Friday, April 13, 2012

life

“life is not easy for any of us. but what of that? we must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. we must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

that's where I belong...

Today was one of those days that was just great.  So much happened and there would just be so much to say but I want to focus it somewhat.  I will say that I seriously had the best time with my co-workers at Wellspring today and think they are some of the most fun people.

The point of this post, however, is about a graduation.  More like a double graduation actually.  I mean that we had a girl graduate not only the Victory program, but also she received her high school diploma!  Yes, not her GED, but her high school diploma!  What a freakin accomplishment (and in her own words she is the first person in her mothers family to get a high school education)!!  I truly love all the girls but it makes it all the more special when it's one of my girls graduating.  I have had 3 girls graduate the program and it really never gets old, they are just as special each time.  The day started out with her high school graduation in the chapel where she received her diploma, and that was followed by lunch and her graduation from the program.

If I had to choose a "best part" of the whole day, it would definitely be her speech.  She was not wordy but to the point, but also very open about her gratitude for absolutely everything and everyone who got her to where she is today.  This girl is 18 with her whole life in front of her and more 'stuff' in her past than so many people I know and to see how far she has come in the last 7 months just blows me away.  Blows me away I tell you!  Let's just say she was not filled with gratitude months ago.  Side note:  A preconceived notion I had before starting at Wellspring was that these girls who are victims of exploitation are sweet little girls who have been taken advantage of.  While that is partly true, they are also teenagers who have been used over and over again.  This definitely causes trust issues, anger, resentment, frustration, fear....I could go on.

So there were days I met with this particular girl and she walked out of therapy slamming the door, days where she cussed, not at me but to me about how unfair her whole life is, days where she refused to stay in session and she went and laid on the couch, days where she refused to talk and just stared at me, days where she said she didn't care about anyone or anything but herself...you get what I'm saying.  In this girl's defense, she had a right to be upset, angry, and resentful.  You know what else this girl had though was determination, strength, and a mighty severe reverence for the Lord.  And you know what changed all of the above mentioned negative stuff was the Lord, the real change agent at work in these girls lives.  It really never ceases to amaze me what kind of turn around can come in their hearts, and I get to witness that.  I witnessed it today as that beautiful young woman stood up to give her speech and thanked all those around her who were there for her, but mostly thanked the Lord for his provision in her life.  Who am I that I got to be a part of this girls life and share in that experience.  It really is just super humbling.  The end.    

Monday, April 9, 2012

too good


So I really have the best friends ever, who are supportive, precious, and loving.  Two such amazing friends wrote to me last night (whilst I was trying to finish writing a pesky paper) and I just wanted to highlight them.


From my dearest blond liz; good luck; you are awesome and will dominate and are sooooo close to finishing its not even funny!! and jesus rose today so there is LIFE and he will provide ALL that is needed for this paper ! you are his daughter who he wants to help and you are soo good and smart and pretty and kind and have a great heart!!!! and jeezy will do great things through you!! MOTIVATION!!!! KICK IT!!!!
BOOM TIME!!!

From my sweet lil pep; I think you just have to recognize that this is the reality of where you're at. It's normal and to be expected. You know that you're ALMOST there and these last few papers don't matter THAT much in the big scheme of things so it would be easy to blow them off. But that being said...you also know that you just have to get them done. In whatever fashion you can. Allow yourself to walk away and play...but just get it done.

My professor talked today about grieving the loss of connections and friendships with the forthcoming graduation;  well I don't want to grieve or say goodbye, this just a continuation in a different way of relating.  I'll be done with school, and just have to be willing to make the effort to spend time with these people who I have adventured with for the last 2 years.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

In the gap

"Augustine of Hippo's understanding of the Christian faith; that human nature is fallen, wounded, and frail, standing in need of the healing and restoring grace of God.  The church, according to Augustine, is rather to be compared to a hospital than to a club of healthy people.  It is a place of healing for people who know that they stand in need of forgiveness and renewal.  The Christian life is a process of being healed from sin, rather than a life of sinlessness, as if the cure were completed and the patient restored to full health.  The church is an infirmary for the sick and for the convalescents.  It is only in heaven that we will finally be righteous and healthy."


<3

Friday, April 6, 2012

Freedom for all...

There were two blog posts this week by Wellspring that I just loved.  Yes, one of them was about me and my experience with getting to share my time in India with the girls, which is just a big ::sigh::

The other post though, was written by my supervisor and the clinical director at the girls home, and a woman who I admire in so many ways.  I can't express more than just sharing these two blog posts right now because I have yet to even process this whole experience for myself, and definitely am not able to adequately express it in words.  I wanted to post them anyway, and it just seemed fitting to do it on Good Friday.  It is easy to get wrapped up in ourselves with regard to Easter and how Jesus died for us (which is obviously true).  However, in thinking about these girls, I also whole heartedly know he died for them, and the girls in India, and the girls all over the world who are in in the grips of slavery.  Too good.