Dia del Nino

Our after school program has been going a little bit better. The last couple times we have had about 10 - 12 kids show up which is huge number for our small space. Because CRCT was this week and last week they didn't have any homework, plus I knew they were probably sick of worksheet after worksheet. I used last week to try to do some gardening and planting with the group. It was fun, but boy are they a handful and oh so easily distracted! Even though it can be frustrating at times I think what we are doing is good. The kids have an opportunity to interact with children of various cultures, languages, and ages. Today we are going to have a party to celebrate Dia del Nino, the Day of the Child which is a Mexican holiday. The holiday is actually tomorrow. Yesterday Gabi, Norma, and I made a pinata! I hope this will be a good opportunity for the kids to learn to accept and appreciate what friends from other places can bring to their own lives. In light of whats going on in Arizona this is fitting. I hope that we can teach this generation of children how to love their neighbors, whether they live in the house or the country next door.

Gardening is Dangerous.

Gardening can be dangerous. I have been trying to do some gardening with the neighborhood kids after school. Yesterday after watering the plants on the way to turn the hose off I had an unfortunate encounter with the fence. I walked right into the steel door of the fence and somehow gashed my forehead. Almost instantly my hands were covered in blood, right in front of all the kids. After I clean myself up had actually looked at the cut I saw it wasn't really that bad, but man on man it hurt like you know what. Today I wore a big band-aid on my head and and looked really cool. I had to keep telling the story of my clumsiness over and over. I kinda have a feeling my head is gonna turn purple and bruise. I just hope I don't have a huge scar. This wasn't really the tattoo I hoped to get this year!

Even though gardening can be dangerous, it can also be delicious. We planted strawberries several months ago and they are now ready to eat. MMMMM good!

Softball fun

Besides the insane amount of pollen in the air (and on my car) I absolutely love spring. Flowers, beautiful weather, everything about it just lifts my spirits. I have come to really love my little neighborhood in Georgia. Last night we had our second neighborhood softball game. Dustin, the biggest baseball fan I have EVER met, came up with the idea to incorporate sports with neighborhood ministry. Many kids in our neighborhood don't have a chance to play team sports because they are too expensive. Why not start a league of our own! We were curious what the interest would be and we were blown away. It seems like every day there is a new kid at our house telling us he wants to play of the softball team!

We wanted to create softball teams as a way to mentor youth in our neighborhood. I think it's working! But the coolest thing is that our house of six are not the only adults involved in this ministry. We have become friends with other neighbors, just like us in that they want to share God's love with our neighborhood. Each softball team is made up of about half kids half adults. These kids are being surround by Godly positive role models. LaGrange College is letting us use on of their practice fields ( which is about a mile from our house) for our games. Yesterday we even had a group of parents and other neighbors in the stands cheering us on. It was awesome!

We had a group of boys and a few girls hang out at our house from almost the time we got home from church to the time we left for softball. We were in the middle of house cleaning and mowing. I had some of the helping me inside and Ben had some of the boys help him mow our yard! They not only wanted to help out, the offered!

I am blown away by how God is not only working in our neighborhood, but in my life as well. I am beginning to realize it's not all about me. God's plan for my life is more than to be happy and financially successful. God created me so I could share his love with others. God created me so I could share what I have with those who have none. This year I don't have much extra money. But I can share my time and my friendship.

Ben has news!

Ben has good news too! He has a job for after Mission Year. He is officially going to stay at DASH! I can't believe I am excited to be staying in a little bity town, but I am! Hooray for jobs!!!!

I've got news!

Ben and I have been trying to discern our plans for next year. For me I knew I really wanted to teach again. Today not only did I find out that my Texas certificate transfers over to Georgia, I also found I have a job for the fall. I am going to be teaching 2nd grade at the school where I have been volunteering all year.

I can't even tell you how happy I am. I didn't think I could ever find a school I would like as much as St. Gregory or teachers that were as wonderful as the ones I used to work with. I am just so happy to not only have a job, but to have a job at a school I already love!

Hooray!!!!!

Spring Break Pics

Spring Break makes me jump for joy!!!

Best friends.

Got new hairdo!

Watched the Easter Parade.

Best seat in the house!
Stayed at Mimi's house.



I want this tree.

Cherry blossoms!

Family.

Made a new friend.

Went scalloping!

Got a a bit lost in St. Petersburg!

Saw A Rod






And ended up at Tropicana Field and the the Yankees/Rays game!

We had a such a fun week!

I'm back

Spring break was awesome! This was definitely the longest and busiest spring break I have ever had. We took a tour of the Gulf Coast this past week! Here's a synopsis. New Orleans - birthday party weekend, Mobile -visited family had another birthday dinner, Mexico Beach - 1 day vacation for just Ben and I, Steinhachee - visit Ben's family, Tampa - day of fun with Dustin and Jamie and we ened our fun with a Yankee/Tampa Bay baseball game!!!!! We took a ridiculous amount of pictures this weekend. I'll post some when I have a chance!

Birthday party

Cake face.

Guess what!

Spring Break starts NOW! We are leaving for New Orleans today and will stay through Sunday. Then we are heading to Mobile, Perry, and finally Tampa! I can't wait. This is going to be the best spring break EVER!!!!