Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! I love saying that. This is one of the most wonderful times of year for me. I love having a time set aside to celebrate the birth of my Savior, and to enjoy the things I have. I love putting up lights and Christmas trees...it makes the atmosphere brighter and more cheerful. I love relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends. I know our world wants to take Christ out of Christmas, but I think to do that you would have to get rid of Christmas all together or Christmas would be pointless.

I am considering this my Christmas letter for the year. Since I am flying home for Christmas, I am trying to spend less money on other things and I decided not to send out a Christmas letter by mail but instead by blog.

For anyone who has been reading my blogs, you will remember that this past year or so has been full of ups and downs. When I came to Nebraska, my dad had just gotten out of the hospital after being very sick. It was my first time being that far away from family and friends, and I was starting a job I had no idea how to do. Since coming to Nebraska, I have had teenagers yell at me, call me names, swear at me, threaten me, and even hit me. I have had one girl run away, and two leave unsuccessfully. After working my first seven months with the same gal, I had to get use to working with someone new as well as learn the summer program and run a cottage full of teenage girls. In August, my cousin Willy passed away to be with his eternal Father, and I was able to go for his funeral and see family I had not been able to see in a long while. I have even started getting gray hairs...which has made me understand how parents start graying after they have children...I just thought they made that up. ;-) I have been stretched in ways I never imagined...and yet through it all I can say with a joyful heart that God is good! I have learned and grown in ways I wouldn't have had I stayed home, and I am starting to feel like I have more direction in my life. I am so thankful for this opportunity and that I listened and followed God's leading.

However, I believe that my time here will soon come to an end. I am trying to figure out what to do next. I have been thinking about finishing school and would like to continue working with youth, but maybe in a different way than a group home. Please keep me in your prayers as I try to figure out what God wants me to do next, and when it will be time for me to leave Nebraska. Thank you for supporting me through prayers, words of encouragement, phone calls, visits, and even money. You all have been a huge blessing in my life and I really appreciate everything! I hope and pray that this Christmas season will be filled with joy and many blessings for you and your families.

giving thanks with a greatful heart...

Lately, I have been thinking over the last year, and all that has happened. As I do this, I can't help but be thankful for so many things. I figured since Thanksgiving is coming up I would spend some time sharing the things I am thankful for. This will not be my entire list, but a highlight and they are not in any particular order.

I'm thankful for:

~my dad getting better

~having a supportive family

~a job I have learned from

~extended family...and the laptop they gave me and the prayers, encouragement, and money

~friends I can stay in touch with

~a phone so I can stay in touch with everyone back home

~all the letters/visits/phone calls I have received from family, friends, and church family

~planes...so I can go home for Christmas!

~a loving, gracious, merciful Savior

~my health

~having a chance to encourage, help, love, and share God with teens

I know for me, I tend to take things for granted after a while. Moving this far from home and reminded me how thankful I am for so many different things. Working with these teens has also made me realize that sometimes, I have a lot more to be thankful for than they do. I've grown up with a family that loves me and have some amazing friends. A lot of these youth don't have even that. Please keep them in your prayers as the holidays come up. This tends to be a really hard time for them. Some have families to go back to and some don't. I enjoy trying to make the holidays a special time for the youth who have no family to celebrate with. For Thanksgiving Day, everyone that is not on visits gets together to have dinner and hang out. This year we might even get to play Guitar Hero. ;-)

I hope and pray that anyone who reads this, has many things to be thankful for. It's so easy to let the hard/negative things take precedent, and we forget all that God has done for us. God is control, and He knows our needs before we know them. I'm so thankful He is the one in control and not me.

The youth are already into their second quarter of the school year. Most of them are doing very well in school, and there is usually one or two that struggle. I would ask that you would pray for one girl in particular...she has been refusing to go to her first two classes and has come up with every excuse not to go. She is failing a couple classes, and is having a lot of issues in the cottage. She has been the the system for a large amount of her life, and has a lot of things to deal with. Please pray that she will be placed where she will get the best care. A lot of these kids struggle with seeing God as good. With all the bad stuff they have had to deal with in their lives, they have a hard time understanding that God does love them and to trust Him. Please pray that seeds will be planted in their hearts and that someday they will understand and give their hearts and lives to God.

Thank you for your prayers. They are so appreciated and needed. Please don't stop praying!

some fall pictures...

Lord, help me...

With October just around the corner, I am taking the time to look back at the year I have spent in Nebraska. It has been stretching, trying, stressful, rewarding, and a time of growth. This job is definitly a lot harder than I ever imagined. The Lord is good and faithful. But please don't stop praying. I am finding this year point to be about the most trying time for me. Working here has opened my eyes to many lies these youth believe, and in turn I have found that I believe. I am currently finding myself struggling with quite a few personal things, as well as trying to help these kids. I'm getting in the way, and I am finding I have lost my focus. Instead of focusing on God and these kids, my focus has turned to me. I'm not sure when this happened, but now that I realize it I am struggling with turning it back to the Lord. Please pray that the Lord will reveal the lies I have believed and help me to replace it with Truth. I feel I can't give these kids what they need because of myself. I don't know if this makes sense, but please pray that God will become my focus again...that I will lean on Him and rely on Him each and every day! Thank you for your support through your prayers, encouragments, and sometimes even money. They are all very much appreciated and remind me how I am not alone. Blessings!

1 Peter 1:13-16, 22-25

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and

being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the

grace that will be brought to you at the revelation

of Jesus Christ.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the

passions of your former ignorance, but as he who

called you is holy, you also be holy in all your

conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy".

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one

another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but

of imperishable,

through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all it's glory like the

flower of the grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains

forever."

And this word is the good news that was

preached to you.

when it rains, it floods...literally

On facebook, I've mentioned my room flooding yesterday and several people have wondered how it happened. So, I figured I'd write about it on my blog to give you the whole story. I woke up around 6am on Wednesday morning to a big thunderstorm. It started raining really hard, but I didn't think anything of it. I dozed off until my alarm went off at 6:30am. As I'm laying in bed I realize it sounds like there is running water in my room. I turn on my lamp and look towards my window, figuring that would be where the water would come in. The windowsill is dry, so I look down at the floor. There was water spreading from the wall to my bed. I got up, made sure my blanket wasn't touching the floor, and tried to figure out where the water was coming from. Just above the baseboard, the paint on the wall was bubbling out and there was a steady stream of water flowing into my room. I spent the next 20 minutes getting towels to soak up water, and moving everything that was on the floor to my bed or the laundry room. At 7am, the water was just reaching my bedroom door and starting to spill into the hallway (it had already flooded our little bathroom that seperates the two bedrooms). By this time, the rain outside had lighten up and water stopped running into my room. My carpet was soaked and there was a thin layer of water on top. I had to ask the girls to give me their towels so I could soak up water and keep it from going into the other bedroom. I did not get to take a shower and as the girls got ready for school, I was trying to decide how I was going to get the water out of my room. After we dropped the kids off at school and had our team meeting, my coworker and I borrowed a shop vacuum and a dehumidifier from Grace's shop. Two other coworkers came over with extra towels, and we started ringing out the soaked towels and putting the dry ones day (which were soaked right away). We then started vacuuming up water. We spent a couple hours taking turns vacuuming and rining out towels and moving furniture out of the room. We probably removed a 10 gallons of water from the room, and even after that the carpet still felt soaked. We'd walk around and have water pool around our feet. We got a couple fans and got those going and took a break for lunch. After that it was a matter of waiting for the floor to dry. When it was time for bed last night, the carpet was still pretty wet so I had to sleep on the couch downstairs. This morning the carpet is much drying...in certain areas. It smells, but I'm hoping that once everything is dry the smell will go away. This has been a very interesting experience, and I hope I don't have to go through it again for a long time.

pain...and the grace of God

Since my last blog, I went to California for my cousins funeral. I was able to see my aunt and grandma in Fresno who I haven't seen for almost three years. It was a blessing to be with family, and a blessing to attend an amazing memorial service. I believe God was truly glorified through it. I have since returned to to Nebraska and worked a seven day shift, had two days off, and I am on duty again for six days.

Today, I will be going to the doctor to figure out some health problems. I have a thyroid problem that I've had since high school, and until recently I was taking a natural medication for. Apparently, pharmacies aren't carrying it anymore and I'm seeing the doctor to figure out what to do. I am also seeing her for my headaches. As many of you know, I have had to deal with headaches a good chunk of my life. As I get older, they seem to be getting worse. A few years ago I had a CAT scan and a MRI, and neither of them turned up anything. Please pray that something will turn up or they will have a solution or something to help my headaches.

As I've thought over the many times I've struggled with pain (physical and emotionally), I can't help but thank God for His grace and peace. Some of my pain isn't gone, but He has been faithful and has continued to walk beside me and comfort me. In Sunday school yesterday we talked about God's grace and what does it look like in our personal lives. I can honestly say that I would not be here if it wasn't for God's grace and love. His grace and love have given me a hope...a light at the end of the tunnel if you will. No matter what happens to me or what I go through, there is always that hope of knowing I have a Savior who loves me enough He wants me to spend the rest of my life and eternity with Him. I struggle so much with so many things, but He still loves me. Working with these girls has taught me so much about myself and the extent that God would go to reveal Himself to these teens. They feel so hopeless, and I hurt for them because they don't have the hope I have. My prayer is that one day, whether it's when I'm here or years later, these girls will experience God's grace and love...which in turn will give them hope for something better. There have been many times when I have shared God's love and grace with the girls, and later realize I needed the reminder as well. God's work isn't finished in me, and His work isn't finished at Grace Childrens Home. Pray the staff will be encouraged and reminded of how much God loves them and how much He loves these kids. Pray the staff (including myself) will be encouraging and uplifting to the kids, and Christ's love will shine through up on a regular basis. Pray I will spend time in the Word and with God on a daily basis so that I can be Christ-like example to the girls. Thank you for all your support through encouragement and prayers. They are very much appreciated and needed! Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

it's still raining...

Sometimes when life seems to calm down it starts raining again. I don't know why I keep thinking things will get easier when I know as a Christ follower things won't be easy. As some of you know, my cousin Willy is not doing very well. He has Kearns-Sayre disease, and has lived long past what is normal for someone with K.S. disease. He doesn't have very long to live. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Pray for peace and comfort and that God will be glorified through it all.
In other news, I have committed to staying in Nebraska longer than my original year. I'm not exactly sure how long I will be here, but I just don't think it's time for me to go yet. It has been a tough year, but I have learned so many things and grown in my relationship with Christ in ways I never would have had I stayed at home. There are many unknowns for me, but I have faith that Christ will lead me where I need to go. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. They are very much appreciated! But please keep praying.

my weakness...His strength...

I'm not sure where to begin. I feel like I have a million thoughts going through my head at the same time. I am writing this after a long day of work. Somehow I have managed to turn into the "mean" staff over the last few months. I have the gift of being able to get the girls angry at me with just a few words. I was told (jokingly) I get a raise every time that happens...which is at least once a day....so I should be very rich by the end of the summer. ;-) I'm having a hard time seeing the possibility of things getting better any time soon. I'm becoming a more strict, tough person and I don't always like that, and there are times I don't think I can do it any more. As I've been thinking over the last couple months, I keep thinking of the verse that talks about God's strength being made perfect in my weakness. I am being reminded almost every day that I can't do it on my own. There are days when the girls say some really mean, nasty stuff to me and I have a hard time brushing it off. There are days when I don't think I'm fit for this job, and there are days when I feel like a huge failure. In each and every one of these situations I can choose to listen to the lies or choose to lean on my Father's strength and truth. Let me tell you, sometimes it seems like it would be easier to listen to the lies, but then Someone will remind me how much I'm loved and that no matter what He will always be there for me. This is a daily struggle for me, and I ask that you will continue to pray for me. This job is testing me in ways I never thought of, and I'm finding myself weary and overwhelmed. I have been asked to stay on another year. I haven't given an answer yet. I think I'm too chicken to give an anwer yet. I don't want to say yes now and change my mind later. But that's what faith is, saying yes without knowing the outcome. Please pray that I will be filled with peace, compassion, and love. Pray that I will seek the Lord each and every day, and to look to Him for my strength for each and every day. Pray that I will not feel too homesick, and that I will have peace about my family. I wrote my bio grandmother again, and received another letter from her. It wasn't quite emotional as the first letter, but it brings up a lot of questions and unknowns for me. I'm not sure when I should contact my bio mother or even my bio sister who doesn't know she's my sister. I don't know what they think about me being adopted and all that surrounded that part of my life. Please keep praying about this. This is really weird for me. I have a family, but now I'm trying to get to know my biological family and I don't know how close I want to get to them. I love my adoptive family so much, and I am not seeking to replace them. I guess I'm just looking for answers to questions I've had all my life, and the possibility of telling my bio mother that I forgive her, and maybe getting to know my older half sister. My mom has talked about life being like rollarcoaster, and that is exactly how my life feels right now. God is so amazing in His love for me, and for the sacrifice He made by sending His Son to take our place on the cross. I definitely would not be the person I am today without Him in my life. As I'm reminding myself of these truths, I hope this encourages you to remember how much stronger God is. Nothing is impossible for Him, and with His help we can do anything. Nothing in this world will love you or walk alongside you or help you the way our heavenly Father does.

tough times and fun times

I can't believe it's July already. Time goes by so fast sometimes. There have been a lot of changes in the last month and a lot of challanges. I am now the primary careworker in the house I work at. This last shift was my first full shift with my new coworker. It was a very tough shift...because of the girls. However, Saturday was an amazing day. The first day in a long time that none of the girls got in trouble. Hopefully it won't be the last. :-) Yesterday I went water skiing again and finally got up. That was exciting for me. It took three different days to finally be able to get up, but I can water ski!

At the end of the summer we will be going on a 62 mile bike ride (31 miles each way) to a camp called Timberlake. We will spend three days there as a fun retreat before the kids go back to school. We also spend a lot of time swimming, working outside, and hanging out. It's important to keep them busy...it helps keep the problems at bay. :-)

I was able to go home for a visit this month. It was so nice to see family and friends again. But weird to say I was only visiting. The suprise party that I planned for my parents went very well. There were about 35 people there, and my parents were very surprised. They received $940 as an anniversary gift, and have already booked their vacation. Thank you to everyone who came and who gave money. They are very excited about going on a nice vacation. I think I'm more at peace about living in Nebraska for the time being. I continue to learn and be stretched, as well as struggle. It's hard to not let what the girls say to me when their mad get to me. But it's a good way to remind myself that who I am in Christ is more important. A couple months ago I met with a friend, and he reminded me that God doesn't need me to get something done. Some times I get so caught up in what I need to do or can do, that I think things won't happen if I don't do them. Forgetting that I am just a tool that God uses. I'm having to remind myself that it's not about me, but about God and the girls I work with.

Please keep praying for me and the staff and the kids. It's been a tough few months. Please pray that I will have the energy and compassion and understanding. Pray that Christ will become real and personal to these kids, and that they will see who Christ is through the staff. Thanks for your support and encouragment!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,and all that is within me,bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity,who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit,who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousnessand justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious,slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide,nor will he keep his anger forever.

He does not deal with us according to our sins,nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west,so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children,so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass;he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenantand remember to do his commandments.

The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the Lord, O you his angels,you mighty ones who do his word,obeying the voice of his word!

Bless the Lord, all his hosts,his ministers, who do his will!

Bless the Lord, all his works,in all places of his dominion.Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Psalm 103

Tears, Dreams, Fears, and Hope....

I'm not really sure where to begin. Things just don't happen the way you think they will.

As you all know, I came to Nebraska not long after my dad got out of the hospital. It has been a daily struggle for me to not be with my family with all that has been going on, but then that's how God tends to teach me the most. Family means a lot to me, and to not be there supporting them and helping them is very hard for me. God never said it would be easy to follow Him, and I am being reminded of that each and every day. I would like to share Psalm 25 (it's long).

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love, remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steafast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt for it is great. Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Consider how many are my foes,and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you." (ESV)

God is faithful and He will never leave me. I am finding that every day I have to remind myself to turn to Him for strength and wisdom. I have been here for over six months and I am feeling very worn out mind, body, and soul. As I write this, my body is trying to get over bronchitis. This is the fourth time I have been sick in the last two months, and almost every time I have been on duty. I could use a long spiritual retreat as well as a physical one. However, I know that God is here with me and will help me as long as I am willing to turn to Him. There have been some very difficult days, and as I am getting ready for bed I realize that I didn't give it over to God. I haven't been covering myself, my coworkers, the kids, and this organization in prayer. For our battle is not against flesh and blood. I feel as though I have failed in that area, and God has been convicting me to spend more time with Him and turning to Him in those difficult times/circumstances. Why is that so hard to do?

I have also been struggling emotionally with some personal things. For those that don't know, I am adopted. I was adopted when I was six years old, though I lived with my adopted parents for the two years before that. I have an older half sister that was adopted by our biological grandparents. I always knew I had a sister growing up, and I knew that I would one day want to find her and reconnect. About a month ago, I wrote a letter to my bio grandparents telling them I would like to have contact with them and my sister. A week ago, I received a letter from my bio grandmother. She was very excited to hear from me and would like to stay in contact. As for my older sister, she told me that she is now twenty seven, married, and has three young children. I was so excited to hear this because it means I'm an aunt!!! Which has always been one of my dreams. Then came the bad news, they never told my sister she was adopted. She thinks she is my aunt...not my sister. I don't think I can tell you well enough in words how much this hurts me. I think the last time I cried that hard was when my dad wasn't doing well in the hospital. My bio grandmother also asked me not to say anything to my sister...I can still get in touch with her, but I can't tell her what relation I am to her. Please be praying for me. This journey is far from over. I still have to decide if and when I would want to get in touch with my sister, and if I want to get in touch with my bio mother again. This will be a very emotional and trying time. I'm glad I have gotten in touch with my bio grandmother, but it will be a long process to get to know her and possibly other family members. I know this is pretty personal, but I would like your prayers and this is part of who I am.

On my parents' blog I shared a song called "Praise You in the Storm". This song has been running through my head again. I want to share part of it with you because this is what I believe and know to be true.

"I was sure by know, God, You would have reached down, and wipped my tears away...stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say Amen, and it's still raining. As the thunder rolls, I hear You whisper through the rain, I am with you. And as Your mercy falls, I lift my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands. For You are who You are, no matter where I am. And every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand. You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm.

I lift my eyes unto the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

My, how time does fly....

It has been almost 6 months since I moved out here. Craziness! Work has been somewhat stressful lately. This last shift was the first shift that has gone smooth in a long time. I am only working with three girls right now, but we will be getting some new girls soon. I think I'm getting sick for the third time in two months. I've had to work off and on during my three days off because one of the couples that works here had their baby Sunday night. I haven't been able to sleep in at all during my three days off. However, the extra work is good because I am going home for a visit in June for 9 days. Since I don't have vacation days yet, working extra is a way to cover those days I'll be gone.

A week ago I went to a two day conference in Omaha for an Adoption conference. It was very good, but somewhat emotional...which I wasn't expecting. Now my boss wants me to do a training on the stuff they talked about there. I'm not sure where to begin.

I got to experience my first tornado storm while I was in Omaha. That was crazy and exciting. There were a couple tornadoes that hit down in a couple towns right outside Omaha. It was so windy, with thunder and lightning and rain. the storm lasted about 1 1/2 hours in the evening.

The school year ends in about a month and a half. Then we start all our fun summer activities which includes water skiing. I'm looking forward to having some fun and getting some sun this summer. :-) I'm also looking forward to going home for a visit in June. Yay!

The last couple months has been hard for me. I've been really homesick, and as some of you know our family dog hurt herself and there was talk of putting her down. I've also been struggling with spending time in the Word daily, and just feeling quite alone. I'm doing pretty good now, but it is hard being away from family and friends. I wouldn't want to give up this experience for anything. I have been learning so much about myself and about working with teens. Thank you for supporting me and praying for me. I really appreciate it!

Wow, it has been a busy three weeks. I had a 10 day shift, and things are just crazy at the cottage right now. We got two new girls, and one of them is very high maintenance. I have never been so tired in mind, body, or spirit.

The Friday before Valentine's Day it snowed and school was canceled. So I had the girls all day. We did a lot of shoveling! One of my coworkers got a hold of a four wheeler and pulled a sled behind it and gave the kids rides....and I even got one. It was so much fun! Valentine's Day was fun for the girls and I. We played in the snow in the morning, and then they spent the afternoon doing their hair, nails, and getting dressed up. I spent the afternoon decorating upstairs and putting together a nice dinner for them. It turned out so well, and they said they had fun. We then watched "While You Where Sleeping" to end the night.

Please be praying for these girls. Some of them have little or no hope, and my coworker and I are continually trying to show them and teach them that there is hope and that God is good. Several of them have had a very rough life up till now. Pray that their hearts and minds will be open to God and His love for them. They are having a hard time understanding/dealing with God being loving and good when they've gone through so many hard/bad situations. Pray that my coworker and I will continue to love them and see them as God does. Pray that He will give us the wisdom to understand them and to know how to teach/deal with the situations that arise.

Please continue to pray for me. As many of you know, my dad is still having health issues, and it is hard being so far away. Pray that I will be at peace and continue to trust God with everything.

Well, I've had a fun and busy last few days. Thursday night my coworker, me, and our two girls had fun making fun videos and dressing up funky. Then Friday night the other girl's cottage came over and we played catchaphrase, made funnelcakes, and watched a movie. Then, Saturday night our cottage and the other girl's cottage got together and went bowling...and what made it even more fun is we dressed up as superheros. We all created our own superheros and created useless powers. I was Nature Girl and I could talk to trees. Yesterday we spent most of the day reading, which was really nice. Then this morning I got up at 5am to get ready to go to a Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol in Lincoln. There are several bills in the house right now that have to do with youth and families. This breakfast was a chance for those of us who work with youth and families to talk with the senators about these bills and how they could affect us. I met three different senators, and I also met some people that work with other group homes. There is also a Foster Youth Council and they had a few kids there to represent the council. It was a really cool experience. I'm really tired, but I'm glad I went.

Now I have two more days off, then I go back on duty. We get another new girl on wednesday so we will have a total of three girls in the cottage I work in.

I'm wanting to do a good bible study....and I could use some suggestions. If any of you know a good study please let me know. Thanks!

Please continue to pray for me, and that I'll be a Christ-like example to those around me. It's hard sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for your support and prayers! They mean a lot to me!

Well, my last shift was a bit crazy. My coworker took a vacation last week, so I had the opportunity to learn a lot. We got a new girl at our cottage on Wednesday, and then Friday night we discharged two girls...who were sisters. When a new kid comes they go on intake for a week or two, and that's when we have to keep a close eye on them and teach them how things run at Grace. Then with discharging kids, we have to make sure they take all of their stuff, all the paperwork is done, and all their meds are filled and go home with them. I was really tired by the time I went on my break. I've had a nice relaxing break, and am ready to go back on duty...and there are only two girls at the cottage right now. Should be a pretty easy week.
The weather here goes all over the place. We've had some really cold days, some snow, and some nice warmer days. We have wind about every other day.
I have been here for three months now. It's kind of crazy, because I feel like I haven't been here that long but at the same time feeling like I've been here longer. I have no regrets about coming out here, but I do miss everyone back home. God has definitly brought me far, and He is amazing and wonderful. Thank you for being supportive and praying for me. Please keep praying!

Psalm 66:1-12, 16-20

"Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name, give to him glorious praise! Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you, they sing praises to your name.' Come and see what God has done; he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations--let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his priase be heard, who has kept our sould among the living and has not let our feet slip. for you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!"