Reality

As I came home from Maryville and have been spending needed time with my family some heart breaking realities have come to my attention.

My older brother John who is 26 has a son, Dillon. Dil is the cutest thing! Here are pictures.















My brother and Ashley (Dillon's mom) are not together and don't have the best relationship. Before a couple of weeks ago, Dillon would come over almost every weekend, however an incident happened and now Ashley doesn't want Dillon coming over.

On Sunday May 25 there was a knock on the door. I thought it was some child wanting to sell us something so I made my dad answer the door. ( I am horrible at telling little kids no) I went into the kitchen and when the door opened it was Dillon. My mom and I ran into the living room and my mom knelt down and gave Dillon a big hug and kiss. Dillon was with his grandpa and they were in the neighborhood and decided to stop by.

I picked up Dillon, and gave him a big hug. He looked me in the eyes with a grim and sad look and said "I've missed you auntie Gina." Tears swelled in my eyes. Then Dillon went to John and said, "Dad, I want to come stay with you but mom won't listen or let me." For the first time I realized how sad this situation is. This is not how God intended "family" to be. We have to make the best of what is going on and my prayer has been that Ashley's heart will soften.

My next thought was...this is what most of the children that I will have as students will be going through with divided households. I pray for courage and love to show these children.

Today on facebook I think that the daily bible verse is great. It gives us a picture of how we are supposed to live...as salt of the earth. :D

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:13-16

Simplifying

For the last couple of months, I have been trying to simplify my life. It all started when I took on this task of organizing my room. I borrowed this how-to book from my friend Megan at work and ever since then, I can't stop giving things away. These are things that I simply don't need in my life and it feels so good to have less. The other reason I am simplifying is for my move to Chicago. I am only going to be able to take what can fit in my dad's truck, which doesn't give me much room to work with.

These are 2 quotes that I have come to love and strive for everyday.

"Perhaps there are times we are called to live simply so that our focus of reaching the destitute cannot be swayed by our worry of losing material possessions."

"We have all known the long loneliness, and we have found that the answer is community."
-Dorothy Day

God's Provision

As I think about how God provides for my life it gives my soul a feeling of peace and reassurance knowing that my journey to Chicago will have God's hand in all I do.

I have been able to quickly see this provision when on Mother's day, My parents and I went to Grandpa and Grandma Talken's house when I found out that Grandpa has a sister that lives and works downtown, right where I will be. This immediately calmed me and I was able to let my nervousness about being 7 hours from home go away, knowing that I had family so close. Katherine is Grandpa's sister and I can't wait to meet her, Grandpa called her and let me talk with her and she was nothing but sweet!

Day after my college graduation

I am sitting here alone in an empty apartment...when just yesterday it was filled with family and friends...Life is changing so fast, faster than I can understand. I am listening Martina McBride's song "Trying to find a reason," It explains my feelings of leaving Northwest. "maybe it is time to walk away if I am trying to find a reason to stay...all I know is it can't go on forever..." There is so much waiting for me in Chicago and I am ready for the adventure...the adventure that is at my feet. I am ready to dive in, both feet first! :)

As I look back a couple of months ago in August 2007 when I started a job to 'just pay the bills' I never knew that it could change my heart and life forever. I was hired as an after school teacher at St.Gregory's school. From the first day of meeting my co-workers, parents and students I loved it! I finally saw what I enjoyed and was good at. To my surprise I would stumble upon an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to receive my Master's in Education from Loyola University. The LU-Choice program is setup to help financially and at the same time be in the classroom teaching. The best part is living with other participants while growing together in our struggles as teachers, doing bible studies, making meals together, and experiencing Chicago!

God has given my heart peace about moving on, pressing forward to this new time in my life and I will be helping out in an area where there is a need for it, the inner city schools of Chicago. Service teaching is going to be challenging in ways that I don't even know right now.

It hasn't seemed like 4 years ago I was moving up here to NW. Time just passes us by without us even noticing. I have enjoyed my time here and the past week of saying good-bye has been bittersweet. I am ready to start the new chapter of my life in Chicago. This chapter is one of excitement in the unknown, I don't know who I will meet along the way or who will touch my life. I am trusting God to guide my path and meet me there.

Fondly,

Gina