Beautiful Lord

Beautiful Lord...
That has been my thought over the last couple of weeks. The God of the universe has blessed me beyond my comprehension. With family, friends, the LU-Choice program, my roommates, my students, my co-workers, my house here in Chicago...the list can go forever.

The provision that the Lord gives to each of us is endless.

One memory that sticks out in my mind from Christmas break is one that I will carry with me forever. The last week in Mexico, my Grandma invited me and my parents over for dinner. Before going I was like "eh, just dinner and nice company." As my 80 year old Gram is preparing dinner and we sit down to supper, as I am experiencing the moments that pass over the course of an hour...my heart is touched many times by the Love of Christ. As we sit around the table, pray for the meal and have conversation...I realized something. How special it is to be in communion with others...the idea of sharing a meal with someone...a meal...something that you partake in multiple times a day...something that I can't explain, the idea of making a meal together and then sitting down to eat it together. It brings to mind the powerful image of Jesus and his apostles at the Last Supper before He is crucified. This brings me to another image...every week at Mass, the Body of Christ comes together to share in the Eucharist, the Body of Christ, in communion with one another....realizing that we are all the same, human beings created by God in Jesus' image who fail and need the spiritual nourishment, the Bread of Life and the Saving cup.

I started back at school this week. It has been a fast week. My students have been delightful and I realize how much they enjoy learning. Something that every teacher desires. I am excited for the next couple of months as we finish out the year because my students are ready to start learning how to read, telling time, simple addition and subtraction. I have a lot to teach them and am elated at what my students will learn. Second quarter is coming to a close and I pass out report cards in 2 weeks. Most of my students are doing really well. I have a couple that are struggling. In particular Sebastian, Juan, Ricky, and Eduardo.

There have been some frustrating things going on in the LU-Choice program. There are a total of 6 first years. 2 of the first years, Danielle and Elle were placed in the same school St. Barbara. The year started off shaky with their principal and hasn't improved. Danielle decided to leave the program around Thanksgiving because of issues with the principal. And now Elle is having the same issues with the Principal and doesn't know if she is going to be able to hang in there. It upsets me because the director of our program placed them there knowing that these issues existed with previous LU-Choicers. I just don't understand. I feel upset because I want it to work out for Elle and I wanted it to work out for Danielle. My experience has been wonderful and I want that for them.

In 6 weeks, there will be college students who venture here to Chicago to interview for this program in search of a service opportunity, a way to put their faith in action, and for some...they don't know why they are applying to the program...It is crazy to look over the last 7 months and how I remember the weekend I came to Chicago with my parents for the interview, meeting the current LU-Choice participants, being nervous at what would happen, if I would be accepted, if I wanted to be accepted....if I was willing to say Yes to the call.

**I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas Break and New year. I appreciate you all who read this and are in this ministry with me as my anchors, as my encouragement.

I ask all of you to pray for 2 things.
1. For Elle, who is having a hard time with her principal and doesn't know if she will stay with the program that God's sovereignty will give her peace.
2. For the LU-Choice interviews that are on February 21. For all the potential candidates that they will be interviewing and for those who are considering it that they will take a step of faith to apply.

His Beloved,
Gina

P.S. On a personal note, my brother John made a decision to move out of my parents house. For the first time he has a plan. He moved down to Arkansas after Christmas and has been there for a couple of weeks. He has a job at Chili's and has the responsibility of paying rent. Through his constant struggle with drugs and alcohol this seems to be a glimpse of light. My trust is in God that John can succeed, that John can figure things out by being away from my parents. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he makes this journey.