I Survived Week 1!

Did anybody else have a crazy week?  Maybe it was just me between the moving and the new job and packing and unpacking and 10 new teenagers in my life, but this week was a whirlwind.

But, I made it!

I got to spend a bunch of time getting familiar with the girls, their histories, our schedule, the town (turns out our Zumba instructor is also the pharmacist), and of course filled out more paperwork than anyone ever should.  I've felt all your prayers this week and wouldn't have made it through without them.  Thank you!!

In the coming weeks I'll be featuring one of our girls each post to give a little bit of insight into the work that the Lord is doing in these girls' lives!  (For confidentiality all names will be changed.)

This last week my boss asked me if I'd be willing to put my art degree to work.  I'm excited to start crafting and art-ing with these girls- I've been really interested in art therapy lately now I get some first on experience without all the extra student loans :)

I'm collecting craft ideas to do with our girls if anybody's got some to share!

Let me know how I can be praying for you

Love,

J

(New) Home Sweet Home

That ^ is my new home!  Well, not exactly... actually that looks like a train station.  Anyway, I'm moving to Kingman!  There's a semi-long story here but the gist is, the Lord dropped an opportunity in my lap that was so good, He knew I couldn't say no.

Six months ago I moved home to Wichita from my heart's home in Tulsa, OK.  The months that have followed that move have been some of the hardest I can remember, but they've also been filled with new community, old support groups, and dear friends.  During them I was nothing but frustrated, but looking back, it was a good time of wrestling.  20/20 right?

2 1/2 weeks ago I was, once again, looking at job postings and the first listing was from Main Place Youth.  A quick Google search quickly told me this was the job I'd been waiting for.  I called the next morning for more information, had an interview the next day and was hired that night.  If that series of events doesn't point to a God who's intimately involved in our lives, I don't know what does.

This job opening up was such a cool reminder of who God is and how concerned with us He is.  I'm sad to be leaving some really great community in Wichita, but luckily I'll only be an hour away.

While in Kingman, I'll be working as a house parent in a girls' home for girls ages 12-18.  Some of these girls are former prostitutes, addicts, cutters, trafficking victims, etc.  Jesus is the only answer to the pain they've had to shoulder in their short lives.  I can't wait to be His hands and feet.  I can only imagine what I'm in for as I do life with these girls, prayers are always appreciated!

Love,
J