i have 7 minutes until i need to meet for kid's club.
things are pretty crazy around here...not that they ever weren't...
this past weekend we (13 of us) went to Colorado Springs and stayed in a cabin rented for us by one of the girl's parents...amazing!!!!
we went to the Air Force Academy (!!!) and i got to see my friend Liz Wood...she's interning at the C&MA National office...pretty sweet....
we just hung out and enjoyed the quietness of the mountains and their beauty...the next day we did a hike and some bouldering....it was crazy! not something i would normally do...a bit on the dangerous side...the bouldering that is...but it was definitely an adrenaline rush climbing up and down huge rocks...probably my favorite hike so far...
tonight we have a cop and an EMT coming to speak to the kids...should be pretty exciting for at least two little boys who both want to be "poleeece cops" when they grow up...hahaha...
tomorrow it's back to the Springs for an all intern paid trip to Pike's Peak and Garden of the God's....we leave at 7am...sweet! no. but i'm excited to be 14,110 feet in the air...
well...time to go...i plan on post tons of pics soon....just to catch y'all up visually...be on the look out!
About Me
- Dani
- "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." James 1:26 (The Message)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
4
4 lightening strikes in the last 2 minutes. crazy! i'm loving it.
That's one thing that's amazing about Denver...it's so flat here that you watch the storms off in the distance...pretty sweet!
well it's been a crazy week and a half since my last post...
last week we took some kids kayaking, to the zoo, and to a downtown carnival...talk about exhausting...but so worth it.
The kayaking event was in Golden, CO...so we made Golden Tickets for nine lucky children! They had a blast! I had so much fun watching them learn and then take off! No worries though they were on a pond...across the street from a river where pro kayakers were doing tricks on a class II rapid....sweet! the kids all wanted to try....hahahaa no.
This particular trip was interesting because I was able to view my kids inlight of the other "normal" kids who came for the kayaking lessons...there was also food provided and our kids if they didn't eat it they wanted to take it home with them...B left with 5 apples, 3 burritos, 2 honeybuns, and 1 giant jug of Picante salsa...kind of funny...but sad to realize that most of these kids know a life that questioned where the next meal was coming from...
The Zoo. 21 kids. 3 leaders. 1 migraine. My group was decent...except for the one guy who would not stay with me...or the group. ever. But they loved the animals and especially the monkeys. I wonder why? We got the tickets donated and brought snacks and water...that way the parents didn't have to pay...but it was hard not being able to give the kids rides on the trains or ice cream or souvenirs...but at least they got to go right?
The SAY Yes! (a mentoring program) carnival. 9 kids. 6 leaders. 0 migraine. I hung out with K. He is a 4 year old that speaks very clearly and knows exactly what he wants. and he has a mullet. haha. He got his whole face painted like spiderman. "Hi! Did you know that I'm Spiderman?!?!?!" and he got a sword balloon animal. "Ya! Hi-Ya!" Right next to the carnival was a McDonald's...we got all the kids sundaes...ha. ha. ha. talk about hilarious when 3 year old G tries to eat with a spoon and it goes everywhere...
This past weekend we went to Estes Park on Sunday...so far I have only been to the foothills apparently. Because Sunday...talk about humongous snow capped mountains...beautiful...
Then comes this week. This week has been one thing after another.
One family is leaving. One family might be kicked out. One family's dad is hoping to join the New Life Program (NLP). Today we had to bring a social worker in. it's just been crazy...full of those little details that I can't talk about....suffice it to say that it's been hectic and prayer would be greatly appreciated.
For one of my specialized experienes for my internship...I got to do the New Family Orientation. AMAZING. Favorite thing so far. I went to the whole thing...it begins with the STAR Case Managment and then to the Facility Director and then to the STAR Youth Program. My supervisor wants me to do the orientation the rest of the summer! I'm excited. Basically I present a ton of mandated paperwork to the families with kids...This week the crossing got 4 new Families with kids....so we have 14 new kids at the crossing! woo hoo..
well Panera is closing...hahaha.
bye
p.s. the most totally amazing thing ever also happened this week.........my roommate Kaila got me a gallon jug of fresh brewed Sweet Tea!!! amazing huh? I'd been talking about how much i missed it...and she surprised me!!!! loves her!
That's one thing that's amazing about Denver...it's so flat here that you watch the storms off in the distance...pretty sweet!
well it's been a crazy week and a half since my last post...
last week we took some kids kayaking, to the zoo, and to a downtown carnival...talk about exhausting...but so worth it.
The kayaking event was in Golden, CO...so we made Golden Tickets for nine lucky children! They had a blast! I had so much fun watching them learn and then take off! No worries though they were on a pond...across the street from a river where pro kayakers were doing tricks on a class II rapid....sweet! the kids all wanted to try....hahahaa no.
This particular trip was interesting because I was able to view my kids inlight of the other "normal" kids who came for the kayaking lessons...there was also food provided and our kids if they didn't eat it they wanted to take it home with them...B left with 5 apples, 3 burritos, 2 honeybuns, and 1 giant jug of Picante salsa...kind of funny...but sad to realize that most of these kids know a life that questioned where the next meal was coming from...
The Zoo. 21 kids. 3 leaders. 1 migraine. My group was decent...except for the one guy who would not stay with me...or the group. ever. But they loved the animals and especially the monkeys. I wonder why? We got the tickets donated and brought snacks and water...that way the parents didn't have to pay...but it was hard not being able to give the kids rides on the trains or ice cream or souvenirs...but at least they got to go right?
The SAY Yes! (a mentoring program) carnival. 9 kids. 6 leaders. 0 migraine. I hung out with K. He is a 4 year old that speaks very clearly and knows exactly what he wants. and he has a mullet. haha. He got his whole face painted like spiderman. "Hi! Did you know that I'm Spiderman?!?!?!" and he got a sword balloon animal. "Ya! Hi-Ya!" Right next to the carnival was a McDonald's...we got all the kids sundaes...ha. ha. ha. talk about hilarious when 3 year old G tries to eat with a spoon and it goes everywhere...
This past weekend we went to Estes Park on Sunday...so far I have only been to the foothills apparently. Because Sunday...talk about humongous snow capped mountains...beautiful...
Then comes this week. This week has been one thing after another.
One family is leaving. One family might be kicked out. One family's dad is hoping to join the New Life Program (NLP). Today we had to bring a social worker in. it's just been crazy...full of those little details that I can't talk about....suffice it to say that it's been hectic and prayer would be greatly appreciated.
For one of my specialized experienes for my internship...I got to do the New Family Orientation. AMAZING. Favorite thing so far. I went to the whole thing...it begins with the STAR Case Managment and then to the Facility Director and then to the STAR Youth Program. My supervisor wants me to do the orientation the rest of the summer! I'm excited. Basically I present a ton of mandated paperwork to the families with kids...This week the crossing got 4 new Families with kids....so we have 14 new kids at the crossing! woo hoo..
well Panera is closing...hahaha.
bye
p.s. the most totally amazing thing ever also happened this week.........my roommate Kaila got me a gallon jug of fresh brewed Sweet Tea!!! amazing huh? I'd been talking about how much i missed it...and she surprised me!!!! loves her!
Monday, June 16, 2008
1+1=3?
so this weekend was amazing. especially after the chaos of last week it was greatly needed!
Friday was a company picnic at the Harvest Farm in Fort Collins, CO which is 45 minutes north of Denver. The farm is another ministry of the DRM it's a 209 acre farm that is farmed by more New Life guys...it's amazing! They have a pizza farm...meaning they grow everything to make a pizza!
After that a group of us stayed at Andrea's house (she lives in Fort Collins). Her parents cooked for us and we hung out around town. The next day we went to the Taste of Fort Collins and saw Lifehouse in concert! It was amazing!!!
This week started a bunch of stuff planned by the interns! Today was Rockin' Readers and Brain Games. We were trying to encourage the 3-11yrs to keep up their studies or to help them along...I was with the 3 and 4 year olds. They don't read yet so we were doing the alphabet and numbers. It was very similar to TESOL which was interesting for me. Both boys I was working with have a very limited attention span so that was equally interesting and frustrating.
We still have some kinks to work out...which we will...but I think both of those programs will be greatly beneficial...
Found out today that another family is leaving on friday...this time the family is moving into their own home instead of another shelter which is exciting. Their kids were definitely more of the challenging type but I will miss them...
We have Kid's Club tonight...it's career night! There's a nurse coming in and everything! The goal of this is to present to the kids a future they might not think they could have....most of the kids who live here do not have a vision for their futures...so we just want to encourage them...
Oh. We are totally going to the Denver Zoo on Friday! How cool is that?
a is for apple. and 1+1=2 not 3.
Friday was a company picnic at the Harvest Farm in Fort Collins, CO which is 45 minutes north of Denver. The farm is another ministry of the DRM it's a 209 acre farm that is farmed by more New Life guys...it's amazing! They have a pizza farm...meaning they grow everything to make a pizza!
After that a group of us stayed at Andrea's house (she lives in Fort Collins). Her parents cooked for us and we hung out around town. The next day we went to the Taste of Fort Collins and saw Lifehouse in concert! It was amazing!!!
This week started a bunch of stuff planned by the interns! Today was Rockin' Readers and Brain Games. We were trying to encourage the 3-11yrs to keep up their studies or to help them along...I was with the 3 and 4 year olds. They don't read yet so we were doing the alphabet and numbers. It was very similar to TESOL which was interesting for me. Both boys I was working with have a very limited attention span so that was equally interesting and frustrating.
We still have some kinks to work out...which we will...but I think both of those programs will be greatly beneficial...
Found out today that another family is leaving on friday...this time the family is moving into their own home instead of another shelter which is exciting. Their kids were definitely more of the challenging type but I will miss them...
We have Kid's Club tonight...it's career night! There's a nurse coming in and everything! The goal of this is to present to the kids a future they might not think they could have....most of the kids who live here do not have a vision for their futures...so we just want to encourage them...
Oh. We are totally going to the Denver Zoo on Friday! How cool is that?
a is for apple. and 1+1=2 not 3.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
-1
Today was hard.
It didn't hit me until today that I was really working with transitional families. And the program at the Crossing exists to encourage families to self-sufficiency and so with that are a set of strict rules and policies. Any broken rule results in the family being asked to leave or "kicked out" for a minimum of 30 days...and today I was immediately affected by this.
I was starting to build a relationship with a ten year old girl named M (no names). Her family is leaving tomorrow morning. Potentially, I could see her again before the end of the summer...but I'm just not sure...
We gave her two books and lots of small toys to take with her to remember us by. But somehow it just doesn't seem right...I know this is going to stick with me...but I also know this won't be the last time a kid will be leave in the middle of the week...
Last summer I was used to kids coming and going on a weekly basis. But this affects the whole family and it's really hard. She has already been through so much in her short 10 years of life that I can't even imagine. All I know is is that I praise the Lord for bringing her into my life if it was only for a few days and I know that I will never forget her...
It didn't hit me until today that I was really working with transitional families. And the program at the Crossing exists to encourage families to self-sufficiency and so with that are a set of strict rules and policies. Any broken rule results in the family being asked to leave or "kicked out" for a minimum of 30 days...and today I was immediately affected by this.
I was starting to build a relationship with a ten year old girl named M (no names). Her family is leaving tomorrow morning. Potentially, I could see her again before the end of the summer...but I'm just not sure...
We gave her two books and lots of small toys to take with her to remember us by. But somehow it just doesn't seem right...I know this is going to stick with me...but I also know this won't be the last time a kid will be leave in the middle of the week...
Last summer I was used to kids coming and going on a weekly basis. But this affects the whole family and it's really hard. She has already been through so much in her short 10 years of life that I can't even imagine. All I know is is that I praise the Lord for bringing her into my life if it was only for a few days and I know that I will never forget her...
Monday, June 9, 2008
31:3
"I have loved you with an everlasting love."--Jeremiah 31:3
20 kids said that memory verse tonight. I just hope they realize how much they truly are loved.
I'm back in Denver. Today was full force intense day of kids. A church from Oklahoma is here for the alternate summer break program and is putting on a VBS. So today was VBS and since the parents have a workshop we have Kid's Club M-W this week.
I'm currently with Crystal and Devin in the Bronco Room awaiting the arrival of the final two kid's parents. They're occupying themselves by spinning around and around..."43's my limit."
I had a little 3 year old fall asleep on my lap while watching a movie. So cute. The 20 kids here tonight were pretty exhausted so most had pretty rough attitudes. oh joy.
If the rest of the week goes the way today went then I'm going to be exhausted with a rough attitude myself. hahaha.
Now the two that are left are playing Marco Polo. hahahaha.....
polo.
20 kids said that memory verse tonight. I just hope they realize how much they truly are loved.
I'm back in Denver. Today was full force intense day of kids. A church from Oklahoma is here for the alternate summer break program and is putting on a VBS. So today was VBS and since the parents have a workshop we have Kid's Club M-W this week.
I'm currently with Crystal and Devin in the Bronco Room awaiting the arrival of the final two kid's parents. They're occupying themselves by spinning around and around..."43's my limit."
I had a little 3 year old fall asleep on my lap while watching a movie. So cute. The 20 kids here tonight were pretty exhausted so most had pretty rough attitudes. oh joy.
If the rest of the week goes the way today went then I'm going to be exhausted with a rough attitude myself. hahaha.
Now the two that are left are playing Marco Polo. hahahaha.....
polo.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
1
1 thing: sweet tea at lunch.
that's all.
I was really excited!!!!! and it was good...and not from powder...or with nasty fake lemon...but real brewed sweet tea...not quite as southern...but it was refreshing none the less...
I'll be flying home tomorrow for the wedding! I'll be back in Denver Sunday morning...early.
Holla.
that's all.
I was really excited!!!!! and it was good...and not from powder...or with nasty fake lemon...but real brewed sweet tea...not quite as southern...but it was refreshing none the less...
I'll be flying home tomorrow for the wedding! I'll be back in Denver Sunday morning...early.
Holla.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
33
There are 33 kids between the ages of 3 and 12 at the Crossing.
All week...meaning yesterday and today...we, Kaylie, Devin, Ashley and Lilly (both Cru Kids with Summer in the City and part time) and I, have been planning for the upcoming weeks at the Crossing...
Yesterday we (Kaylie, Devin, Crystal, and I) ran our first Kid's Club...it's every Monday from 7-8:30 and we played games and learned about Jesus. It was a blast...
Then we went to the Colorado Crush game...arena football at its finest...hahahaha...it was hilarious...one of the players Rashad Floyd is really involved at the Crossing and provides free tickets for the families (and interns :)...super awesome...during halftime there was a women's rugby team that played...pretty cool...and a jumprope team...and an X-treme Bike team...it was a very random night...
Then it stormed something fierce...hail and everything...
Today we planned more and learned a ton from Luis Villarreal from Save Our Youth Mentoring...very intense day...I'm quite tired....and today is another long training session...so I'm off to bed!
P.S. The Crossing has an intense web filter so I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to access this at the Crossing...which means my posts may be few...until I go to Panera! Also, facebook and myspace are also blocked...
All week...meaning yesterday and today...we, Kaylie, Devin, Ashley and Lilly (both Cru Kids with Summer in the City and part time) and I, have been planning for the upcoming weeks at the Crossing...
Yesterday we (Kaylie, Devin, Crystal, and I) ran our first Kid's Club...it's every Monday from 7-8:30 and we played games and learned about Jesus. It was a blast...
Then we went to the Colorado Crush game...arena football at its finest...hahahaha...it was hilarious...one of the players Rashad Floyd is really involved at the Crossing and provides free tickets for the families (and interns :)...super awesome...during halftime there was a women's rugby team that played...pretty cool...and a jumprope team...and an X-treme Bike team...it was a very random night...
Then it stormed something fierce...hail and everything...
Today we planned more and learned a ton from Luis Villarreal from Save Our Youth Mentoring...very intense day...I'm quite tired....and today is another long training session...so I'm off to bed!
P.S. The Crossing has an intense web filter so I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to access this at the Crossing...which means my posts may be few...until I go to Panera! Also, facebook and myspace are also blocked...
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