and walk as Jesus did but I don't always live that out. The other day when I read verse 6 I felt so utterly convicted. In my daily devos it has really been on my heart. I want to walk like Jesus did, I want to love like he loves. I have realized that I can't do that on my own I need his grace, his sweet sweet grace. Between learning about the history of redemption in my Genesis class and then about redemption and grace in my Sys Theo class I feel as I am understanding it more completely and the need for it in my life. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.




The Rest is Up To You'
~relient k
Why don't you try to slow down?
Slow things down.
Slow things down.

'Cause I know you're hurting.
So put down your burdens.
Crucify your doubts and just reach out

Reach out to Jesus.
Embrace him.
Turn your life around to face him.

You'll find mercy,
you'll see
grace, love, and beauty
defined in his
face.

Learning daily

The last month has been a hard month for me. But it has been a month growing and learning so much. I think for the first time in a long time I felt like I had lost control and was so worn out from trying to "figure" everything out on my God. Finally after one sleepless night I realized how self dependent and sufficient I tried to become and it just wasn't working. God really showed me that He is there with arms wide open to carry my burdens and I didn't need to be lugging them around all alone.
     One of the things that has been on my heart lately is my family. Right before New Years my cousin, Jonathon, was attacked in a serious stabbing that left him with many wounds and the loss of one of his eyes. His girlfriend was unfortunately killed in the incident. It was a really scary time for my family to have JT be in such serious condition. So many times I would look into my Grandma's eyes and be reminded of the pain that she still has in her heart from my Uncle David's death and she was reminded of that too. My grandma is such a strong woman who I love so much and to see her hurting made my heart hurt even more. This whole oreal has made me offer this all up to God. God was merciful and spared Jonathon's life and for that I am so thankful. I have wrestle with questioning why this happened. God has given me a peace about it and I know that he show justice and that He is a loving God with a purpose for everything. A lot of my extended family are not Christians and I have really been praying that God would use this time to open their hearts to the Gospel.
     Another thing that has been causing a bit of stress in my life is trying to plan for my internship. I explored a few different options but nothing seemed to be working out. I finally took my dad's advice and looked into the Smoky Mountain Children's Home. I emailed them not really thinking much would come from it and then the supervisor called for a phone interview. I missed the call which lead to a week of me calling everyday to talk to someone and no one being available in the office. I became very discouraged and frustrated. I thought that I had finally figured the internship thing out but then there was nothing. This week I decided to call just one last time and then I was gonna just leave it alone. This time I got through and was able to talk with someone. We had a great little talk. It really sounds as if it is going to work out to go there. I now have a phone interview with their HR person on Tuesday or Wednesday to talk about specifics and get all the information for background checks and such.
     I am soooooooo excited for this opportunity. This ministry is doing exactly the kinds of things I want to do post-graduation. God is so perfect in his timing and so faithful to provide. I am really praying now for my internship this summer, specifically that I would be of great help to SMCH. This will be my first summer away from home and really on my own. I will be living in Sevierville,Tennessee. It will be a whole new experience for me and I know I will be stretched in so many ways.