Training and Such

     As I sit on a couch at a fellow staff members house watching football I am thinking about this past week of what was and the future of what will be. My training is just about complete and then I will be 'officially' staff. By this I mean that until I am fully trained I am not allowed by myself (out of sight of a fellow trained staff member) with a resident. You might be asking yourself, "How long does it take to get trained?" Well honestly it only takes about three weeks which may seem like a long time, but when you are responsible for the lives of anywhere 4-8 residents at one time by yourself, I am willing to go through the training program without rushing. Although I have been here for four weeks, the first two weeks was break period so all the residents were not here and I didn't start training until last week for that fact. I am currently going through the training process with four other people. Eric Brewer-from Indiana, Kim Cook-from Houston, Hannah Brandenburg-from St. Louis, and Allison Kozloski-from St. Louis. I believe they were waiting on them to arrive before starting my training so there will only be one training at a time.
     Point times are were I truly feel I will be able to find out the hearts of my 'point time guys'. What is point time? Point time is your time at least once a week (usually more than once) that is spent one on one with your guys. This is where you get to know them and they get to know you. From the few points times I have listened in on the kids are open and willing to share their life stories with you and for the majority are wanting to change. I honeslty feel as long as they are willing, I will be able to relate to and help them in some form or fashion. As I stated in my last blog my hope is that I will fill accomplished when my time is done here and I have possitively affected the lives of at least one resident.
      There is one resident whom I believe I will have as one of my point time guys that is starting to grow from the ground up in his faith. Yes it is a slow slow process but as everyday comes so do the questions about the Bible, God, and what to read at night time. Right now, he is an open book ready to be filled with the knowledge, love, and awesomeness of God. He has even mentioned to Stephen and myslef to sit down with him a day or two a week and read and discuss the Bible. YESSSS!!!! That has been my prayer since accepting the job-even before i moved here. My prayer was for God to begin his miraculous works in the hearts of the residents that they will want to and long for his love and grace! How powerful and awesome! This only gives me hope and strength to keep on keeping on when the road gets hilly and bumpy. God has put me here for a reason and I am starting to fully recognize that. Yes, everyday is a challenge. Yes, this will be one of the-if not the toughest year of my life. Yes, I am prepared (at least I feel like I am). Yes, my strength in the Lord is stronger now than it has EVER been-which frankly I will need and want. Yes, this will be a rewarding year, as I will learn tons about myslef. My seatbelt is buckled and strapped on tightly. I am ready-I am the Lord's clay for the molding.
     Please continue to pray for the residents, staff and Heartlight as a whole.

Ephesians 2:10- For we are the workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, Which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.