Well, I have been back in the States for a good three months now and have yet to update my blog with what is going on in my life post-Africa!! A friend asked, "Jen, are you a retired blogger?" and though I was considering hanging up the blogger hat I decided against it and opted for a post with a few updates!
First and foremost-- soon after I arrived home my brother got ENGAGED!! He proposed to his girlfriend at 12:01 on January 1st and they are getting married this summer! The picture you see above is of Amy (his fiancee) and I. It was taken in mid-February when she and her sister drove from their home in Arizona out to Santa Barbara to come and spend time with me. I think my brother is making a great choice and I am excited to have Amy in my life. Yeah!
Other updates... I am now living in Santa Barbara (for those of you who didn't know) and working at a non-profit organization called Casa Pacifica. My job is kinda hard to explain, but I like to try to sum it up by saying that I work with kids who are in crisis situations. I work with a staff of people doing what is called "Therapeutic Behavioral Services" which means that we go to kids homes and try to help them by equipping them with tools. we hope to modify behavior so they can succeed at school and in the home with their families. All of the kids on my caseload have pretty severe "issues" (bad family situations, behavior problems, developmental difficulties, or emotional disturbances) and my job is to meet with them frequently (close to every day) for a period of 6 months to counsel, befriend, guide, and coach them. I am LOVING it and am so thankful for a job in my field of interest (counseling/social work). I am definitely learning a lot an appreciate the experience I am gaining.
I am enjoying living in Santa Barbara (you can see a picture of a sunset above that I took a few weeks ago)! I am getting plugged back in at Ocean Hills Church and have enjoyed reconnecting with friends who are still living in the area. I am living with my awesome friend Michelle who I have known since our freshman year at Westmont and we have been having a lot of fun rollerblading, going to the beach, and having people over to our apartment.
Overall, I am feeling much more settled and stable than I was when I wrote my last entree (thank you, Lord!) I still miss South Africa SO, SO much but the longing and pain is far less intense. I am glad to be back and am thankful for all of the many, many, ways that God has taken care of me and provided for me!
