The Aquarium!

For my birthday I took Ameria to the Georgia Aquarium (one of the world's largest!) As we walked in to the aquarium, Ameria's face lit up. I am pretty sure we shared the same level of excitement, and I have been looking forward to this day ever since I arrived in Atlanta.

On my birthday I was able to share my privilege with a friend I care deeply for. I don't know if Ameria will have another chance to experience the aquarium. As we walked around every few seconds I would hear from Ameria, "Ms. Katherine take a picture of this!" "Ms. Katherine take a picture of me!" We saw jellies, beluga whales, manna rays, whale sharks, eels, beautiful coral, octopus, shrimp, and sea otters among many animals I've never heard of. My camera died half way through our time, because I took so many photos. (check out my facebook page to see them all).

Enjoy the video and commentary below. And if you ever visit Atlanta, make the aquarium part of your experience.

Mary shares her life.

I have been working on a school project with Mary at S.A.Y. Yes! Part of her assignment was to write about her background. Mary gave me permission to share the story she wrote about her life.

"My name is Ameria Kitchen. I am 12 years old and am in the 7^th grade. My birthday is June 30, 1998 that’s the year I was born. I have 6 sisters and 2 brothers. My brother Carlos went here [Kennedy Middle School] last year. I like having fun and being nice. I love my family and my friends. I want to take good care of my family. I have a mom and her name is Mary Kitchen, and my dad’s name is Horace, and he doesn’t have the same name as us. It is a long story.

My mom and dad always fight and I cry, because kids don’t want their mom and dad to fight so that makes me sad. I am always home. I don’t go anywhere because we don’t have a car, and that is hard for us.

I don't have lots of friends, and I am by myself. It is hard to not have friends, but I have my two grandmas, and my family, and my best friend Ms. Katherine that love me."

I became teary eyed after I read what Ameria wrote. I am thankful to be a friend and mentor in her life. I blessed by the life-giving relationship we have. My heart also mourns and breaks for Ameria. I have so many people in my life who love, pray, and care for me daily. Ameria only has a few. My deepest longing and prayer for Ameria is for her to know our Lord's love and delight. Join me in this prayer.

Jesus Loves the Little Children.

At church this last Sunday we sang the song, "Indescribable" The chorus as I'm sure most of you are familiar with goes like this:

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Later Sunday afternoon, Jarrod showed up at my door. As he worked on our Harry Potter puzzle he began to sing this song. The words are a bit off, but to hear him worship God in this sweet and pure way was a gift to my heart.

As I sat and listened to Jarrod sing I couldn't help but think of the passage in Mark.

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Springtime Jesus

I'd like to share a poem that has meant a lot to me these past weeks. I think it is a perfect time to share it as we have entered into spring season.

Springtime Jesus

You, Springtime Jesus,
just as I'd settled down for winter,
you broke into my heart
and danced your love right across it
in a mad excess of giving.
Just as I'd got comfortable
with bare branches and unfeeling,
just as my world was neatly black and white,
there you were,
kicking up flowers
all over the place.
Springtime Jesus,
I tried to find a way to tell you
that there were places
where you could or could not dance.
I wanted to guide you on my paths
and have you sign the visitors' book;
but you laughed right through my words
and sang to me your melting song,
causing sap to fire the branches,
causing the flames of buds
to flicker into green bonfires,
causing a windquake of blossom,
causing burstings, searings, breakings,
causing growth-pain,
causing life.

Springtime Jesus,
the fullness of life can be frightening
and I'm lacking in courage.
It isn't easy to live with a heart
that's wide open to invasion.
Teach me, Jesus, how to move with you,
step for step, in you love dance.
Touch my fears with your melting song.
Gift me with your laughter,
and, in the mystery of your Springtime,
show me the truth of the blossoming Cross.

I love this poem. I am so thankful God has broken into my heart, even into the places I try to seal off tightly. Mission Year has been a growing year for me, and parts have been really painful. But all of this growth has made me more alive.

A Time of Trials...A Time of Growth....A Time of Hope.

It was Thursday morning. A week before I would fly home for Spring Break. Three of my team members decided to leave Mission Year, Tyler and I, our neighborhood, and our church.

The decisions were sudden, unexpected, and hurtful. So many people were hurt by these actions. While my teammates were enjoying the comforts of home with friends and family, Tyler and I picked up the broken pieces. I sat with a good friend and neighbor on our couch and comforted him through his sobs. I told the kids they tutored goodbye for them. I watched how their absences affected church members, neighbors, kids, and other Mission Year teams and staff members.

Anger, pain, and hurt have been a big part of my life these last weeks, but I have also found a lot of hope.

I cling onto God's faithfulness and love. I find hope in the fact that these attributes never change. They are constant as we live through difficult and joyful journeys.

I also find hope in my greater community. I have been so encouraged and supported by the people who attend New Life Covenant. They helped Tyler and I pull off our fundraiser ( a huge success! More details to come). In the midst of the brokenness in my teams community, our church family demonstrates what true community is.

I've been thinking a lot about what life is going to look like when I return to Atlanta. It will be completely different from what I have known. Life with two people looks totally different. Our activities, outreach, hospitality meals, and evenings in will be unlike the last two trimesters.

No more Settlers of Catan, floor pillow fights with Josh, team dance parties after trainings, squishing in the back seat of the car, meals shared together, walks to the corner store to buy

sunflower seeds and Arizona's, or being told I look like a peacock. These are bittersweet memories for me right now as I mourn the loss of my teammates.

I am still grieving. I am still hurt, and at times angry.

I also have a lot of hope. Change is hard, but it can be oh so beautiful. We will find a new rhythm to life. Relationships will continue to grow deeper, more memories will be made, and summer is on the horizon.

This is the last picture our team took together before Janelle, Josh, and Colyn decided to leave.

Laughter

“A smile starts on the lips, A grin spreads to the eyes, A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, Overflows, and bubbles all around" Carolyn Birmingham.

I was looking through some old photos that were taken at Twin Rocks. I came across a series of laughing pictures that were taken. As I looked through them my heart was encouraged.

Laughter is so sweet. Laughter can be healing. Laughter creates memories that are reminisced about for years. Laughter makes me feel alive. May you find joy and laughter in your day.

Spring is Here!

We celebrated the first day of spring by going out to Rita's for some free ice-cream! We were able to bring Mary and Jarrod along with us (Jarrod was visiting for the weekend). It was a great afternoon spent with friends. Small outings like these are memories I will treasure.