Today is day 1 of our new 6-day rotation. I realized the other day that I have completely reversed my schedule. While I used to only worry about kids from 8 AM- 3 PM, it's now the only free time I have besides our 3-days off.
It's been pretty uneventful. There are still some inter-staff relational stuff, but we keep reminding ourselves that we are here for the kids and that God has us here for a reason. He's protecting us and growing us through all of this.
We have cable now and we didn't for quite some time. Now that I have had cable for a while, I'm certain that the only thing I missed out on was Key & Peele. This show is amazing. It's the highlight of my days. :-) Watching that with a kitty cuddled on my lap and a kitty cuddled at my head makes life complete.
I started reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. I'm about 50 pages in and it's fantastic. I need fed and I think this is perfect. Shane's experience reminds me of my own. He was confused by his experience with church and other Christians, yet hungry for God. I'm glad he's sharing his story. While reading this, I'm already inspired to be a missionary. I think that's part of our equation somewhere down the road. We keep saying we want to live off grid and I think there's quite literally many opportunities to do God's will off grid. Interesting to think and dream about... One main obstacle in our way is our health, but hopefully we have a solution to that...
Michael and I are starting Medifast in about a week. We are excited to finally be healthy. I will be taking before pictures, but until there's a significant loss, I don't think I'll post any just yet. :-) We will post progress, just not pictures.
Other than that, prayer warriors... Keep sending the love!! Thanks!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Winning Big with a Weekend Off
We enjoyed our first weekend off since training. It was awesome! Friday was our typical snooze day. We basically sleep all day and play video games. Around 8 PM, we decided to head to Ameristar Casino. We ate and drank at the Amerisports Bar. Then we found our way to the penny slots. Within ten minutes, Michael won $250. We continued to play with our allotted money and kept that cashed out ticket safe in my purse. It was awesome. We were home by 11 PM. I zonked out while Michael played video games. A dandy start to our weekend off!
Saturday we went to check out Lincoln. It was pretty awesome. We left around noon and got there about an hour later. Our first stop was La Paz, Mexican restaurant. It was rated as the number one restaurant in Lincoln. It was obvious as to why. The atmosphere was awesome- very much like El Sol in Harrisburg (made me realllly miss that place)- with Mexican-styled paintings and architecture. They started us off with uh-mazing tortillas and salsa. I got shrimp and chicken fajitas, while Michael got Enchiladas La Paz. Yummm!! We finished with flan with orange liquer. It was delightful!
Our next stop was the Sheldon Art Museum, located on the University of Nebraksa campus. It was pretty cool to appreciate art together. It was our first art museum adventure. There were some really neat paintings. They had the "A Mother of Seven Children" by Dorthea Lange (below)! We decided as a couple that we much prefer paintings to pictures, though. Michael got me some really neat tree earrings that are made from recycled wood. I'll have to take pictures and post it.
Then we journeyed to Cool and Collected- a neat antiques market. We purchased a little painting of a sunset in the background and the outline of leaf-less trees on the glass- my favorite kind of picture. Being around "antiques" always prompts a conversation about how the things we have won't last long enough to pass down to our kids. Stuff made today is so cheap and mass produced and intentionally not built to last so you have to keep buying new. It's ridiculous...
Anyways! Michael found a vapor shop and treated himself to a new flavor and tanks.
Next we went to Ten Thousand Villages. It was located in this awesome part of town called Historic Haymarket. It was their downtown trendy area. It had lots of bars, restaurants and cute little shops. Basically it is a bunch of old warehouses that were repurposed into the aforementioned businesses. To boot, it had some cool train station piece to it that looks like it's being developed. I got a nice necklace that has a bunch of colorful beads to go with many outfits. It was made in India. I love it!
It was around 9 PM before we left Ten Thousand Villages and we were quite hungry. We went to Buzzard Billy's Cajun Restaurant by recommendation of one of the Ten Thousand Villages workers. It was amazing. Probably one of my first Cajun dining experiences, so I didn't have much to compare it to. We started out with Jalepeno Cheese Sticks. Then we ordered the following 2 dinners to share (descriptions directly from their menu):
They were awesome. After dinner, we were stuffed and tired with about an hour drive ahead of us. We made it home safe and sound before midnight and zonked.
As far as work goes, we met with our supervisor on Thursday to touch base and she said that we are doing a great job and she can tell that we really care to keep doing better. It's always awesome to hear recognition of your hard work. She said she has her cell phone on and by her side when we are working because she's so used to getting calls about the chaos that ensues with new alternate house parents. That made us feel really awesome. Not to say we haven't had our share of crazy times, but we handled them well and used our resources- the assistants and residential on-call. That gave us a huge boost of motivation to keep on chuggin'. One of the kiddos that we really began forming a solid relationship with was moved to another cottage. We were kind of upset about it, but figured it is happening for a reason 'cause God has a plan and vision bigger than we ever see.
Overall, the behaviors that involve limit testing are dwindling. They are getting the hint that we are wising up to their antics and learning the rules ourselves and aren't pushing too much anymore. That's not to say that we think things will get easier. We have quite a few new kiddos and I get the sense that the "honeymoon is [soon] over". It seems these boys go through a cycle where they initially are open to the rules and expectations, then they realize they are here for the long haul, get angry about the monotony of the program and that they are expected to respond to authority, act out, get corrective teachings, then most seem to calm down and learn "how to play the game". Some, it seems, require more than what this program offers and push the limits and get themselves relocated. So... we will see how things go here in the next month or so. School lets out in about a month and a half and that, combined with nice weather, could be an interesting mix.
On that note, I'm off to enjoy the final hours of our weekend off! :-)
Saturday we went to check out Lincoln. It was pretty awesome. We left around noon and got there about an hour later. Our first stop was La Paz, Mexican restaurant. It was rated as the number one restaurant in Lincoln. It was obvious as to why. The atmosphere was awesome- very much like El Sol in Harrisburg (made me realllly miss that place)- with Mexican-styled paintings and architecture. They started us off with uh-mazing tortillas and salsa. I got shrimp and chicken fajitas, while Michael got Enchiladas La Paz. Yummm!! We finished with flan with orange liquer. It was delightful!
Our next stop was the Sheldon Art Museum, located on the University of Nebraksa campus. It was pretty cool to appreciate art together. It was our first art museum adventure. There were some really neat paintings. They had the "A Mother of Seven Children" by Dorthea Lange (below)! We decided as a couple that we much prefer paintings to pictures, though. Michael got me some really neat tree earrings that are made from recycled wood. I'll have to take pictures and post it.
Then we journeyed to Cool and Collected- a neat antiques market. We purchased a little painting of a sunset in the background and the outline of leaf-less trees on the glass- my favorite kind of picture. Being around "antiques" always prompts a conversation about how the things we have won't last long enough to pass down to our kids. Stuff made today is so cheap and mass produced and intentionally not built to last so you have to keep buying new. It's ridiculous...
Next we went to Ten Thousand Villages. It was located in this awesome part of town called Historic Haymarket. It was their downtown trendy area. It had lots of bars, restaurants and cute little shops. Basically it is a bunch of old warehouses that were repurposed into the aforementioned businesses. To boot, it had some cool train station piece to it that looks like it's being developed. I got a nice necklace that has a bunch of colorful beads to go with many outfits. It was made in India. I love it!
It was around 9 PM before we left Ten Thousand Villages and we were quite hungry. We went to Buzzard Billy's Cajun Restaurant by recommendation of one of the Ten Thousand Villages workers. It was amazing. Probably one of my first Cajun dining experiences, so I didn't have much to compare it to. We started out with Jalepeno Cheese Sticks. Then we ordered the following 2 dinners to share (descriptions directly from their menu):
Chicken Czarina- Medium gulf shrimp, sliced mushrooms, and green onions sautéed in a Creole style Parmesan cream sauce, ladled over a hand breaded, fried chicken breast. Served atop rice with vegetables.
The Cajun Combo- It doesn't get anymore Cajun than this. One blackened catfish fillet, a half order of jambalaya, a cup of seafood gumbo and hushpuppies.
They were awesome. After dinner, we were stuffed and tired with about an hour drive ahead of us. We made it home safe and sound before midnight and zonked.
As far as work goes, we met with our supervisor on Thursday to touch base and she said that we are doing a great job and she can tell that we really care to keep doing better. It's always awesome to hear recognition of your hard work. She said she has her cell phone on and by her side when we are working because she's so used to getting calls about the chaos that ensues with new alternate house parents. That made us feel really awesome. Not to say we haven't had our share of crazy times, but we handled them well and used our resources- the assistants and residential on-call. That gave us a huge boost of motivation to keep on chuggin'. One of the kiddos that we really began forming a solid relationship with was moved to another cottage. We were kind of upset about it, but figured it is happening for a reason 'cause God has a plan and vision bigger than we ever see.
Overall, the behaviors that involve limit testing are dwindling. They are getting the hint that we are wising up to their antics and learning the rules ourselves and aren't pushing too much anymore. That's not to say that we think things will get easier. We have quite a few new kiddos and I get the sense that the "honeymoon is [soon] over". It seems these boys go through a cycle where they initially are open to the rules and expectations, then they realize they are here for the long haul, get angry about the monotony of the program and that they are expected to respond to authority, act out, get corrective teachings, then most seem to calm down and learn "how to play the game". Some, it seems, require more than what this program offers and push the limits and get themselves relocated. So... we will see how things go here in the next month or so. School lets out in about a month and a half and that, combined with nice weather, could be an interesting mix.
On that note, I'm off to enjoy the final hours of our weekend off! :-)
Friday, April 5, 2013
New Career Milestone! BAM!
On a work-related note, we finished our on-the-job-training and are on our own!! We started with six days on at the same cottage and it got quite tiring towards the end. While it was a struggle with all the limit-testing, routine-figuring-outting, and boys just being boys... we think we are slowly, but surely getting the hang of things.
So what if I forgot to dispense meds or Michael forgot a van run? The world didn't end (thankfully) and we have learned some pretty valuable lessons!
My PMS worked in my favor this last rotation. It was my personal switching point from passive observer who addressed overt behaviors, to identifying my personal tolerances and lowering them to anything that has a tinge of disrespect. I can get over a kid manipulating my lack of wisdom surrounding snack time and getting two bags of chips, but I will not stand for racist comments or blatant disrespect. BAM! That just happened... It felt good and empowering. Almost like my personal tolerances had become so high between allowing people to treat me poorly most of my life, not having a system of discipline at the school where I worked, and feeling like there wasn't much I could do about either... It was good to reclaim respect for myself and provide and encourage good boundaries and expectations of behavior for the boys.
I heard the song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real and man did it hit a chord... check out these lyrics:
"I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying,
"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up
I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone..."
It was the perfect reminder moving forward that Michael and I are leaders to these boys, that are still children in so many ways. I've heard research that says for every trauma that has happened in your life, you regress 5-7 years. I know, because I've read their files, these boys have dealt with multiple traumas (to put it lightly), which makes them little boys in mens' bodies. Forced to grow and be strong and never given the chance to just carelessly enjoy childhood. God love 'em.
This is our last day off. We begin another 6-day rotation tomorrow. Three days at one cottage, followed by three days at a different cottage should help. Six days at one cottage was a long stint. For now, Michael has a surprise for my birthday and I think he's just about ready. :-)
Oh, and here's another little thing that is kinda silly but really means the world to me- So at the dining hall each night, the cottages all sit at their own tables, so there is no intermingling. Afterwards, when everyone cleans up, you bump into the other cottages to chat and whatnot. Well... we always heard the kids asking other staff, "When are you coming back to work at our cottage?" I always was jealous... just a little bit. I wanted the kids to want us around... Well... it happened!! I went to the Rec Center the one day and one of the boys from the other cottage asked when I was coming back because he really needed help with Algebra I!!! Yay!! AND!! Two boys asked when we were coming back at the dining hall, which just made my heart melt and leap for joy at the same time!! :-) It really meant a lot. That alone will keep me going for quite some time. Haha... Not to mention, the dining hall is some crazy sort of "Keeping Up with the Jones'" nightmare. Everybody is watching everybody else, it's kinda hostile and it's not very welcoming... So, when a kid says that and it's overheard, it's a big deal. :-)
Hopefully updates won't be as few and far between!!
Love and God Bless,
Lena
So what if I forgot to dispense meds or Michael forgot a van run? The world didn't end (thankfully) and we have learned some pretty valuable lessons!
My PMS worked in my favor this last rotation. It was my personal switching point from passive observer who addressed overt behaviors, to identifying my personal tolerances and lowering them to anything that has a tinge of disrespect. I can get over a kid manipulating my lack of wisdom surrounding snack time and getting two bags of chips, but I will not stand for racist comments or blatant disrespect. BAM! That just happened... It felt good and empowering. Almost like my personal tolerances had become so high between allowing people to treat me poorly most of my life, not having a system of discipline at the school where I worked, and feeling like there wasn't much I could do about either... It was good to reclaim respect for myself and provide and encourage good boundaries and expectations of behavior for the boys.
I heard the song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real and man did it hit a chord... check out these lyrics:
"I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying,
"Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?
Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone."
So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I am called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't you lead me?
To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love
Chasing dreams that I could give up
I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone
Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone..."
It was the perfect reminder moving forward that Michael and I are leaders to these boys, that are still children in so many ways. I've heard research that says for every trauma that has happened in your life, you regress 5-7 years. I know, because I've read their files, these boys have dealt with multiple traumas (to put it lightly), which makes them little boys in mens' bodies. Forced to grow and be strong and never given the chance to just carelessly enjoy childhood. God love 'em.
This is our last day off. We begin another 6-day rotation tomorrow. Three days at one cottage, followed by three days at a different cottage should help. Six days at one cottage was a long stint. For now, Michael has a surprise for my birthday and I think he's just about ready. :-)
Oh, and here's another little thing that is kinda silly but really means the world to me- So at the dining hall each night, the cottages all sit at their own tables, so there is no intermingling. Afterwards, when everyone cleans up, you bump into the other cottages to chat and whatnot. Well... we always heard the kids asking other staff, "When are you coming back to work at our cottage?" I always was jealous... just a little bit. I wanted the kids to want us around... Well... it happened!! I went to the Rec Center the one day and one of the boys from the other cottage asked when I was coming back because he really needed help with Algebra I!!! Yay!! AND!! Two boys asked when we were coming back at the dining hall, which just made my heart melt and leap for joy at the same time!! :-) It really meant a lot. That alone will keep me going for quite some time. Haha... Not to mention, the dining hall is some crazy sort of "Keeping Up with the Jones'" nightmare. Everybody is watching everybody else, it's kinda hostile and it's not very welcoming... So, when a kid says that and it's overheard, it's a big deal. :-)
Hopefully updates won't be as few and far between!!
Love and God Bless,
Lena
My 30th Year!! God is Good!! Selah.
I never thought I'd be "one of those women" who hated the idea of turning 30. Can't say I'm fully there or even where I'm celebrating my 1st anniversary of being 29... It has, however, brought with it an air of seriousness, I guess. I mean, looking back on my previous 30ish years, am I who I want to be and am I on the path I want to be on? And furthermore, who do I want to be and where do I want to be going?
No, I don't own a home and I don't have children (albeit, I'm a mother of two lovely young kitties!)... I'm not exactly out of debt (although my student loans were forgiven less than a week ago- happy early birthday to me, AES!)... I'm not where I want to be physically (really contemplating joining the Medifast plan!)... I just switched careers in an unstable job market...
I don't know... by society's standards, I might not be "on track" for being 30, but no matter how much I realize these "milestones" in a typical life in America and how they have not happened... I'm pretty pleased with my life.
I attribute that to my choice to learn from my ridiculous 20's- the unbearable loneliness and stupid decisions that resulted from it, consuming way too much alcohol and too many cigarettes, rocky relationships with my parents and family, buying wardrobes of clothing from Lane Bryant and Old Navy and entering a debt management program consequently, starting a teaching career I didn't feel prepared for and fumbling through it, doubting God existed because things didn't go according to my plans, living in 4 different cities with multiple roommates, owning 3 different cars, switching my group of friends many times due to circumstances, immature disagreements, or because we grew apart...
Yet, in an overall sense, I came out of my 20's unscathed and oozing with peace and joy.
The foundation of my peace and joy is my relationship with God. Through all the ups and downs and highs and lows and ins and outs of my 20's... God was there. When I doubted Him, he proved himself and drew me closer-though some issues took years to resolve. The turning point in my life was when I stopped having an agenda and began trusting His. Out of the last decade of my life, He has given me the best parts of my life, the things that will last- a wonderful, loving, husband who makes it his personal job to make me smile and listen sincerely to whatever comes out of my mouth, friends who are true, faithful and are still there once the backyard BBQs stopped, opportunities to love and care for a slew of wonderful teenagers, compassion for others, discernment between things of this world and His world, true peace and joy that goes beyond what could ever make sense to this world, and a hope for the future that is renewed, "Every new day again" (FIF)!!!
With a tear in my eye, I said something along these lines to Michael this morning, "Man... if the past 2 years has been this amazing, isn't it overwhelming to think what wonderful things will come?" I know things will be great, because God promises that to those who love Him. I'm not naive to think my 30's won't bring sickness, possible death, heartache, and other things that could rock my world, but He has taught me to trust and praise him in ALL things.
So as I look boldly forward at this next decade of my life, I won't be ruled by anxiety, fear, doubt or uncertainty; instead, I will put my trust, hope, and faith in the Lord and praise Him through it ALL!! Amen!!
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7
No, I don't own a home and I don't have children (albeit, I'm a mother of two lovely young kitties!)... I'm not exactly out of debt (although my student loans were forgiven less than a week ago- happy early birthday to me, AES!)... I'm not where I want to be physically (really contemplating joining the Medifast plan!)... I just switched careers in an unstable job market...
I don't know... by society's standards, I might not be "on track" for being 30, but no matter how much I realize these "milestones" in a typical life in America and how they have not happened... I'm pretty pleased with my life.
I attribute that to my choice to learn from my ridiculous 20's- the unbearable loneliness and stupid decisions that resulted from it, consuming way too much alcohol and too many cigarettes, rocky relationships with my parents and family, buying wardrobes of clothing from Lane Bryant and Old Navy and entering a debt management program consequently, starting a teaching career I didn't feel prepared for and fumbling through it, doubting God existed because things didn't go according to my plans, living in 4 different cities with multiple roommates, owning 3 different cars, switching my group of friends many times due to circumstances, immature disagreements, or because we grew apart...
Yet, in an overall sense, I came out of my 20's unscathed and oozing with peace and joy.
The foundation of my peace and joy is my relationship with God. Through all the ups and downs and highs and lows and ins and outs of my 20's... God was there. When I doubted Him, he proved himself and drew me closer-though some issues took years to resolve. The turning point in my life was when I stopped having an agenda and began trusting His. Out of the last decade of my life, He has given me the best parts of my life, the things that will last- a wonderful, loving, husband who makes it his personal job to make me smile and listen sincerely to whatever comes out of my mouth, friends who are true, faithful and are still there once the backyard BBQs stopped, opportunities to love and care for a slew of wonderful teenagers, compassion for others, discernment between things of this world and His world, true peace and joy that goes beyond what could ever make sense to this world, and a hope for the future that is renewed, "Every new day again" (FIF)!!!
With a tear in my eye, I said something along these lines to Michael this morning, "Man... if the past 2 years has been this amazing, isn't it overwhelming to think what wonderful things will come?" I know things will be great, because God promises that to those who love Him. I'm not naive to think my 30's won't bring sickness, possible death, heartache, and other things that could rock my world, but He has taught me to trust and praise him in ALL things.
So as I look boldly forward at this next decade of my life, I won't be ruled by anxiety, fear, doubt or uncertainty; instead, I will put my trust, hope, and faith in the Lord and praise Him through it ALL!! Amen!!
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7
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