There are SO many reasons for the title of this blog. :) I will go through some of them, haha.
I got back to Philly on Tuesday around 2:30. Denise, my Kids Club co-leader called me around 10 (while we were on the road) to tell me that she had been called into work and wasn't going to be able to do the lesson for Kids Club that night. Not a problem, we have several movies we can show, and I have no problem doing that. However, I suddenly had the idea of playing a game to review things from the last semester with the kids. So, I spent a good part of the rest of the ride preparing the game...which included needing a wheel (kinda like wheel of fortune). Thankfully, we had one at the church that just needed some modifications!! But, the prep for Kids Club took me from the time I got home until right as Kids Club started. The game went well and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun, and it was a really good review for the kids. In fact, I think I will do it again at the end of next semester. Still...the movie would have been much easier. :)
When I finally got home on Tuesday night I checked my email to discover that I was WAY behind on my AIM work (like 57 emails and many phone calls behind). Now, because of my personality, waiting until Wednesday to do my work would have been very difficult. So, I proceeded to respond to all the emails I could and saved only the phone calls until Wednesday. That took me until about 7 a.m. I got completely caught up though!!! I took a quick nap and then headed to staff prayer at 9.
Thankfully, because I got caught on Tuesday night, I didn't have to work extra on Wednesday and when my AIM hours were over a 2 p.m., I immediately took a 3 hour nap. That had me rested and ready to go for Prayer Pals. I also pretty much went straight to bed after Prayer Pals, so now I am caught up on my work and my sleep!!
I know the staying up until 7 wasn't the best idea I have ever had...which means it continues with my theme of losing my mind. :)
I am really glad that I got caught up though because the rest of this week and on through about the middle of December will be extremely busy. Here is the quick run down:
Doctor's appt. tmw
Grocery shopping and house cleaning this weekend
Next week will be a "normal" week (which is still pretty busy).
Next Friday is the Cornerstone Adult Christmas Party
The following Monday is the Kids Club Christmas Party (which I will be planning for most of next week).
*** Something to pray for with that...the church that usually donates the presents for the party is talking about giving us gift cards to shop with...they will have the gift cards to us on Dec. 10th. The Christmas party is Dec. 10th. PRAY THEY SEND US MONEY INSTEAD!! Either way, we have to shop for about 200 Christmas gifts OURSELVES this year!! (Hopefully we don't have to do it the day of the party!)
Tuesday is the Pre-Teen Christmas Party (which I normally don't attend, but this year 5 of the kids that I drive to kids club are all in pre-teens! So, I will be going this year).
Wednesday is "normal"
Thursday is the Teen Club Christmas party.
My friend Catherine comes to visit on Friday. We will be driving to see her family in CT on Sunday, coming back on Monday.
That Wednesday is the Prayer Pals Christmas party (which also requires planning and probably shopping).
That should be the end of the chaos. I will head home to visit my parents in the 23rd or 24th, coming back to Philly on the 27th or 28th, depending on ticket prices.
Somewhere in there I also have to fit in a movie date with Paxton, a skating date with several kids, a shopping trip with Miguel and Bonita, a separate one with Tasha as well as my own Christmas shopping. Oh, and I am trying to keep going to the gym regularly and I work 9-2 everyday. Whew!!
I hope it doesn't sound like I am complaining, cause I'm not. This is always a busy time of year, so I am prepared for it. We don't start clubs back up until the end of January, so I will get some good rest time as well as prep time in there.
Still, the next few weeks are going to be interesting...especially if my mind stays gone. :)
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
I'm still here!?!?
I can't believe its Saturday, and I still have 2 more FULL days in Virginia!! Usually I would be on my way back to Philly, or packing to leave early in the morning. I am so excited to get to stick around!!
The last few days have been pretty uneventful (which I LOVE!), which is part of the reason I haven't posted. The other part is that my parents have dial up Internet, and its about to drive me insane. :) I didn't have Internet at my house until about a year ago, but there is no turning back!!
Anyway, Thanksgiving Day was a really nice day. We went out to eat for the meal (there are only 5 of us) and ate a ton. The rest of the day we just spent time together talking and relaxing. Friday turned out to be just as relaxing with very little activity. Everyone in my family hates crowds and none of us are fond of shopping either, so the idea of going anywhere on Black Friday was not appealing to anyone. My dad and I did have a few errands to run, but neither CVS nor Lowes was very crowded. :) I did have some shopping to do, but all the sales I wanted to hit were still going on today, so I decided to wait.
Instead, over my first 2 days here I read 2 novels and started a third. I LOVE to read, so this has been a GREAT vacation for me! Today turned out to be the most eventful day thus far. I slept in (which I also love to do!) and got up in time for the Tech/UVA game. This is always a big game, as I have mentioned before, and we were not necessarily favored to win. Thankfully, WE DID WIN!!!! It was a really fun game to watch, especially with my family who loves Tech football as much as I do. GO HOKIES!!!
After the game my brother and I headed out for some shopping. The closest shopping to South Boston is an hour away, but we had a good time in the car. My brother and I have the exact same sense of humor, so we laugh together a lot. We ended up visiting several different stores looking for the best deal...but neither of us are impulse buyers, so we didn't buy anything. We both think we found what we are looking for, so we will keep an eye out for the best price (nothing was on an extreme sale). The one thing I am looking to buy ASAP is a treadmill. In fact, I found a good one at a good price, but I wasn't sure if I could get it back to Philly. So, I will wait until I get back to Philly and hope to find the same one at a good price there. (It was on sale, but not a Thanksgiving Day sale, so the store people were pretty sure I could find it just as easily in Philly). I am REALLY excited to get one! :)
I still can't believe I have 2 more full days here! My dad will head back to NC tomorrow, so it will just be me and my mom. I do have to work for AIM on Monday (provided I can find some wireless Internet somewhere in this town!) and I have some Kids Club things to get ready for (invitations to the Christmas party...which I just realized need to be handed out as soon as I get back on Tuesday!). None of that is really stressful though. I do miss everyone back in Philly, but I have definitely enjoyed the rest.
The last few days have been pretty uneventful (which I LOVE!), which is part of the reason I haven't posted. The other part is that my parents have dial up Internet, and its about to drive me insane. :) I didn't have Internet at my house until about a year ago, but there is no turning back!!
Anyway, Thanksgiving Day was a really nice day. We went out to eat for the meal (there are only 5 of us) and ate a ton. The rest of the day we just spent time together talking and relaxing. Friday turned out to be just as relaxing with very little activity. Everyone in my family hates crowds and none of us are fond of shopping either, so the idea of going anywhere on Black Friday was not appealing to anyone. My dad and I did have a few errands to run, but neither CVS nor Lowes was very crowded. :) I did have some shopping to do, but all the sales I wanted to hit were still going on today, so I decided to wait.
Instead, over my first 2 days here I read 2 novels and started a third. I LOVE to read, so this has been a GREAT vacation for me! Today turned out to be the most eventful day thus far. I slept in (which I also love to do!) and got up in time for the Tech/UVA game. This is always a big game, as I have mentioned before, and we were not necessarily favored to win. Thankfully, WE DID WIN!!!! It was a really fun game to watch, especially with my family who loves Tech football as much as I do. GO HOKIES!!!
After the game my brother and I headed out for some shopping. The closest shopping to South Boston is an hour away, but we had a good time in the car. My brother and I have the exact same sense of humor, so we laugh together a lot. We ended up visiting several different stores looking for the best deal...but neither of us are impulse buyers, so we didn't buy anything. We both think we found what we are looking for, so we will keep an eye out for the best price (nothing was on an extreme sale). The one thing I am looking to buy ASAP is a treadmill. In fact, I found a good one at a good price, but I wasn't sure if I could get it back to Philly. So, I will wait until I get back to Philly and hope to find the same one at a good price there. (It was on sale, but not a Thanksgiving Day sale, so the store people were pretty sure I could find it just as easily in Philly). I am REALLY excited to get one! :)
I still can't believe I have 2 more full days here! My dad will head back to NC tomorrow, so it will just be me and my mom. I do have to work for AIM on Monday (provided I can find some wireless Internet somewhere in this town!) and I have some Kids Club things to get ready for (invitations to the Christmas party...which I just realized need to be handed out as soon as I get back on Tuesday!). None of that is really stressful though. I do miss everyone back in Philly, but I have definitely enjoyed the rest.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Dear Michael Vick...
Dear Michael Vick,
My name is Trish and I am a graduate of Virginia Tech. In fact, I graduated in 2002, the same year you would have graduated had you not already gone pro. I was at every home game you played at Virginia Tech and even traveled to the Sugar Bowl in 2000 and to the University of Miami later that same year (you were injured and didn't play in the game). I have never actually met you, although I did see you from a distance a few times in West End during lunch. I never heard a bad word spoken about you as a person while I was at Tech. Of course, people had plenty to say about your performance on the field (funny how people in the stands can tell you exactly how you should have played a game...all the while not facing down a line of defenders whose only goal is to take you out), but I heard nothing bad about your character. I was a Michael Vick fan from the first Spring Game you ever played...and for the record, I am still a fan.
I continued my allegiance as you entered the NFL and became an Atlanta Falcons fan on draft day. In the fall of 2002 I moved to Philadelphia, and despite intense pressure from EVERYONE around me, rooted for the Falcons every time the two teams met. 5 years later I consider myself an avid Eagles fan now (growing up in VA left me with no real allegiance to a pro team...the Carolina Panthers were too little too late for true Virginians...besides, who needs a pro team when you have the Hokies?!?). However, no matter how my allegiance to the Eagles grows, I have never been able to root against you. I still can't.
Since the news of this dog fighting has come out, I have heard a lot of negative things being said about you. I find it interesting. In the almost 10 years that you have been in the spotlight, not a single person who has ever really known you has had a single negative thing to say about you. Even now in the midst of this scandal...the people who really know you can't say anything bad about you. Its only the people who have never met you that have a lot to say. That tells me something about who you really are. I hope you see that too.
I was watching the show Kid Nation tonight and a 10 year old boy looked the camera straight on and said, "Its not how many times you fall that matters. Its how many times you get up". I wanted you to know that I have watched you stand tall, I have watched you fall, and I am watching you get back up. I work with inner city youth in Philadelphia and you are one of the few celebrities that I WILL tell my kids to look up to. Why? Because you are one of the few celebrities...one of the few people in this world, who has made a mistake, owned up to it and faced the consequences; no excuses and no whining. There aren't many people like that left in this world. That is integrity. That is a role model. Too many celebrities exploit women, exploit their sexuality, and especially exploit urban culture to get rich and take no responsibility for how their actions affect so many people. You are not like that. Thank you.
I don't know where you are with your faith, and I don't want to sound like I am preaching at all. I hope you see this as an encouragement. When I think of you, I think of King David from the Old Testament. David was a man after God's own heart and was very blessed by God. But, David made a mistake. And then to cover up that mistake, he made an even bigger mistake. David's mistake was WAY worse than yours...he impregnated a woman and then KILLED that woman's husband to cover up what he had done. THEN, he kept all of that a secret. One day, though, David's secret was revealed...and he was disgraced. I think you kinda know that the feels like?
David's response was immediate repentance. That is what I saw from you as well. David still had to face consequences. The child that he bore with the married woman, died...and that tore David apart. I imagine right now, you are experiencing a lot of sorrow from your choices. Please know that because of David's repentance and trust in the Lord, he was restored. David became one of the greatest kings of Israel, is immortalized as "a man after God's own heart" and is in the blood line of Jesus. David's sin is not what defines him today; his heart for God is.
I can envision so many great things for your life. I don't have any idea what God's plan for you is, but I pray that you are seeking it...because I am positive that restoration is part of it. God is the restorer of broken walls, and right now I know you are broken. There are so many kids that could benefit from your life, your struggles...and yes, your talent.
I am so very tired of judging people, and even more tired of being judged. I struggle with judging people, I will be the first to admit that. In fact, that is one of the MANY things that the Lord is working with me on. There are a lot of people out there that think they are better than you. I find that simply hilarious. I know it sounds cliche, but Jesus said it so its not only true, but not something to be taken lightly; "He who is without sin, cast the first stone". It is SO hard for me to hear the voice of God over the voice of judgement and condemnation. I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you right now.
So, I am praying for you. I am praying that you will hear the voice of truth speaking to your heart. The voice telling you that you are NOT defined by your actions, nor by what other people think of you. You are defined by your heart. By who rules your heart. There are plenty of people who claim to know you...to know exactly the "kind of person you are". Not a single one of those people knows your heart. "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." ~1 Samuel 16:7.
I have to admit that I am writing this letter just as much for myself as I am for you. See, for me, the reason it is so much easier to hear the condemnation rather than the truth is because I believe the judgements myself. I believe that I am too overweight to ever been truly loved. I believe that mistakes that I have made make it impossible for me to be redeemed. I believe that other people are right and I am not worth much, if anything to this world. I believe the lies. Its so hard not to. That is, until I read the truth. The truth is, I am a treasure. The truth is, I am already loved, worthy and redeemed. The truth is, "Those who look to Him [God] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." ~Psalm 34:5.
Do not be ashamed. You are redeemed. You are worthy. You are loved. Your heart is good, beautiful and pure.
And, if it matters...I am still a Michael Vick fan. Michael Vick the Hokie, Michael Vick the Falcon...Michael Vick the man...and Michael Vick the redeemed.
Sincerely,
Trish ...a Hokie, a woman, a treasure, redeemed and unashamed.
My name is Trish and I am a graduate of Virginia Tech. In fact, I graduated in 2002, the same year you would have graduated had you not already gone pro. I was at every home game you played at Virginia Tech and even traveled to the Sugar Bowl in 2000 and to the University of Miami later that same year (you were injured and didn't play in the game). I have never actually met you, although I did see you from a distance a few times in West End during lunch. I never heard a bad word spoken about you as a person while I was at Tech. Of course, people had plenty to say about your performance on the field (funny how people in the stands can tell you exactly how you should have played a game...all the while not facing down a line of defenders whose only goal is to take you out), but I heard nothing bad about your character. I was a Michael Vick fan from the first Spring Game you ever played...and for the record, I am still a fan.
I continued my allegiance as you entered the NFL and became an Atlanta Falcons fan on draft day. In the fall of 2002 I moved to Philadelphia, and despite intense pressure from EVERYONE around me, rooted for the Falcons every time the two teams met. 5 years later I consider myself an avid Eagles fan now (growing up in VA left me with no real allegiance to a pro team...the Carolina Panthers were too little too late for true Virginians...besides, who needs a pro team when you have the Hokies?!?). However, no matter how my allegiance to the Eagles grows, I have never been able to root against you. I still can't.
Since the news of this dog fighting has come out, I have heard a lot of negative things being said about you. I find it interesting. In the almost 10 years that you have been in the spotlight, not a single person who has ever really known you has had a single negative thing to say about you. Even now in the midst of this scandal...the people who really know you can't say anything bad about you. Its only the people who have never met you that have a lot to say. That tells me something about who you really are. I hope you see that too.
I was watching the show Kid Nation tonight and a 10 year old boy looked the camera straight on and said, "Its not how many times you fall that matters. Its how many times you get up". I wanted you to know that I have watched you stand tall, I have watched you fall, and I am watching you get back up. I work with inner city youth in Philadelphia and you are one of the few celebrities that I WILL tell my kids to look up to. Why? Because you are one of the few celebrities...one of the few people in this world, who has made a mistake, owned up to it and faced the consequences; no excuses and no whining. There aren't many people like that left in this world. That is integrity. That is a role model. Too many celebrities exploit women, exploit their sexuality, and especially exploit urban culture to get rich and take no responsibility for how their actions affect so many people. You are not like that. Thank you.
I don't know where you are with your faith, and I don't want to sound like I am preaching at all. I hope you see this as an encouragement. When I think of you, I think of King David from the Old Testament. David was a man after God's own heart and was very blessed by God. But, David made a mistake. And then to cover up that mistake, he made an even bigger mistake. David's mistake was WAY worse than yours...he impregnated a woman and then KILLED that woman's husband to cover up what he had done. THEN, he kept all of that a secret. One day, though, David's secret was revealed...and he was disgraced. I think you kinda know that the feels like?
David's response was immediate repentance. That is what I saw from you as well. David still had to face consequences. The child that he bore with the married woman, died...and that tore David apart. I imagine right now, you are experiencing a lot of sorrow from your choices. Please know that because of David's repentance and trust in the Lord, he was restored. David became one of the greatest kings of Israel, is immortalized as "a man after God's own heart" and is in the blood line of Jesus. David's sin is not what defines him today; his heart for God is.
I can envision so many great things for your life. I don't have any idea what God's plan for you is, but I pray that you are seeking it...because I am positive that restoration is part of it. God is the restorer of broken walls, and right now I know you are broken. There are so many kids that could benefit from your life, your struggles...and yes, your talent.
I am so very tired of judging people, and even more tired of being judged. I struggle with judging people, I will be the first to admit that. In fact, that is one of the MANY things that the Lord is working with me on. There are a lot of people out there that think they are better than you. I find that simply hilarious. I know it sounds cliche, but Jesus said it so its not only true, but not something to be taken lightly; "He who is without sin, cast the first stone". It is SO hard for me to hear the voice of God over the voice of judgement and condemnation. I can't imagine how difficult that must be for you right now.
So, I am praying for you. I am praying that you will hear the voice of truth speaking to your heart. The voice telling you that you are NOT defined by your actions, nor by what other people think of you. You are defined by your heart. By who rules your heart. There are plenty of people who claim to know you...to know exactly the "kind of person you are". Not a single one of those people knows your heart. "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." ~1 Samuel 16:7.
I have to admit that I am writing this letter just as much for myself as I am for you. See, for me, the reason it is so much easier to hear the condemnation rather than the truth is because I believe the judgements myself. I believe that I am too overweight to ever been truly loved. I believe that mistakes that I have made make it impossible for me to be redeemed. I believe that other people are right and I am not worth much, if anything to this world. I believe the lies. Its so hard not to. That is, until I read the truth. The truth is, I am a treasure. The truth is, I am already loved, worthy and redeemed. The truth is, "Those who look to Him [God] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." ~Psalm 34:5.
Do not be ashamed. You are redeemed. You are worthy. You are loved. Your heart is good, beautiful and pure.
And, if it matters...I am still a Michael Vick fan. Michael Vick the Hokie, Michael Vick the Falcon...Michael Vick the man...and Michael Vick the redeemed.
Sincerely,
Trish ...a Hokie, a woman, a treasure, redeemed and unashamed.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Going Home Today!!!!
I am so excited I can barely stand it! I get to go home tonight!! It turns out that the Hinsons have room in their van for me AND the route they take home just happens to pass about 20 minutes from my parents house. They don't even have to drive out of their way to take me because my mom can pick me up along their route, YAY!!! Plus, I haven't gotten to spend much time with the Hinsons over the last few months and I think a 6ish hour car ride should help make up for that. :) I had hoped to be back on Monday so I wouldn't miss God Squad, but the Hinsons aren't coming back until Tuesday. It still works out great though, I can do my AIM work from my parents house on Monday...and probably get my Tuesday stuff done since I won't be going to God Squad that night. I HATE missing God Squad, but I think this will be the first one in 3 years...so I think they will survive. Plus, I get to spend more time with my family!!! Oh, and I don't have to drive for 7 hours by myself!!!! I thought about flying back on Monday, but the cheapest flight was $140, and it would require my mom to drive me an hour and a half to the Raleigh airport...and then an hour and a half home. That verses a free ride back to Philly with people I REALLY enjoy being around....in the end it was a pretty easy decision. :)
I don't think we have any grand Thanksgiving plans. My family is small with no kids, so Thanksgiving is pretty low key; which I really like. Of course, there is the annual Virginia vs. Virginia Tech game, which will be so great to watch. I can't remember the last time I didn't watch that game with my family. In fact, I think this will be 27 years in a row that I have watched that game, either live or on TV, with my family. How cool is that?!?
Of course, this sudden change of plans means that my house won't be quite as clean as I want it to be before I leave. Actually, its pretty clean, just not perfect. :) I spent all day today running my last minute errands and got everything finished! I got a tire fixed on my car, copies of my house key made (because people keep taking them home with them...Brooke and Rich!), toiletry shopping, picked up the free turkey I earned at Pathmark (that will go to Bonita and Linda for Thanksgiving), and got my blood pressure checked (I continue to defy traditional medicine as I am considered obese yet have none of the complications that are supposed to be associated with my weight...my blood pressure, and everything else, is as healthy as I could possibly be!). Now I have to pack in a hurry and then get ready for Kids Club. I am praying for over 100 kids tonight! Its raining outside, which typically means smaller numbers, so it will be an even bigger deal if we get over 100!
I should be able to update while I am at home, although my parents still have dial up Internet (stone age!, hehe). My friend Joy is taking care of Gizmo while I'm away. She's great because she doesn't just feed him, she spends time with him...which he needs. He freaks out if he's alone for too long. In fact, when I came home he was downstairs on the couch. Now that I am upstairs in my "office", he is sleeping on the bed right next to my desk. He LOVED all the chaos of the weekend because there were always people around to pet him and talk to him (yes, he is a great listener). Oh how weird my cat is! :)
Alright, I'm off for now. Virginia here I come!!!
I don't think we have any grand Thanksgiving plans. My family is small with no kids, so Thanksgiving is pretty low key; which I really like. Of course, there is the annual Virginia vs. Virginia Tech game, which will be so great to watch. I can't remember the last time I didn't watch that game with my family. In fact, I think this will be 27 years in a row that I have watched that game, either live or on TV, with my family. How cool is that?!?
Of course, this sudden change of plans means that my house won't be quite as clean as I want it to be before I leave. Actually, its pretty clean, just not perfect. :) I spent all day today running my last minute errands and got everything finished! I got a tire fixed on my car, copies of my house key made (because people keep taking them home with them...Brooke and Rich!), toiletry shopping, picked up the free turkey I earned at Pathmark (that will go to Bonita and Linda for Thanksgiving), and got my blood pressure checked (I continue to defy traditional medicine as I am considered obese yet have none of the complications that are supposed to be associated with my weight...my blood pressure, and everything else, is as healthy as I could possibly be!). Now I have to pack in a hurry and then get ready for Kids Club. I am praying for over 100 kids tonight! Its raining outside, which typically means smaller numbers, so it will be an even bigger deal if we get over 100!
I should be able to update while I am at home, although my parents still have dial up Internet (stone age!, hehe). My friend Joy is taking care of Gizmo while I'm away. She's great because she doesn't just feed him, she spends time with him...which he needs. He freaks out if he's alone for too long. In fact, when I came home he was downstairs on the couch. Now that I am upstairs in my "office", he is sleeping on the bed right next to my desk. He LOVED all the chaos of the weekend because there were always people around to pet him and talk to him (yes, he is a great listener). Oh how weird my cat is! :)
Alright, I'm off for now. Virginia here I come!!!
Kyler said Trish!!!!!
Today was a very good day full of a lot of good surprises, the greatest of which came when Paxton called me to remind me that I owe him a movie date (which I completely forgot about, but am very excited about!). After I talked to Paxton for a minute, Kyler decided he wanted to talk to me as well (he is 18 months old). He was laughing and giggling and making me smile when I heard Carisa say, "say Trish"...to which he very clearly responded, "Trish!". At first I thought it was Paxton trying to help him say it, but it was in fact Kyler saying my name!! That totally made my day!!! The Hinson kids are top on my list of favorite kids in the world. Unfortunately for me (not for the Hinsons though, haha), Frank and Carisa have a teenager living in their house that is able to help take care of the kids so I don't spend as much time with Kyler as I did with Paxton when he was younger...and I don't spend as much time with Paxton anymore either (which makes me even more excited about our movie date). I still have the goal of someones first word being Trish...but Kyler learning my name will do just fine for now. :)
In other exciting news, the leak in my bathroom is fixed and my washer and dryer are hooked up and working!! The washer has a broken part, but thanks to a metal plate, some duct tape and a strategically placed nail, it works nonetheless. The washer is currently washing everything I own!! Oh, and the pilot light on my furnace is also lit, so I now have heat!! Yay!! Both Franks spent a good amount of time helping me out today and I will never be able to repay them. Frank V. is also coming over later this week to switch my outlets from 2 prong to 3 prong so I can significantly lower the rick of me blowing up my house. Whew! :)
I also got a phone call today from the mother of the person who owes me money and she assured me that a check for the full amount owed to me is on its way to my house. That is a HUGE weight off my shoulders and I am so thankful that I didn't have to actually go to court. She was very nice and apologetic as well, which was a blessing.
It seems like literally almost every single thing I wrote in my blog yesterday was answered today. How good is God?!? I still have scary people and dogs living on my block, but I know God has that under control as well. I am still very excited to go home. I have decided to leave early Wednesday. I think I can still avoid most of the traffic, and I would prefer that to driving until 4 or 5 in the morning. I just got the EZ Pass, so at least I won't get stopped at tolls! :)
In other exciting news, the leak in my bathroom is fixed and my washer and dryer are hooked up and working!! The washer has a broken part, but thanks to a metal plate, some duct tape and a strategically placed nail, it works nonetheless. The washer is currently washing everything I own!! Oh, and the pilot light on my furnace is also lit, so I now have heat!! Yay!! Both Franks spent a good amount of time helping me out today and I will never be able to repay them. Frank V. is also coming over later this week to switch my outlets from 2 prong to 3 prong so I can significantly lower the rick of me blowing up my house. Whew! :)
I also got a phone call today from the mother of the person who owes me money and she assured me that a check for the full amount owed to me is on its way to my house. That is a HUGE weight off my shoulders and I am so thankful that I didn't have to actually go to court. She was very nice and apologetic as well, which was a blessing.
It seems like literally almost every single thing I wrote in my blog yesterday was answered today. How good is God?!? I still have scary people and dogs living on my block, but I know God has that under control as well. I am still very excited to go home. I have decided to leave early Wednesday. I think I can still avoid most of the traffic, and I would prefer that to driving until 4 or 5 in the morning. I just got the EZ Pass, so at least I won't get stopped at tolls! :)
Monday, November 19, 2007
New Ceiling!!!
After a weekend of hard work, here is the new ceiling in my kitchen!!
Beautiful!!! Okay...so its not quite finished. Turns out that the leak in my bathroom was not a simple fix, so that ended up taking up most of their time. Unfortunately, the leak is still there, but it is much smaller than it was and the major work is finished. They also worked on hooking up my washer and dryer. Apparently there were some problems there as well, so the washer is ready to go but not the dryer. I have to admit I am disappointed. Not about the ceiling, cosmetic stuff doesn't really bother me. I know they worked hard, and got a lot done...but nothing was actually finished...and I can't finish any of the things they started. So, unfortunately I have to ask more favors of people here in order to get things done. Thankfully, my friend Frank V. said he could come over and help me. Frank H. worked with my group all weekend and has already put way too much time, effort, energy and money into my house. I am about to wear out my welcome, if I haven't already. :)
My weekend was really fun, but EXHAUSTING!!! My group arrived around 2 a.m. on Friday morning, so I didn't sleep much. Usually Fridays are not busy AIM days, but this Friday was different. I actually ended up working until almost 5. I spent the evening helping get things set up for our church Thanksgiving lunch today and then headed to all night bowling at 11:30. We had a BLAST at bowling, but I didn't get to bed until 6:30 a.m.!!
I took a good nap at my friend Shera's house (there were people working at my house) and woke up feeling a cold coming on. I managed to catch up with the group and spend some good time with them until around 7 when we had a worship night with some of the teens. We didn't have a ton show up, but it was still a good time. After worship a bunch of us went out to eat and I again didn't get to bed until about 2 or 3 in the morning.
Church was good today, but I was so tired. I got home around 3 (after saying good bye to my group) and took a 4 hour nap. It felt SO GOOD!!! I'm still tired, but recovering. I really want to drive home on Tuesday night, so I need to be well rested this week!
It is definitely time for me to go home. To go home and completely be away from Philly. I don't often talk completely honestly about things that go on...but things are really difficult right now. There is a friend of mine that owes me $1500 (he borrowed it over a year ago) and is now refusing to even take my calls much less pay me back...so I am having to pursue legal action against him. I have no idea how to do that...but I have no other options. Several new people have moved onto my block, one of whom is a very serious drug dealer that is also involved in dog fighting. In fact, I was almost attacked by one of his dogs this week. He and his dogs are very scary. Its the first time in 5 years I have been afraid of where I live.
Kids Club has the most kids that we have had in a long time, which is AWESOME, but also overwhelming considering I just started leading Kids Club barely 2 months ago. We are also having more and more girls get involved with our teen ministry. Again...AWESOME, but overwhelming.
Then there's my house, my part-time job, my debt, my lack of support raising...and I won't even go into what goes on in my head throughout the day. :)
I continue to have an AMAZINGLY supportive family, but when things are hard for me, they bear that burden as well. (And vice versa). Sometimes life feels like the 4 of us against the world...which makes living so far away hard. (This does not mean that I have any plans to move!). :)
I don't have an incredibly busy week, other than AIM work and cleaning up the mess from the weekend. I am not looking forward to the drive home, but I am definitely looking forward to being home!!!
Beautiful!!! Okay...so its not quite finished. Turns out that the leak in my bathroom was not a simple fix, so that ended up taking up most of their time. Unfortunately, the leak is still there, but it is much smaller than it was and the major work is finished. They also worked on hooking up my washer and dryer. Apparently there were some problems there as well, so the washer is ready to go but not the dryer. I have to admit I am disappointed. Not about the ceiling, cosmetic stuff doesn't really bother me. I know they worked hard, and got a lot done...but nothing was actually finished...and I can't finish any of the things they started. So, unfortunately I have to ask more favors of people here in order to get things done. Thankfully, my friend Frank V. said he could come over and help me. Frank H. worked with my group all weekend and has already put way too much time, effort, energy and money into my house. I am about to wear out my welcome, if I haven't already. :)My weekend was really fun, but EXHAUSTING!!! My group arrived around 2 a.m. on Friday morning, so I didn't sleep much. Usually Fridays are not busy AIM days, but this Friday was different. I actually ended up working until almost 5. I spent the evening helping get things set up for our church Thanksgiving lunch today and then headed to all night bowling at 11:30. We had a BLAST at bowling, but I didn't get to bed until 6:30 a.m.!!
I took a good nap at my friend Shera's house (there were people working at my house) and woke up feeling a cold coming on. I managed to catch up with the group and spend some good time with them until around 7 when we had a worship night with some of the teens. We didn't have a ton show up, but it was still a good time. After worship a bunch of us went out to eat and I again didn't get to bed until about 2 or 3 in the morning. Church was good today, but I was so tired. I got home around 3 (after saying good bye to my group) and took a 4 hour nap. It felt SO GOOD!!! I'm still tired, but recovering. I really want to drive home on Tuesday night, so I need to be well rested this week!
It is definitely time for me to go home. To go home and completely be away from Philly. I don't often talk completely honestly about things that go on...but things are really difficult right now. There is a friend of mine that owes me $1500 (he borrowed it over a year ago) and is now refusing to even take my calls much less pay me back...so I am having to pursue legal action against him. I have no idea how to do that...but I have no other options. Several new people have moved onto my block, one of whom is a very serious drug dealer that is also involved in dog fighting. In fact, I was almost attacked by one of his dogs this week. He and his dogs are very scary. Its the first time in 5 years I have been afraid of where I live.
Kids Club has the most kids that we have had in a long time, which is AWESOME, but also overwhelming considering I just started leading Kids Club barely 2 months ago. We are also having more and more girls get involved with our teen ministry. Again...AWESOME, but overwhelming.
Then there's my house, my part-time job, my debt, my lack of support raising...and I won't even go into what goes on in my head throughout the day. :)
I continue to have an AMAZINGLY supportive family, but when things are hard for me, they bear that burden as well. (And vice versa). Sometimes life feels like the 4 of us against the world...which makes living so far away hard. (This does not mean that I have any plans to move!). :)
I don't have an incredibly busy week, other than AIM work and cleaning up the mess from the weekend. I am not looking forward to the drive home, but I am definitely looking forward to being home!!!
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