It is amazing how quickly time flies! Wait, isn't that what old people say? I am scaring myself! AAHHH!! I seriously cannot believe that it is February 2008! As a child, I was certain that I would never see HS Graduation, because Jesus would come back before then. (I graduated 2002) Well, here I am. :)
I have been home for almost a week now. Our 'new' home. It is crazy the changes our family has had over the last couple of weeks, wait, no, over the last couple of years. Our current residence is back in town and is a smaller house that helps with the bills. Everyone is very close. Literally.
Although, I was surprised to find that there are a few hiding spots in this little house. Earlier this evening I snuck into my siblings bedroom to escape for a few moments and was tickled to hear my younger brother asking repeatedly where I was. I decided to play along and kept very still. He came and left the room several times, once to put on his coat and shoes, without ever seeing me. He was looking outside, checking the front porch, laundry baskets, etc, etc, I laughed so hard when he finally found me, tight up against the wall on the top bunk hiding beneath his stuffed animals.
Well, back to the closeness. I am incredibly thankful for a close family. The reason we are close to one another probably has a lot to do with the literal closeness we have always had living in small homes. It makes it all the harder when change comes and pulls us apart. First the military pulled Ben miles away. Now, Rhoda is changing her name, which changes some of the family connections but by adding rather than taking away. My parents are glad that the almost-new couple will be living nearby.
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While home for 'break' I am relaxing AND working! It is nice to have a job anytime I am home. It helps so much! I am surprised to have typed this much.... I have a bandaid on three of my fingertips. Today I was sanding smaller seat slats and, of course, gloves TOTALLY get in the way ;) So when one of them flipped out of my hand and went flying, (this happens occasionally) my hand responded to gravity and bumped the sander. Only a tiny bit of blood, a few bandaids, and I continued working until time to leave.
Anyhow, there is a little excitement for today. Until next time.... :)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
life is constantly changing...
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Congratulations!
I met up with them after he popped the question and took these pictures. LadyAnne did such a wonderful job of putting them together in this collage! Oh my goodness, it is so exciting! This is the first wedding for our family and it is going to be so much fun planning. I am happy for ya, Rhoda! I love you both!
Friday, February 15, 2008
MENC experiences
consider yourself warned.... I feel another long one coming on! :) I thought you all needed something (someone, rather) to laugh at!
Last week Music Educators National Convention was taking place downtown. I paid last semester to become a member and needed to pay a registration fee this semester, but was scraping the bottom of the bucket. Up until just a few days before, I was still uncertain if I would get to go. I am thankful that God worked it out; He provided a few sewing projects and some babysitting opportunities so that I had just enough money to go.
It was an enjoyable time of learning new things. I went to several sessions that were very helpful and I also experienced a variety concerts. There was a steel drum band that played a couple songs for one lecture; it was so cool! I had never seen any but in pictures, so it was awesome to watch and listen to them. The group of home-school kids really seemed to enjoy themselves as they played!
I also had my first experience of live jazz music. I have never listened to that style much and enjoyed the little taste of Brazilian Jazz that they performed. A few of the other things I attended include an a Capella ensemble, All-Star brass band, Cincinnati children's preparatory choir and H.S. percussion ensemble.
Among all the happy experiences at MENC, I also had some excitement. I was supposed to ride with a different group back to school, because my ride there had to leave early. Well, that would have been fine and dandy IF my phone battery had not died. I wandered around hoping to bump into someone I knew, unsure of when they were leaving or where they were meeting. Out of the hundreds of people there and the three separate buildings everyone was scattered between, I was not successful and felt it necessary to make a phone call to try to connect with someone. I did not want to spend the night in the hallways of the Convention Center and did not have the money to stay in the Millennium OR the Hyatt Hotel.
I found a pay phone, then realized I had no change and no calling card. I did have my debit card (which at the time I had $1.05 in my account because I had not deposited the rest of my babysitting money) and among the many numbers and advertisements on the face of the phone there was one stating you could purchase 3 minutes of long-distance calling for $1 with credit/debit card. So I breathed a sigh of relief and punched in the numbers to call LadyAnne.
Since the day of cell phones and speed dial it is not often that I have occasion to memorize phone numbers. But thankfully because of texting so often, I had hers in my head.
We spoke quickly for about a minute and a half, and I got off the phone relieved because she was going to contact 'my group' to tell them where to meet me and remind them not to leave me.
Well, unfortunately that is not the end of the story. When I got back to the dorm that night, I got online to check my 5/3 account. I was hoping there were not a lot of taxes that would go over a dollar. I was very shocked to see a debit was taken out for $15! After breathing deeply and counting to ten ;) I got a deposit slip ready for the bank. Since I was going to be at MENC again the next day, I found a friend to go to the bank for me.
Okay, so sigh of relief right? Well, not exactly! Who wants to pay 15 bucks for a 2 minute call? The next evening I got online again to be sure my deposit went through and everything was clear, and saw ANOTHER debit taken out for $23.73 from the same company! Fifteen was starting to look good at this point. Forty was not! I called the bank and put a block on my card then made another trip to the bank with a deposit. Aahh! Who are these people? And why are they doing this to me?
Once the transactions went through it turned out that only (I say that lightly) the $23.73 went through and the $15 disappeared. I am currently waiting for my 'dispute' to clear and will hopefully get some money back. I guess we all live and learn, huh?! I will NOT be using my debit card for any more phone calls or the like! Next time I will sleep in the hallway! (or just be certain my phone is completely charged ahead of time)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Vine Street
That street name probably means many things, to many different people. I am sure Cincinnati is not the only city with such a title. Even in Cincy, I am sure people have varying expectations, feelings, or memories associated with it. With a few of GBS college students there is no exception.
I am the leader of the Sunday afternoon Kids Klub on Vine Street. I love teaching the kids about God and planting seeds from the Bible in their hearts and minds. I have a good crew of fellow college students who help out tremendously. As with any mission-type ministry, there is often a big turn-over of congregation. Many families are in and out of that area and it is hard to establish long-term relationships with the children. We have taught anywhere from 2 children on one Sunday to 18 children another Sunday.
The last several weeks have been on the low end, and I began sensing a bit of discouragement from some of the workers. It is difficult to feel needed and helpful in a ministry when there is a 4:12 ratio of children to workers!
Although I must say, I am of the belief that in the long run it is better to have truly helped 1 or 2 really find God and grow, than to have had fun trying to corral and teach 20. And it is encouraging that the same 4 have been coming steadily for the last month! But today before we left to pick up kids, we asked God to allow us more children to minister to. I was so happy when we had 9 today! Thank God for answered prayer! I believe it was the boost we all needed to want to keep going. They may not all return next Sunday, but we will continue knocking on their doors each week.
There are other things that take place on Vine Street which cause equal passion in our hearts, but are of a completely opposite nature! Vine Street is known as part of the roughest area in Cincinnati and many drugs are dealt, alcoholism is strong and the living standards are low. These are the people that we want to reach for Christ.
Today when we arrived, directly across the street an all-to-familiar scene was taking place. The cops were there and were handling some issues. After kids klub was over and the workers were cleaning up, we had the door open because the weather was nice. I turned around just in time to see two or three men exchanging small bags for large amounts of money. I had witnessed this before but never with such closeness. If they would have taken one step they would have entered our chapel! I slowly closed the door, not wanting to draw attention or appear rude. We did not want any trouble!
It is heartbreaking to see the sin that has these people so messed up! I came away today with a new determination to keep on! We must do our part to bring people to God. I love those kids and hope to make a difference in their lives. Hopefully they will not be in the same state of life as their parents, aunts, and uncles when they reach adulthood and even their teens.
I should mention one more thing involving Vine Street. Yes, it is dirty, drug-infested, and dangerous. But God has protected us and put a hedge around our chapel. The sin is all-around but they see us every Sunday coming back faithfully; we have a level of respect with these people. Of course, you must be aware of the possibilities and assume common sense. Being cautious by staying in groups and keeping strong guys nearby is one sure method :)
I am thankful for this opportunity to serve God and others! And I definitely look forward to more eventful Sunday afternoons on Vine Street!
