As Chardinay is now entering her teen years, there is a lot of pressure from her peers and lot of changes that she is experiencing - please pray that she would turn to Jesus to be a light to her peers instead of being negatively influenced by them!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Chardinay's Story
My friend Kara has been mentoring two sisters, Alexius and Chardinay, now 11 and 13. Watch the video to hear what God has done in Chardinay's life.
As Chardinay is now entering her teen years, there is a lot of pressure from her peers and lot of changes that she is experiencing - please pray that she would turn to Jesus to be a light to her peers instead of being negatively influenced by them!
As Chardinay is now entering her teen years, there is a lot of pressure from her peers and lot of changes that she is experiencing - please pray that she would turn to Jesus to be a light to her peers instead of being negatively influenced by them!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A few Silly Poems About Life
Donuts
On Valentine's Day, tried that I might,
the donuts I made did not turn out right.
Crispy on the outside, doughy in the middle-
Frying them right, to me, was a riddle!
Pasta "Party"?
Pasta prepared and house cleaned up nice
Just waiting on people to come add the spice.
Tummy is grumbling, house feeling lonely-
Come quick, so it's not me and the duck only!
Statue (Shout out to Auntie Mouse - I've been playing this recently :)
Running and giggling, I struck a still pose
When my nose was pushed, my body arose
I came alive in a dance from my statuesque role
Will the "buyer" choose me to put on his knoll?
On Valentine's Day, tried that I might,
the donuts I made did not turn out right.
Crispy on the outside, doughy in the middle-
Frying them right, to me, was a riddle!
Pasta "Party"?
Pasta prepared and house cleaned up nice
Just waiting on people to come add the spice.
Tummy is grumbling, house feeling lonely-
Come quick, so it's not me and the duck only!
Statue (Shout out to Auntie Mouse - I've been playing this recently :)
Running and giggling, I struck a still pose
When my nose was pushed, my body arose
I came alive in a dance from my statuesque role
Will the "buyer" choose me to put on his knoll?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Remembering Lidia
For two and a half weeks I had spent most of my time filling out applications for cleaning positions at hotels, barista jobs at Starbucks, super-sizing at McDonald's... I had drove, walked, and gotten lost all over the city of Milwaukee in pursuit of anyone who would hire me for the summer.
With only four and a half weeks left in Milwaukee to work, I was beginning to grow disheartened. I had many people praying for me and cheering me on. I also had a new energy and purpose after realizing that God didn't want me to work for Him, He wanted to work through me. There was a reason I hadn't gotten a job yet... I just didn't know what that reason was and my faith was beginning to falter.
Then, my two friends who I had been job-searching with, were hired! I was so excited for them... but I still wanted (and needed) a job! One of the staff members who had been cheering me on called her cousin on a long shot... maybe she would be willing to hire me on as a temp?
I met with Aimee, the staff member's cousin and Milwaukee temp placement agent, to fill out paperwork at Starbucks and learn that I would begin working for a fulfillment company in New Berlin the next day. Apparently I was hired... just like that!
My first day... I was nervous, but so grateful. Good wages, full-time hours. It was a bit of a drive, but I had a job.
When I arrived, I was told that I would be shadowing Carmen... but she was late. I would have to work with Lidia until Carmen could work with me.
I was brought over to a group of tables, with boxes grouped all around it. I was introduced to Lidia by the manager, and was told that I would be a "packer," while Lidia did the "picking." The manager showed me how to pack a couple of boxes, then left me alone to figure out the rest. Um, what? You can bet that I was praying like crazy that God would help me to do this job and learn it quickly!
I tried to ask Lidia a few questions, but she gave short answers. She seemed upset... probably because the new girl had been pushed on her and would slow her down. I felt bad, but also intimidated that her English did not seem to be that great.
After about an hour (where I'm sure I spent more time looking helpless and lost than actually being productive), Carmen arrived. Lidia stepped over to her table and there was a quick, loud exchange of Spanish. I didn't really know what was going on, but I ended up staying with Lidia for the rest of the day. Throughout the day, I kept trying to ask Lidia questions to get to know her better, as I figured I might be working with her often. To my surprise, she offered up something to me that I did not expect. She told me, "My daughters are about your age and they do not respect me. I get so angry with them."
Ohh, I was so excited to be done with my first day! I was mentally exhausted by learning a new job - figuring out how to pack different items from infomercials into boxes to be shipped to customers - physically exhausted from bending, lifting, and standing for 7 hours, and emotionally exhausted from the spiritually dark work environment that I had entered. Stepping out the door and finding my car was a welcome sight! I sped back to tell my friend Andrea all that had happened. What a day!
In the days and weeks to come, I did work more with Lidia and prayed to make the most of my opportunities with her. I learned about her family and asked her to help me learn Spanish. I could tell that she was warming up to me, and appreciated that I was learning my job quickly at the same time.
We began to have spiritual conversations as we worked. When I asked her what she thought about God, she told me, "I don't think about God." She had grown up going to church with her mother, but her mother died when she was young and she stopped going. Her sister-in-law had tried to take her to church, but it seemed too emotional for her. Everyone screamed and fell down, but she didn't feel anything. There were rules that they wanted her to follow, but she did not want to be forced into anything.
Oh, my heart ached for Lidia to know the God who created her and loved her! One day, I mentioned to Lidia that I used to be an angry kid. She was shocked - she tried to convince me that it couldn't be true. I began to tell her my story of how Jesus had showed me the hurt that my anger was bringing and that He was the one who began to change my heart. He began to soften me and fill me with His love. Her face showed amazement. I told her that God wanted to take her anger, too. He was offering her forgiveness and unfailing love. I asked Lidia to consider this offer.
At the end of the week, I gave Lidia a small booklet that explained the gospel. I was so nervous, yet I knew it was not up to me to change her heart. The next week, I asked Lidia what she thought of the booklet. She told me "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever read." She told me that she had prayed to trust Jesus as her Lord and Savior! I was so excited!! Lidia was now my sister in Christ! We had known each other for just two and a half short weeks, but I had seen Lidia come from death unto life.
Two and a half weeks I had searched and prayed for a job, and God provided!
Two and a half weeks I had prayed for boldness in sharing the gospel with Lidia and for her salvation, and God provided!
In the week and a half that followed, which was all I had left of my job for the summer, I shared with Lidia about what was now true of her in Christ. We dreamed of heaven together, and laughed over my terrible Spanish together. It was such a sweet time!
Since then, I've seen Lidia twice. She thanked me so much for bringing joy and love to her life. I had the chance to meet one of her daughters and her grandson.
It's been over 3 years now since I've seen or heard from Lidia... she has probably moved - perhaps back to Mexico. But I cannot stop thinking about her life and praying for her impact for God's kingdom. I can't wait to see Lidia in heaven and hear all that God did through her in her life!
Looking back, I am so amazed that God would have used me - a 19 year old college student, quiet and meek - to reach a 43 year old Hispanic woman, reserved and apathetic toward God. I love thinking back on all of the conversations that I had with Lidia - and with the other people who worked at that factory. I wonder at how God wove the fabrics of our lives together. I pray that God may continue to multiply my life and Lidia's life! I love to remember Lidia. Her memory always brings me to worship Jesus again.
With only four and a half weeks left in Milwaukee to work, I was beginning to grow disheartened. I had many people praying for me and cheering me on. I also had a new energy and purpose after realizing that God didn't want me to work for Him, He wanted to work through me. There was a reason I hadn't gotten a job yet... I just didn't know what that reason was and my faith was beginning to falter.
Then, my two friends who I had been job-searching with, were hired! I was so excited for them... but I still wanted (and needed) a job! One of the staff members who had been cheering me on called her cousin on a long shot... maybe she would be willing to hire me on as a temp?
I met with Aimee, the staff member's cousin and Milwaukee temp placement agent, to fill out paperwork at Starbucks and learn that I would begin working for a fulfillment company in New Berlin the next day. Apparently I was hired... just like that!
My first day... I was nervous, but so grateful. Good wages, full-time hours. It was a bit of a drive, but I had a job.
When I arrived, I was told that I would be shadowing Carmen... but she was late. I would have to work with Lidia until Carmen could work with me.
I was brought over to a group of tables, with boxes grouped all around it. I was introduced to Lidia by the manager, and was told that I would be a "packer," while Lidia did the "picking." The manager showed me how to pack a couple of boxes, then left me alone to figure out the rest. Um, what? You can bet that I was praying like crazy that God would help me to do this job and learn it quickly!
I tried to ask Lidia a few questions, but she gave short answers. She seemed upset... probably because the new girl had been pushed on her and would slow her down. I felt bad, but also intimidated that her English did not seem to be that great.
After about an hour (where I'm sure I spent more time looking helpless and lost than actually being productive), Carmen arrived. Lidia stepped over to her table and there was a quick, loud exchange of Spanish. I didn't really know what was going on, but I ended up staying with Lidia for the rest of the day. Throughout the day, I kept trying to ask Lidia questions to get to know her better, as I figured I might be working with her often. To my surprise, she offered up something to me that I did not expect. She told me, "My daughters are about your age and they do not respect me. I get so angry with them."
Ohh, I was so excited to be done with my first day! I was mentally exhausted by learning a new job - figuring out how to pack different items from infomercials into boxes to be shipped to customers - physically exhausted from bending, lifting, and standing for 7 hours, and emotionally exhausted from the spiritually dark work environment that I had entered. Stepping out the door and finding my car was a welcome sight! I sped back to tell my friend Andrea all that had happened. What a day!
In the days and weeks to come, I did work more with Lidia and prayed to make the most of my opportunities with her. I learned about her family and asked her to help me learn Spanish. I could tell that she was warming up to me, and appreciated that I was learning my job quickly at the same time.
We began to have spiritual conversations as we worked. When I asked her what she thought about God, she told me, "I don't think about God." She had grown up going to church with her mother, but her mother died when she was young and she stopped going. Her sister-in-law had tried to take her to church, but it seemed too emotional for her. Everyone screamed and fell down, but she didn't feel anything. There were rules that they wanted her to follow, but she did not want to be forced into anything.
Oh, my heart ached for Lidia to know the God who created her and loved her! One day, I mentioned to Lidia that I used to be an angry kid. She was shocked - she tried to convince me that it couldn't be true. I began to tell her my story of how Jesus had showed me the hurt that my anger was bringing and that He was the one who began to change my heart. He began to soften me and fill me with His love. Her face showed amazement. I told her that God wanted to take her anger, too. He was offering her forgiveness and unfailing love. I asked Lidia to consider this offer.
At the end of the week, I gave Lidia a small booklet that explained the gospel. I was so nervous, yet I knew it was not up to me to change her heart. The next week, I asked Lidia what she thought of the booklet. She told me "it was the most beautiful thing I've ever read." She told me that she had prayed to trust Jesus as her Lord and Savior! I was so excited!! Lidia was now my sister in Christ! We had known each other for just two and a half short weeks, but I had seen Lidia come from death unto life.
Two and a half weeks I had searched and prayed for a job, and God provided!
Two and a half weeks I had prayed for boldness in sharing the gospel with Lidia and for her salvation, and God provided!
In the week and a half that followed, which was all I had left of my job for the summer, I shared with Lidia about what was now true of her in Christ. We dreamed of heaven together, and laughed over my terrible Spanish together. It was such a sweet time!
Since then, I've seen Lidia twice. She thanked me so much for bringing joy and love to her life. I had the chance to meet one of her daughters and her grandson.
It's been over 3 years now since I've seen or heard from Lidia... she has probably moved - perhaps back to Mexico. But I cannot stop thinking about her life and praying for her impact for God's kingdom. I can't wait to see Lidia in heaven and hear all that God did through her in her life!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Winter Collage
I'm very fond of writing in rhyme, so let me share with you how I've been spending my time:
Cheering for the Pack at a Monday night game, the Vikings sure lost - and that's not a shame!
Boxes of Love came and went in a flash- with our church partners, we made quite a splash
Spending time with my friends in so many ways, from coffee to cooking and to Christmas plays
There's probably more I could add to this post, but keeping things simple is what I value most :)
Cheering for the Pack at a Monday night game, the Vikings sure lost - and that's not a shame!
Boxes of Love came and went in a flash- with our church partners, we made quite a splash
Spending time with my friends in so many ways, from coffee to cooking and to Christmas plays
There's probably more I could add to this post, but keeping things simple is what I value most :)
 |
| At the game with some of my team: Jeff & Sarah, Kara, Me |
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| I taught an evangelism training at Boxes of Love for our ministry partners |
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| Kara and Tang are not only part of the HLIC staff team, they are also my roomies! |
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| Our photographer cued us for different emotions... this was tired. |
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| Scared... although, Tang looks a little too happy to be scared :) |
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| Keepin' it real in the hood. |
Life Light Up - HLIC Mission and Vision
Check out this slideshow that I put together to describe the ministry of Here's Life Inner City. It gives a great picture of what we're all about!
Life Light Up - HLIC Mission and Vision
Life Light Up - HLIC Mission and Vision
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Hope Changes Everything
This past Friday night, over 80 people gathered for a night of fellowship and encouragement to hear what God is doing through the ministry of Here's Life Inner City and our partner ministries in Milwaukee. It was an awesome evening filled with testimonies of how lives have been changed by the hope that Jesus brings. We also presented our financial needs for the coming year and saw the Lord provide.
Thank you for your prayers!
I worked on putting together a video slideshow of the mission and vision of our ministries that we played at the event, but unfortunately it's not working for me to load it to this site. We're working on putting it up on our website, so once that is complete, I'll attach a link so that you may enjoy it. :)
In the meantime... just because I love pictures and don't think a post is complete without them, here are some recent pics with my niece, Julia, and nephew, Ben. (I told Ben to be silly... this is what I got.)
Thank you for your prayers!
I worked on putting together a video slideshow of the mission and vision of our ministries that we played at the event, but unfortunately it's not working for me to load it to this site. We're working on putting it up on our website, so once that is complete, I'll attach a link so that you may enjoy it. :)
In the meantime... just because I love pictures and don't think a post is complete without them, here are some recent pics with my niece, Julia, and nephew, Ben. (I told Ben to be silly... this is what I got.)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Enjoying Fall!
I am totally loving fall! There have been some exciting things happening here - including my dear friend Andrea, who is on my staff team, having her twins in late September! They've been in the NICU and I still have yet to see them in person, but I hope to meet them next week when they come home... Lord willing! A week before baby boy (SD) and baby girl (EG) came into the world, a group of ladies came together to shower Andrea with lots of gifts, fun, and love.
I've also been enjoying getting into a "normal" schedule and having time to bond with my roomies and other friends. Above is my friend Kara who is also my roommate and my trainer. She gets to spend a lot of time with me, so it's good that we get along. :)
Our team is small and is really more of a family, so I get the privilege of spending a lot of time with my director's kids. HB is a little 3.5 year old cutie and has 3 brothers, so she eats up the time that she gets to spend with girl friends. She likes to tell me, "you're my friend a lot." Totally adorable! And of course, her mama is wrapped around her little finger. Sarah has been such an encouragement to me through the transition to this team and a new season of life. I'm so blessed to be among such awesome people!
Another fun part of my fall has been spending time with some friends that I originally met in Milwaukee during our summer missions project. We all moved to Milwaukee this year. Shira (left in red) and Emily (right in red) are serving with CityYear, a branch of Americorps, to work as tutors and mentors in inner city schools. Their roommate, Courtney (far left), is student teaching in Milwaukee. We've been enjoying the fall by cheering on the Packers together and going pumpkin picking.This past weekend, I went with Kara to her hometown of Montello, where we visited with her parents and I was able to see many friends from Madison who were at a Christian camp there for Cru's fall retreat. It was such a fun and refreshing weekend - especially seeing all the beautiful fall colors! ...and of course, the famous Granite Falls in Montello. :)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Getting Here
It's interesting to me that I now live in Milwaukee and feel totally at home here. Growing up, I used to play for a soccer club that would often require travel to the Milwaukee area. My parents probably drove me to Milwaukee at least every other weekend - if not every weekend. At that age, I didn't really know where I was, though, and now realize that we traveled to many suburbs of Milwaukee (specifically I remember Cedarburg, Brookfield, and Delafield)... but I was hardly ever in the city.
I wish I had pictures from those years on my computer... my team was the Middleton Fire. We had some of the ugliest jerseys imaginable - yellow and blue in kind of a checkered pattern. Okay, maybe there are worse... but none are coming to mind.
My senior year of high school, I had a friend who went to Marquette University whom I visited several times throughout the year. It's funny to me now that I was literally blocks away from the office I now work in - in a neighborhood that she had warned me to stay away from.
I continued to travel to Milwaukee for soccer throughout high school. At the end of my senior year, my varsity soccer team went to the state tournament at Uihlein Stadium and we won first place. The year before, I had broken my nose at that tournament and we wound up 4th. I was glad to have ended high school on a better note.
As a freshman in college, I began to visit my boyfriend at UW-Milwaukee monthly... the drive from Madison became very familiar and I grew very excited at seeing landmarks like Miller Park and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd that told me I was getting close to his apartment. I remember driving up and down Oakland Ave quite often, and even spending several cold hours in my car outside of Noodles, listening to Fernando Ortego over and over while I waited for him to get out of class.
But after he transferred to Madison our sophomore year, the visits to Milwaukee stopped.
For whatever reason, though, God brought me back the summer after my sophomore year to experience one of the most impactful, memorable, and cherished seasons of my life. That was the beginning of my experience with Here's Life Inner City and a group of people who lived out the gospel like I had never seen before.
Fast forward through countless visits back for fun, for volunteering, for comfort, for truth and grace... and here I am. So different than when I first came, yet struggling with some of the same things. So similar to when I first came, and yet seeing how much deeper and sweeter my ties not only to Milwaukee have become, but also to my friends here and to the truth of the gospel. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to be in this city and to learn. I have so much to learn!
I wish I had pictures from those years on my computer... my team was the Middleton Fire. We had some of the ugliest jerseys imaginable - yellow and blue in kind of a checkered pattern. Okay, maybe there are worse... but none are coming to mind.
My senior year of high school, I had a friend who went to Marquette University whom I visited several times throughout the year. It's funny to me now that I was literally blocks away from the office I now work in - in a neighborhood that she had warned me to stay away from.
I continued to travel to Milwaukee for soccer throughout high school. At the end of my senior year, my varsity soccer team went to the state tournament at Uihlein Stadium and we won first place. The year before, I had broken my nose at that tournament and we wound up 4th. I was glad to have ended high school on a better note.
As a freshman in college, I began to visit my boyfriend at UW-Milwaukee monthly... the drive from Madison became very familiar and I grew very excited at seeing landmarks like Miller Park and Martin Luther King Jr Blvd that told me I was getting close to his apartment. I remember driving up and down Oakland Ave quite often, and even spending several cold hours in my car outside of Noodles, listening to Fernando Ortego over and over while I waited for him to get out of class.
But after he transferred to Madison our sophomore year, the visits to Milwaukee stopped.
For whatever reason, though, God brought me back the summer after my sophomore year to experience one of the most impactful, memorable, and cherished seasons of my life. That was the beginning of my experience with Here's Life Inner City and a group of people who lived out the gospel like I had never seen before.
Fast forward through countless visits back for fun, for volunteering, for comfort, for truth and grace... and here I am. So different than when I first came, yet struggling with some of the same things. So similar to when I first came, and yet seeing how much deeper and sweeter my ties not only to Milwaukee have become, but also to my friends here and to the truth of the gospel. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to be in this city and to learn. I have so much to learn!