Here are some pictures of where I am living this year. We are located just down the street from Target, Bestbuy, Marshalls, and a number of other handy stores. (My room is the top two front windows)

 

Here is looking down our block.

 

This is our kitchen and dining room.



 

In the evenings we have been playing games here after eating.

Now for my bedroom (please excuse the mess) . . .

 

 

For those of you who know where I was living last semester this room is gigantic in comparison. Also it is really drab and has a really bad paint job so I am hoping to hit up some thrift stores to find some interesting frames or art pieces. 



Kid Power

Well I have begun working at Kid Power but so far it has been a little dis-jointed. On Monday it was almost as if they weren't ready for us to start. There was a lot of stuff (games, art supplies, gym equipment, yoga mats, etc.) piled in the office because the summer camps had recently ended and they hadn't gotten around to sorting it all out so there wasn't really anywhere for us (Alisha and me) to be. By the end of the day some of the other staff had begun sorting through the pile and organizing the items. They gave us random tasks like making calenders on posters and grading pre and post tests from the summer camps. On Tuesday we didn't go to our jobs because we had an Urban Safety seminar in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. It was close enough to walk to so after lunch our house walked over there together. There were two other groups in this seminar with us. One was a volunteer group like ours and the other was an EMU/Bluffton semester group. The students are here for internships. It was nice to meet other young people in the city. The seminar was more than just telling us how to avoid dangerous situations but rather how to be proactive in our neighborhoods and make the city as a whole safer. We were also shown techniques to use in the event of a robbery or how to twist your wrist so that anyone holding on to your arm lets go. It was pretty interesting and the lady who led it was full of great stories. After the seminar we ate pizza which was great because it was pizza and free! Then we went for a long walk as a house along with a few of the EMU/Bluffton students. By the time we got home we were all beat but since it was still early we played rook. I had never played before and neither had Anne or Cara so it was an interesting learning experience for all of us.

Today when we got to the office it was a completely different atmosphere. All of the summer camp stuff was gone and there were two desks made up for Alisha and me. We began working on the calenders but were then given a pile of documents that we needed to attend to. Since we are going to be in DC public schools we need background checks completed and TB tests. We were then sent off (around 10:30) on what turned out to be a very long scavenger hunt of sorts across the city. First we were going to get some papers notarized, but they wouldn't accept my temporary Iowa license. So after being at the bank for around 45 minutes we left with only Alisha's papers notarized. We went back to our place to get my passport and then stoped by some local banks to see if we could get my papers notarized there, and of course none of them had their notary in today, so we went to the CVS to see if we could get our TB tests done. And no, they don't do that at our local CVS. So next we went on a 30-45 min metro ride to Tenlytown to their CVS where they have a Minute Clinic. By now it was about 12:30. We left the clinic at 1:30 and headed back to China Town (where the office is) and went back to the first bank to get my papers notarized. It was about 2:10 by the time we got back to the office and were finally able to eat our lunches. We ate quickly because we went with one of the other staffers to a Bi-lingual Montisori school for their Kid Power after school program. The kids were wild. They didn't really listen when the adults talked and were constantly roaming the room or playing with random stuff. This seems to be the norm at this placement. I am glad that I won't be there for the whole year. But I will probably be back several times over the next few weeks. It is really nice to be able to see how these programs generally run but I hope the kids I am with are more accustomed to listening to adults and staying focused. The last of the kids was picked up around 6 and we left soon after. We got back to the house around 6:30 and I was feeling ready for bed. Instead of going straight to bed we all ate and talked about meals for next week. We played a game of dutch blitz as well before all retiring to our rooms. I am feeling very tired after these last few days so I need to get to bed.

Hello from D.C.

I have finally made it to my new home for the next year. It is such a relief to finally be here and be moved in. Today the final member of our unit (Alisha) arrived and is in the process of getting settled. I myself got to the house around 1am on Saturday morning after traveling for the previous 12 hours. I found some sheets, made my bed, unpacked enough to find my pjs and went to bed. Yesterday was spent unpacking my belonging which I had mailed here (yes everything arrived and nothing was damaged) and dusting and sweeping my new room. Ann and I also made a grocery run in the afternoon. Things are more expensive in the city so we made sure to check for sales. We ended up getting more than we planned (big surprise) and then had to carry it all the two blocks back to our house. Next time we will make sure to take the little cart. Our local contact person took Ann and me on a short walk around the neighborhood later on. It was nice to see the area and we found a park a few blocks away which I am sure we will use frequently. Two members of our unit arrived Saturday afternoon and evening (Keith and Cara).

Today the four of us who were here went to Hyettsville Mennonite Church. When we got there we saw that the church was under construction and there was a sign that they were meeting at a different church for the time being. There was an address but since none of us have a smart phone or know the area that didn't help us. Keith was able to call someone who was able to find directions online so we made it in time for the service. There were a lot of friendly people there and we all felt very welcomed. We were even invited to one member's house for ice cream following the service which was very tasty and greatly appreciated. It gave us the opportunity to get to know a few members a little better. We were also given a ride back to our house! I don't think we could have asked for a nicer treat. Most of us spent the rest of the day cleaning/scrubbing (not sure if the group before us cleaned or dusted anything before leaving) or unpacking. It is great to have such a big house with lots of space until you realize it is up to us to now clean all of this. I am happy to say that the third floor (where I live) has been completely scrubbed top to bottom and there is no longer a ring around the bathtub or tufts of dust in the corners.

There is still more to say, but I am starting at Kid Power tomorrow and I am afraid that I should be getting to bed. I will also try and post some photos of my new place when I get the chance.

Community

The last few days have been filled with seminars. We have been focusing on what it means to live in community as well as why we should live in community. I have enjoyed the conversations. In American society today we are taught to be individuals and care for ourselves. This is not what God has called us to. We are to live together, sharing with the sick and widdowed. I am excited to get to know the area where I will be living this next year and learn what kind of community it is. Each community is different and has its own obstacles and challenges. We spent time on Monday and Tuesday talking about race and what being a race means. We did this by looking at our own race. What does it mean for me to be a white female living in America? How did I learn how to be a white female here? When you are in the majority you are not confronted with these questions but it is important to explore their answers so that we can better understand ourselves as well as others.

Today we spent time looking at our own personalities and how they influence the way our house will live in community. It was really interesting to discover more about myself as well as learn about my new house mates. We have already begun some great dialogue and I look forward to continuing it. This week is going by quickly. On the one hand I wish it was longer because I have met some really great people who are doing a term in a different part of the country, but on the other hand I am so excited to get to D.C., move in, and start my new job. 

San Antonio

Well I have made it to orientation. After beginning my day at 3:30am I am finally laying in a bed once again. Ten hours of travel on not much sleep is just about zero fun. On two of my flights I woke up during take off, fell right back to sleep, and then woke while we were landing. So no drinks and snacks for me. I have met a lot of other MVSers, though I don't know if I can remember most of their names yet. My house mates seem like a lot of fun which makes me look forward to moving in all that much more. During orientation we are staying in the San Antonio Mennonite Church. I'm not sure when it was built, but it was a long time ago. It is a neat building and even though it isn't that big I keep getting turned around in here. I think it is because there are two stair cases which turn and there aren't really hallways, just rooms that branch off one another. Tonight we had pizza when I got here (a little late but I blame the bus). There are some cooks down here who came down from I'm not sure where just to cook so I am excited to see what they make for breakfast tomorrow. This week looks like it is going to be busy and like I said, I didn't get much sleep last night so I'm afraid I'm going to keep this post short.

Just over 30 hours til take off

I can't believe that I will be leaving my parent's home in just under 30 hours and most likely will not be back for a very long time. I have no idea what my holiday schedule will look like so it is very possible that I won't be back until Christmas and then only for a short time. Even though it seems unreal and hasn't quite set in I am still excited. I mailed 3 boxes to my future address today which makes it seem a little more real. Two of them were kinda heavy (about 15 and 35 lbs), but one was just 6 lbs shy of needing the "HEAVY" sticker on it. (That is required of all packages at and above 70 lbs.) Seems strange to total up the weight of everything I am going to be watching (DVDs), reading, and wearing during the next year. My biggest fear now is that one of the boxes will burst open during transit and who knows if they would be able to find everything after it all goes flying. I swear if you cut the tape it would act like a jack-in-the-box.

I want to thank everyone who responded to my letter. I feel very blessed to have such supportive people in my life. I appreciate all the prayers and notes. This next year is going to be very different but I have always looked forward to changes as exciting and new. As my uncle Merle pointed out tonight he is "happy to see me go because it is going to be a new adventure." It will be a lot of fun being in a city and especially exciting since I am going to be in DC during the election process. So many changes are waiting just around the corner and I don't know if I should just try to slow down and enjoy my last day here or bite my nails waiting in anticipation for what will come. One thing I am certain of is I am not scared. I don't really know how to describe it other than just a feeling of peace. It is like I know I am doing the right thing and God has removed all doubt from my mind. Romans 8:28 just keeps running through my mind, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Perhaps there is a higher purpose to what I will be doing this next year, more than simply tutoring students. I truely and deeply hope that I am able to touch even one student's life in a positive way.

Only one week left

In one week from today I will be in Texas meeting the other MVSers! And a week after that I will be settling into the DC MVS house. It doesn't seem like enough time to get everything done. I still have a few days left of work and I haven't hardly begun to pack anything. It is hard to know what I will need for a year of service. I don't want to take too much but when I don't really know what to expect it is hard not to over pack. These last few days and weeks it seems like I have just been waiting to get out to DC. I can't wait to move in and get familiar with the city. It is going to be a lot different than living in rural Iowa but I am ready for some change in my life. It is really nice to know that I will be living in the same place for a full year. No more of this moving every four months. I am sure that through all the moving of the last four years I have lost and misplaced many of my belongings. I am also excited to get to DC because this is the first thing I'm really doing since finishing college. Of course I am going to be supported by a lot of people but I am going to be working full time and on my own. I still can't quite believe that I am completely finished with school and wont be returning to classes and papers and exams this fall. I might actually have some free time!

I have a placement!

So it is now official I am going to be working at Kid Power Inc. this next year. I am going to be a middle school site director so I will be working with students in after school programs. This organization sounds like it does a lot of good and I can't wait to be part of it. There are still a lot of unknowns reguarding this next year, but at least I know what job I will have. I have still not really packed anything but I am feeling much more motivated these days since I will be leaving in just over two weeks. Since I am mailing everything to DC I have to put everything in boxes. It really makes you realize how much you have when you are forced to pack it all up and organize it. Trying to decide what to take and what to get ride of and what to keep for "later" is more challenging than it should be and I know that I am saving more than I should be.

I am not quite sure what to expect living in DC with other VSers but I am excited. I know that it wont always be easy but I am looking forward to the challenges because they will force me to grow as a person. I feel like I am young and still have lots to learn and what better setting than living in a very urban setting with other Christians. We will be able to support one another as well as challenge one another's thinking. I am ready to move out of my parent's house (hopefully for good) and get the post college part of my life started.