Christmas Break

The Blackmon family Christmas. It was great to be at home with my family- to get to rest and enjoy all the things I love about them as well as some tasty mom-cooked food.


With Ally and Sis. Ally and her husband came over for Christmas. As did my aunt and the Mendekes. It was fun to have people over at the house and get to spend time with friends.


Me and my man Justus. I got to spend a few days in College Station hanging out with old friends (and lots of children). This time was full and extremely encouraging.


Breakfast with friends from TAMS. Rachel, Ryan, and David.

Catch up on Littles

Christmas Party in the girl's house


I'm sorry for slacking on updates this month.

Earlier this month J was sent to a different lock-down facility in California becuase the therapists here and at a local mental hospital decided that this is not the best place for her right now. I was really sad when she left, becuase I felt like she had been a little gift to me, but I know the Lord's purpose was perfect in the time she had here and where she is headed now. I have not heard from her since she left, but would love to be able to keep in contact with her.

K2 ran earlier this month and actually got away- no one heard from her for a couple weeks. But her plans of where she was goig to stay fell through and she contacted her parents and is now back at home with them. Praise the Lord that she is safe. We will definitely miss her here. Pray for her parents as they are trying to set strict boundaries and change a lot of things at home.

5 of the girl Littles who are still in the program (including M), graduated from Shelterwood Highschool right before Christmas break. Most of them are looking for jobs when they return so that they can work during school hours each morning. This should bring some big changes this semester.

One precious girl finished and graduated from the whole program. (The is the first girl to complete the program since I arrived) She is not a believer and has been very curious about the Lord and yet outwardly very opposed to him her whole time here. Please pray for her salvation- that as she remembers this place, she would see the difference of the Lord's love and turn to him.

Progress

This week has been both hard and good for my class. It was so refreshing just to be back together on Tuesday. We are one another's friends and family and community, so its encouraging to be together again after break. Things have been pretty tense with the Littles in both houses this week though, and then with losing one of our teammates, and 2 of the girls in my class going through stuff that's really hard(one almost left this week) - it's just been hard. However, we got to spend hours and hours just praying for one another this week instead of doing our normal class stuff, so that was really good. We also had fun time together on days off and suzy night- played some fun "Imagine If".

Last night I had a really fun Big-Little with J. She had 4 hours she had to work off after school in order for us to go. But she really wanted to so she started scrubbing the bathrooms right after school and worked hard until she got them all off. We went to the mall and had cinabon, sat by the big fire, got mesages in the chairs at Brookstone, and tried Bath and Body Works products. For someone who doesn't like the mall (me), it was a lot of fun. I guess the mall is ok so long as you're not shopping. :o)

I got to talk with M last night too. (she couldn't come on big-little because she has hours). She and her mom made a lot of progress over break, and as a result of this, she is ready to have real relationship with me. This is really exciting- both for her family and for me. it is scary too though. I already love her so much, even though I don't have much of a relationship with her, I know that will only grow as I get to know her better- and that's scary because it means it will hurt worse if/when she decides to quit and ignore me again. But, I trust my Jesus and know that whatever happens, he is in control and it is worth it.

Here's a praise- it looks like SJ is going to get to stay through May and complete the program. She was having ot leave for financial reasons and somehow they were able to work something out, so this is exciting.