FUN IN WASHINGTON-- and other updates...



It has been a long time since my last post! So much has happened since then that it really seems silly to try to recap. I will hit some highlights from these past 9 months!
1) A fun trip with close girl friends to Washington! In November we traveled to the Northwest to visit a close friend living in Olympia. We enjoyed rain (of course!) as well as crisp fall weather and colorful leaves falling to the ground. We had quality time catching up in coffee shops, and even paid a visit to the very first Starbucks. The highlight of the trip was connecting with girls that I cherish and being able to reminisce about the past, enjoy the present, and dream about what the future might hold. All of the pictures below are from our time in Washington.
2) I started graduate school in the fall, and embarked on the first steps of my journey in becoming an M.F.T. (Marriage and Family Therapist-- which is admittedly a bit funny since I am not married and definitely don't have children! haha!)
3) I moved to a house on the mesa! I am living with two friends from Westmont and enjoying a more spacious living situation (I have my own room!) and closer proximity to my favorite surfing spot! My new address is 409 Flora Vista Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. 93109.
4) I am continuing to enjoy my job, tennis, surfing, beach volleyball, hanging out with friends, and walking on the beach. I love what I am learning in school about humans -- our brain functioning-- which influences thoughts, feelings, tendencies, and behaviors. So interesting! I also really enjoy being a part of Ocean Hills Church.

A little of this, a little of that!


Above is a picture of my ideal morning scene. I got an espresso machine a while back and have really been enjoying a nice latte in the mornings (in my Starbucks mug, of course) and some quiet moments to just be still and think, pray, question, read, and dream. Sometimes we get fresh flowers from the local farmers market that really brighten up our apartment. I am really enjoying living in Santa Barbara. I appreciate the beauty of this city and all there is to see and do. Even more, however, I enjoy the people here-- old friends, new friends, families, and co-workers. I have loved the chance to get outside for a tennis match, a morning surf, a beach volleyball game, or the weekly, organized, 5-k run at the beach that draws over 100 people (last week a man running with a stroller full of three hefty triplets breezed past me mid-race! Needless to say, that was motivation enough to pick up the pace!! Giddy-up cowgirl!!)

The Bahamas! A few months ago a family that I know invited me to join them on a trip to the Bahamas to help watch their two little girls (ages 2 and 5). Above is a picture of the little 2 year old, Lucy. It was a business trip for the parents and so they needed someone to be with the girls while they were at meetings and corporate dinners. They twisted and twisted my arm until I finally agreed go (okay, okay I guess that is not how it actually happened-- I really didn't need that much convincing!) It was a week full of beach time, warm tropical weather, palm trees, fruity drinks, great food AND a crying 2-year-old, poopy diapers, more spills than I could have dreamed of, handfuls of spaghetti thrown at me, and morning wake-up calls at 6 a.m. (not from the hotel front desk, mind you, but from the cutie in the bed next to me yelling "potty time, Jen!!! I have to go potty!!!" :-) I am so glad that I went on the "vacation", but at the end of the week concluded that I am not quite ready for this whole "mom" thing. It's hard work!! I called my mom as soon as I got off the the plane in Santa Barbara and THANKED her profusely for raising me loving me in spite of the messes, crying, spills, and...did I mention MESSES?! Thanks Mom! :-)

Above is a photo of me with two of my co-workers at a recent "girls night out". I really love my job! Not only do I have many co-workers who I like, but I also have three clients (ages 5, 11, and 14) who I enjoy spending time with. Every day is different and has it's own set of drama and challenges. I like it that way-- keeps me on my toes! Most of my client's are working on goals revolving around anger management, school-attendance, and household compliance. My job is to meet with them daily and provide tools to help them reach their goals. We provide sticker tracking charts and incentives for good behavior as well as lots of praise and encouragement for making good choices. Many of my days are filled with conversations about coping skills, self-soothing techniques, triggers, and feeling identification. I have come to really value the relationships that are developing and am encouraged by the change and growth that I see (however slow and gradual it may be sometimes).
So, that is a little snipit about what I have been up to and how I have been doing. I want to hear from YOU soon! :-)
* Here are some thoughts/subjects that have been on my mind that I hope to write about in upcoming entrees (and get your feedback on)

1) living in community
2) what it means to thirst for "living water"
3) grad school?
4) our global responsibility

What's Happening Now?!

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!

TOUGH TRANSITIONS...

From teaching kids how to swim in the hot, South African, summer, sun...



... to Colorado's "HOLIDAY BLIZZARD 2006"



This past week and a half have been hard for me. I left South Africa a week ago, Tuesday, and after about 26 hours of flying arrived back in my home state of Colorado. I was truly so excited to see family and friends again, and be in the comfort of "home", but I haven't been able to shake this pervading sadness. So much changed in my life in just one day (where I live, the people I spend time with, my job, my physical surroundings, the weather, how I spend my time, and the food that I eat). I am trying to get my feet on the ground and figure out how I fit back into this American culture that I have been so removed from. The truth is, I am mostly just sad. I am sad that I had to leave and say goodbye to the kids that I love so much (and a country that I love so much). It isn't that I am not excited to be home, or excited to spend time with my friends and family (who I also love so much), it is just that I am mourning the loss of what was. Change is hard for me, I think. Perhaps it is hard for all of us. So, I am trusting God and leaning on Him. I have peace about my decision to leave South Africa and come back home-- I know the timing is right. However, the transition is still hard. Some things have been pretty exciting though-- like the recent snow storm, or shall I say, BLIZZARD!
Let me share with you a bit about what is being called the "Holiday Blizzard of 2006"...



The top picture you see is of the door to our back yard (which my mom very carefully opened in order to take the photo). Two days ago it started snowing, and snowing, and snowing, and snowing! The wind was blowing quite strongly and soon the blizzard warnings were in effect for most of the state of Colorado. The snow kept falling and only late yesterday did it finally stop (but only after close to three feet of snow had fallen)! Above is a photo of Dad and I after our attempt at trying to clear away the thick blanket of snow that covered our driveway.




The airport soon closed down (with close to 5,000 holiday travelers stuck inside for the night). The governor called in the National Guard and the Red Cross for assistance. By the end of the night all the highways were officially closed down. This is a picture of our house taken from our back yard!




This is a picture of one of the doors to the outside of the house after all the snow had fallen. Don't think we will be going out that door anytime soon. As of yesterday the blizzard warnings had been lifted and the roads were beginning to be cleared. However, all the malls were shut down yesterday, as well as schools, the postal service, government offices, restaurants, and most other businesses. We were quite literally "snowed in" which made a great excuse to stay in pajama's all day, eat soup, and spend time watching old family videos!

It feels a lot more like Christmas here in Colorado, but I still miss sunny South Africa and the all of the precious kids there from Orphan Support Group. Please keep them all in your prayers as Christmas can be a sad and lonely time (reminding them of what they do not have). Thank you!

Love,
Jen (from snowy Colorado!)

p.s. Please also pray for stranded travelers who have had to spend two nights sleeping on the airport floor in Denver waiting for flights out of town.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL-- Angels of God Summer Camp 2006



The following are some pictures of this year's summer orphan camp, which was held at the new farm! It was such a wonderful week full of great teaching (thanks to Dennis Wadley as well as Mama Lulu, Babalwa, and Refiloe), art, crafts, ping-pong, volleyball, jumping on the trampoline, swimming lessons, free time in the pool, a talent show (the talent coming from all of the kids!), horse back riding lessons, and a visit from Santa Claus on the last morning of camp. Each of the children received a new soccer ball from Santa as well as Christmas cards with personalized letters from people in the States which were particularly meaningful to the kids. I really enjoyed spending time with the girls in my cabin, who ranged in age from about 8-11. My favorite times were at night when we all retired to our rooms and I got to tell the girls stories, laugh with them, and go to their beds-- one by one-- to tuck them in and give them a goodnight kiss. Many special memories were created at camp-- for campers and leaders alike. I will never forget moments worshipping with the kids, beading necklaces with them, throwing a ball around outside while waiting for dinner, splashing around in the pool with excited swimmers, seeing the kids play with their new soccer balls, and helping them create Christmas crafts and ornaments to give to loved ones. Thank you for all of your prayers during this week of camp. Lives were truly changed and I believe the kids (and the leaders) left with a greater understanding of just how much God loves them. Many of the kids also came to know and truly believe during this week of camp that God wants the best for them and has great plans for their lives.



This is a photo of two of the older girls working on making beaded slinky bracelets. Notice the camp T-shirts they are wearing!



This is Ben, a Bridges of Hope co-worker of mine, with a group of kids shortly after Santa had visited their rooms. The World Cup soccer tournament is being hosted by South Africa in 2010 so a case of "soccer fever" is spreading like wild fire throughout the South African youth!



Some of the younger kids enjoying time spent jumping on the tramp!




This is Anita, one of the youngest (and newest) girls in the Angels Of God orphan support group. She was in my cabin group and I really enjoyed the chance to spend a lot of time with her and get to know her better.



This is Dennis Wadley taking a group of guys on a ride through the farm on the 4-wheeler (it is amazing how many kids can fit on the back of that trailer!!)