Catch Up

Sorry I haven't written- things are pretty busy around here
Wednesday and Thursday morning were difficult. I think just because of so much change (coming back to property, new Bigs and a new Little, school starting back) emotions were heightened which was draining. It’s easy to see yourself the way others see you too- and so just struggling with feeling worthless. Then Thursday afternoon after the Littles had group counseling they decided to “initiate” us by hiding with one of the counselors and faking a “run”. And then they wanted to play this silly game to embarrass each of the Bigs. Even though they may have felt like “haha, we’re initiating them”, they really were enjoying themselves and it was a sign of acceptance to us.

Then Thursday night M finally talked to me for real – apologized for ignoring me and just told me some about her past and things she struggles with. Praise God! This is a big victory. It was kinda cool because I had e-mailed asking for prayer about that Thursday afternoon and late Thursday night, when M came to get me another Big, Ashley has just asked me about her and how things were and I didn’t really know how to answer. So thanks for your prayers.

Friday morning was super encouraging. Every Friday morning the Bigs have worship/prayer and girls/guys small group. The girls are going through “Captivating” this semester. I am really excited about this time to share, grow, and seek the Lord together, and this week it was just a reminder of a lot of the reason why we’re here. We knew that, but since we hadn’t really done it yet, I had forgotten.

I also got to talk to M’s counselor on Friday morning. This was very insightful and helpful. Then Friday afternoon and evening was just hanging out with the Littles. The old Bigs were allowing M to do things that I felt like was allowing her to manipulate them and stay where she was rather than move forward with her therapy. Her counselor confirmed this and said we needed to change things and that she would help by speaking with both M and the Bigs.

Friday is the official Big/Little night – Time where we hang out and do fun things with our assigned girls. M has “hours” though which means that we can’t leave property. “Hours” are work hours that the girls are given as consequences. Me and M didn’t really do anything for Big-Little, but that’s ok. Some of the girls go to Celebrate Recovery at our church on Friday night too. Also, a couple girls got room grounded b/c some tobacco was found in a bag when they came back from break. This means one of us has to be at the house and with them pretty much all the time.

Saturday morning the girls get to sleep in some and then we do “work project” – mainly cleaning up around property. I lucked out and got to go on the Walmart run during work project to get the kids requests for them. We just hang out for the afternoon and then tonight we have “house night”. We’re all just gunna have a game night together.

So I know this was probably a little hard to follow, but maybe it gives a peek into what things are like around here.