Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A catch up on spring and summer :)

Oh hi blog.
So, it should be noted that I'm really terrible at consistently updating this thing.
I mean, here I am and I've hosted through the spring and the summer and I haven't blogged once since March.
That isn't due to a lack of things to blog about...if anything, there are too many things to blog about.
I realized I haven't really written anything down about my experiences in Philadelphia, aside from in a handful of emails, so I thought I'd try to blog about some things.
Basically, working in Philadelphia is one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced. Maybe the most beautiful thing, period. It's really difficult to put into words the way it makes me feel. Living in Philadelphia, working there, loving on people...it feels so natural.
It's so weird for me to think that I live in Philadelphia now, and I'm living out my dream. Perhaps it is a silly dream to have, but I am so thankful I've been given this opportunity. It's weird that I know my way around one of the largest cities in the country. It's weird that I like some ethnic food now. And it's weird that I feel so settled in and cozy when I'm in Philly. I think it has almost become home.
Spending the spring and the summer hosting was honestly amazing. I enjoyed it so much, and it has had such a positive impact on my life. I went into hosting feeling pretty timid and scared, and even though I still felt unsure of myself a majority of the time, by the end of the summer I felt like I had gained a lot of confidence.
I've started thinking about things I've never thought of before...or, at least not in the same light as I used to.
I've met amazing people, from all different walks of life, and I've been blessed so so so SO much. I've had some of the best conversations ever, just sitting on the parkway chatting with people who sleep on the streets. I've been given countless hugs from kids from several different after school programs/summer camps that are being run throughout the city. Ah, summer camps. I love kids. They bring joy to me that I can't describe. I feel like kids give you a glimpse at the most important things in life. Whether they're excited to find a seashell in the ground close to their play area, or they want to give you a picture they colored, or they see your camera and want to take a lot of pictures with you...it's just...it's amazing how they love on people, even if they've been hurt. Even if they've had it rough. It's not about being vulnerable to them. It's about living life, and doing what makes them happy. Something like that.
I've been showered with wisdom from the people who run the different ministry sites that we work with. I love to listen to their stories, even if I hear them every time I bring a group to work with them. I admire how much dedication they have, how much they love their work and the people they work with. How it isn't so much a job to them, but a passion.
Ms. Chris is a teacher, mentor, and friend at one of the after school programs/summer camps that we work with. I cannot get enough of her. She has so much compassion in her, so much energy, and such a light-hearted spirit about her. Coming into an urban after school program/summer camp, it can be shocking. More often than not, things are run a lot differently than what you may consider the "norm." Things are typically a bit more like organized chaos and you may see communication between teacher and student that you haven't seen before. But, that doesn't mean it's wrong. It's actually a really beautiful thing to watch unfold. Watching the interactions in the after school programs and summer camps that we work with has actually taught me a lot. With Ms. Chris specifically, her love for the kids is SO evident. She strives to motivate them and to push them to follow their dreams. The program she works for is located in the middle of five projects. She grew up in the general area, and she knows what it's like. She knows they need someone to push them and she knows they need some tough love. And that's what she does. She pushes them. She loves them. She believes in them. And it's absolutely beautiful.
I could honestly go on and on about the people I've met. Tony or Roy or Country or Jeff or Ms. Sharon or Gerry or John or Donna or Dhani or Spiderman or CJ or Moose...the list goes on and on.
I wrote a blog entry about Tom...I actually ran into Tom again during summer training! It was good to see him. From what he told me, he'd been in the hospital after some punks shot him in the leg. It was really heartbreaking, but he still seemed to be optimistic. We got him some water ice and he told us about how he was taking good care of his leg. I wasn't back around where he hangs out any other time this summer, but I think one of the other summer hosts bumped into him. Maybe I'll cross paths with him again...he's always a blessing.
This summer was especially amazing in the sense that I had 5 amazing roomies. They were great. We went on adventures together, and I liked being with them. It sucks not being around them now. But, I know God is using them where they are at, and I know we'll always have this summer...and that will keep us binded together, in one way or another. It made the experience that much more enjoyable, having people to enjoy it with. People to talk to about the joys and the frustrations that are all involved in working in urban missions. I can't tell you how much God has blessed me.
Ah...and my groups! Let me tell you...I have felt so spoiled. Because not only do I get blessed by all of our ministry site partners and the people I meet at them, but I also get blessed with groups! I love working with youth. Sometimes, they wear ya out, but it's in the best way possible. I don't know...I've just really enjoyed getting to hang out with different youth groups from all over the country (and Canada, too!) Watching them grow over the week, hearing the way they are processing their experiences. Getting to have conversations with them, create inside jokes, and hey, maybe even make some sort of impact on them. Not to mention the impact they make on me. These groups have really helped me find pieces of myself that I didn't know I had. They've helped stretch me and watching them challenge themselves has helped me challenge myself.
I'm going to go visit one of my groups next week. It's a surprise (so hopefully none of them read this blog...i don't think they do.) I'm really pumped about it. I'm looking into visiting another group this fall.
Speaking of this fall....I THINK IT IS FINALLY HERE.
Seriously. I stepped outside yesterday morning and was like "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I seriously love fall. It is my favorite season ever. (And here is where the country girl in me comes out.) I love how the farmers start combining the fields, and it is almost like a fresh start. Their hard work has paid off and they've reaped what they sowed. But now, the fields are empty. It is their time for rest. At least for some. Some may soon be graced by a crop of winter wheat or something like that. But for others, it is time to watch the seasons pass until it is time to start again. They're putting tobacco up in the barns and the fires are being lit and man, I can't tell ya how much I love stepping out on my front porch to the smell of tobacco being fired in the barn just down the road. I find the smell of tobacco barns so comforting. And the stars! The stars seem to be that little bit brighter as the days grow shorter. They seem to twinkle a little longer. Maybe that's just me, but I think the stars shine the brightest in the fall and winter. Fall also means chillin in jeans and hoodies, two of my favorite things. It means hot apple cider or hot chocolate. It means bonfires. It means Thanksgiving. It means the leaves changing colors. I don't know...fall just seems like a huge transitional time to me. I'm not sure if that means a lot of sense. I might just be rambling.
So, for now, I'm in Kentucky, enjoying the fall-like weather and trying to rest up as I continue to process the things I've experienced and the lessons I've learned. I'm also preparing for something new though! In October, I head back to Philadelphia...not as a city host, but as an apprentice! I'm excited for this next chapter. Nervous, too. Man...things have just...they've come right along since February. Who knew that when I got on that plane at the end of January that I'd be staying in Philadelphia for so long? Who knew I'd learn so much and grow and just...really settle in? Really soak it up? I suppose God did, and I can't thank Him enough for continuing to present me with all of these amazing opportunities. For molding me. For making my roots grow deeper and my wings spread farther. I know I've said it a lot...but, really...I'm blessed.
Here's to more learning and growing!