A Great Day!

So things have been super crazy here, but I can't really tell you how they have been crazy! They just are...I guess we all know how life can get crazy and we don't truly even know what we are doing!

Today was one of those days I sit back and think, "So this is why I moved to New York City!" For those of you who do not know, I am working for Shiloh, a non-profit ministry that works with inner city kids in the tri-state area. Currently we have our hands full with everything from Spring Break Campaigns, to Interviewing counselors for Camp Shiloh, to beginning mentoring programs with some of our kids in the Bronx. I have never truly done urban ministry, other than my summers at Camp Shiloh, but today I caught a brief glimpse of what urban ministry is.

I called about 12 kids earlier this week and told them we would be meeting with them on Thursday in a McDonald's in their neighborhood, that being the Northwest Bronx. So today as we were leaving Manhattan it began to rain. Thoughts were going through my head, "these kids won't get out in the rain to meet us; what can we really accomplish in McDonald's, no one is going to show up." But as I sat in McDonald's waiting for Ryan (he is the Program Director at Shiloh and was parking the car) one by one the kids started coming in. It was such an amazing feeling to be sitting there and see them look through the glass window and see me. When they saw me they immediately smiled and waved! We had 6 out of the 12 kids show up and these 6 kids really wanted to be there. We ate ice cream, talked about what was going on in school and in their neighborhoods, and how they couldn't wait to get back to camp! Soon one of the kids asked a question about Jesus and the conversation took off from there. They were asking all kinds of questions and you could see the desire they had to learn more and more! After we closed for the afternoon and everyone went their separate ways I couldn't help but think, how little of me to question God's ability to do great things! Here we were in a McDonald's in the Bronx on a rainy, cold afternoon with 6 kids talking about Jesus. It was a very humbling moment and I am so thankful that I serve a God who will work even when we second guess Him.

I am very thankful God has placed me in New York City and shows me each and every day that he is in control, even in McDonald's!

It Finally Snowed!!!

So when I moved up to NYC I knew I was moving into true winter weather. For weeks I have been living with the extremely cold temperatures, but have been hearing of all the snow in Texas and wondering if I had moved away from the snow. Well, today I found out I did not move away from the snow, it just took it a little while to get here.

It is so funny to me how different people respond to snow. If it had snowed and sleeted like it did today where I am from school would have been closed for at least two days and no one would have ventured out of their houses, other than to build a snowman or have a snow ball fight. However, New York City does not slow down one bit! People were out and about tromping through the snow, buses and cars were driving down the streets as always, and schools were going strong!

How did I fair you ask?? Well I stayed inside until the weather man said the worst of it had passed and I had to get out. I left my apartment this afternoon and stepped out into winter wonderland. The snow was covering the streets and sidewalks and I was happy to be wearing my new snow boots! I have been waiting to wear them for a looong time and I finally had a reason to wear them, so I was super excited about that!! So I tromped, literally tromped through the snow and made it to my destination. It wasn't that bad and it was kinda fun to have a new adventure yet again!

I have had a great past few days and I have really enjoyed being up here. Here is a brief synopsis of what I have been up too!

First, I had the opportunity to go on the Women's Retreat with the Manhattan Church of Christ this past weekend. Shiloh's office is in the Manhattan Church's building and I attend church here as well. It was up in the Poconos Mountains in Pennsylvania at a retreat center. It was a wonderful weekend with a great group of women and we had a great relaxing time. Charme Robarts, from Skillman Church in Texas, was our speaker and she lead us through the book of Mark. Mark is a book I have read several times, but this time it was very real and I really enjoyed the study! I also got to know some of the women much better and feel more connected to some friends now.

Second...Last night me, Kristi (my roommate), Ryan (I work with him at Shiloh), and Teresa (Ryan's wife and a good friend of mine) went to the filming of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I have never been to a live taping of any show and it was really fun to see how it all works. We had to stand outside in the cold for about an hour, but thankfully it had not begun to snow yet and the tickets were free so I couldn't complain about that! The show is so funny, some parts inappropriate, but it was fun and something that you can only do in NYC. Props to my roommate for getting us the tickets!! Then after we were done with the show we went down to Times Square and ate at the Olive Garden. I know some of you are probably wondering what in the world, you live in NYC and you are eating at the Olive Garden. Something I have discovered living here is every once in a while you just need a good ol' chain restaurant. So we went to the Olive Garden and I had soup and salad. I had forgotten how yummy their salad and bread sticks are! IT WAS SO GOOD!!! Plus, while we were there it started snowing it was so fun just to sit and eat a great meal and watch it snow! It was a great night and I had lots of fun!

I needed that night as I have been a little lonely here lately and it was fun just to go out and now worry about a thing! I pray that this post finds you all well and know that I miss all of you that are keeping up with me through my Blog. Have a wonderful night and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

I am FREEZING!

So, from a little urging from friends I have decided to start blogging. I think this may be the only way I feel like I am still connected to those outside of NYC! Plus, since it has not been above 20 degrees for the past three days and well....I have been staying inside a lot here lately!

I know all of my friends and family have had a their share of Winter weather this year, but I can't recall a time in my life when I have walked to work in single digits in my life! My walk to work is not bad, only 9 blocks down and two blocks over, but I would have to say that I prefer the walk in the Spring and Summer! I am praying for warmer weather to come quickly but when I mention this to Northeastern natives they all laugh at me! I just want to look at them and say, "Come on! Help me out a little! Give me just a bit of encouragement! Of course talking to my mom last night did not help either, it was a warm 70 degrees for her. I will keep praying for an early Spring regardless of what I hear from friends around here!

So that is my life currently, walking around in frigid temps and praying for an early Spring. I will blog more about what all I am doing here in New York soon! Miss all of my family and friends and I hope to see you all soon!