Work and everyday life

It's been incredible here. I think I'm just coming down from the 'everything's perfect' phase!
We went on a completely random trip to the Missouri river, where we found a little inlet to camp on! We swam in the really nasty water- one of my roommates still isn't sure if he got some kind of fungus on his face from the river! We hung out and played phase 10 for probably 3 hours

We're involved in a church here where we've already been invited to an awesome concert: sweet honey in the rock, and Mama Mia the musical this weekend (tonight!!) as well as a canoeing trip and had a church retreat yesterday! All are gifts to us as the new MVSers coming in!

It turns out that Mennonites (the denomination of the church, and the volunteer service I'm here with) are pretty much my never realized faith identity! They are into jutice, eradicating poverty, being sustainable, living simply, AND playing games, singing songs (hymns with lots of harmony), having potlucks, and hanging out with people....which is basically a short summary of what I fill my life with!!! Along with their belief in and love for God of course! I've had a good time getting to know the 'culture' of being Mennonite- even though I am not quite one yet! I stumbled into something new and perfect though!

I started work at Associated Youth Services (AYS) last Tuesday, and it is good so far! Not stressful, and great co-workers and atmosphere, but not as much interaction with the kids as I had hoped this far. It's only the beginning. I got to sit in on AYS Academy- an alternative school for the kids who have been long-term suspended or in jail. We only have 2 students so far because the regular school just started. They were very well behaved being only 2 kids surrounded by probably 5 teachers. It's incredible what more personalized school can do for kids. I got to do a house visit to a foster child's home with their case worker- who was incredible. This little girl and the case worker were friends, their conversation was great and healthy and positive and though this girl has about every issue in the world at the age of 11, she seems to be really well supported and has so much hope! It was really inspirational for me in terms of maybe going into social work. 10 points for the social work side of my potential future!

I also got to hang out with one of the girls who is in the drug and alcohol treatment program (ADAPT). Each of the kids in the program are required to have 3 hours of recreational activity a week, so I got to go with the ADAPT counselor to this arcade place where we enjoyed an all you can eat buffet and played games! And it was 'work'! It reminded me of going to Game Works with New Horizons youth in Seattle, and made me feel at home. The youth was sweet, and rough around the edges, but for the most part easy to be with and seemed like she was motivaed to be on her way up in her short life, along with many of her other friends. She is living in an independent living apartment, which is great for someone like her to be able to adjust to and take responsibility for. I hope I get to see her again soon! The being a Psychologist side of my potential future gained 10 points when I hung out with the ADAPT counselor- she was incredible and loves her job. I got to see the addiction treatment curriculum, and the healing conversations you could have with these kids is so incredible. yep. 10 points for the Psych. side for sure. This is going to be a decisive year for me eventually - hopefully!

But mostly, I spend the days reading info on the job and the facets of AYS, in meetings, and working on the health fairs that go around the Kansas City KS school district. They are actually a HUGE deal! Every school takes a whole day to cycle all their kids through this fair hosted by AYS to get dental, optical, and general health screenings, with 30 community exhibitors to promote healthy lifestyle choices to the kids in the Wyandot county; one of the poorest and least healthy in the state of KS. I've been calling to get donations of bottled water, as well as to try and get a massage therapist to do a massage or alignment booth. It's super relaxed and low-pressure for me so far, which is good for me to start with because I'm not usually very smooth at transitioning into new large amounts of responsibility- or responsibility at all really : )

I miss my family and friends! I spend a bit of time praying for them, on the phone with them, and just thinking about them in general...oh home...