Wednesday, May 13, 2009

True Ministry...

Several weeks ago, God really laid it on my heart that I should be spending less time planning and more time moving, meaning I need to really be outside more with my kids, really truly getting into the core of their lives. That's been happening, sometimes it's good, sometimes it bad and sometimes I've cried until I can't cry anymore tears, each time I've learned something new about myself and about my kids, each time I've been able to relate or guide them to someone who can relate and help them. God has been continuing to pull me out the place of comfort I've found here and send me to edge some days. I've gotten to share hugs, laughter, tears of joy, tears of pain and tears of hurt with my kids and some of their families recently. It's taken it's toll on me, but each time I feel God pull me through and give me the strength to go on, even on the days where I feel like I can't do it anymore. I am so thankful that God pulls me through every time and even more thankful for the people that have been placed in my life to encourage me through the tough times!

The other night we were driving D&D home from MetroKidz and talking about graduation and the future and I let them know that if there were not enough tickets for their graduation I understood, their response was, "Mommy said you're getting a ticket, you're just as much involved in our lives as she is," and then again last night their mom said, "Wow, Ms. Colleen must love you a whole lot to..." It feels so nice to be recognized by a parents, and appreciated, especially after the week I've had with other parents.

Tonight at MetroKidz I am excited to share with the girls some of my personal testimony...and walk with the Lord, I am excited to share with them some of my life...in a more intimate and personal way.

Today I am thanking God for the opportunities he continues to present for us to Shine in Baltimore!

Monday, May 4, 2009

MK Sunday, Nebraska, Love w/out Boundaries and Prom!

I should have updated this a week ago, but I just haven't had the chance to do so! Last weekend was MetroKidz Sunday, my kids (and volunteers) blew me away, people thought we'd rehearsed the morning with our kids, and we didn't they were just that good! Each class shared something, the teens read poems, and shared a letter with Pastor Mike. I was (am) so PROUD of them. That Sunday was probably one of the BEST days in ministry I have ever had, because it didn't just end after service, 16 of our kids, got to experience life outside of the neighborhood that day. A few of them joined several volunteers for lunch at Zella's, most of the girls went home with Pastor Mike and Ms. Karen, one of the boys got to practice driving, one got to go to a volunteers house and hang out and two of them went to the park and for ice cream.

The kids are still talking about how they got to experience life outside of the norm, and how much fun they had. It's such a refreshing thought to know these kids are excited about spending time with us in what's normal for us, but at the same time it breaks my heart to know that the things my friends and I take for granted are such a special treat for these kids. I thank God everyday for blessing me in ways that allow me to serve these kids.

This past Wednesday God blessed us with an amazing team of college students, who were so anxious to serve us. They did such an amazing job, leading worship, sharing their stories and really loving on our kids. Not only did they bless us that night, but they left us with a HUGE gift of sports equipment and fun stuff to enjoy this summer, some cool goodies for the MetroKidz store and some snacks for our kids! They left us feeling encouraged and loved! I can't wait to send them a thank you card, telling them how much they changed our lives this past week!

Over the past couple of weeks, I've felt so much love from my kids, it's sometimes overwhelming in a good way, I've experienced things with these kids that they've never experienced before, I listened to them get excited about Proms, graduations and summer college classes, I've watched three new boys become a part of the our MetroTeenz program and I've watched little kids run down the sidewalk to love me. Yesterday as I was sitting in Pastor Mike's sermon I felt such a burden and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore, one of the teens came over and put their arms around me and just hugged me and told me how much they loved me...being in this ministry and this place where God has called me is not a right or a privilege but an honor. I am so glad that I can love these kids and they love me, I feel like I am the luckiest girl in all the land, when I am surrounded by these kids!

This Friday four of our kids are going to prom! I don't know who is more excited them or me! I am so excited to take pictures, spend the evening taking them out for dessert after prom and seeing them all dolled up! I'll post pictures!!! Promise!

Prayers:
Ms. Karen and Pastor Mike Kidney Swap May 12th
Finances for Summer!
More volunteers for MetroKidz!

Thanks for praying for us!

Photo: Cierra