March Update from the girls

It looks like we are in Arizona a bit more permanently than we thought.  (I thought a driving picture would be fitting here)


Some amazing things have been happening.  On February 3rd, Selah and I were kicked out of the house we lived in and had to call the police to mediate.  The police could not even understand why a single mom and her daughter were being put on the street at night on a Friday night.  It was very traumatic with the homeowners screaming at me in front of Selah, to the point of her bursting into tears and continuing to say today that she is afraid of them.  We did not know where we were going to stay and were pretty frightened.  It seems things get the darkest before they get the brightest...


Just two weeks after this, Selah and I were accepted into an amazing program for women.  The rent is based on income, and many women live rent free as they look for work.  They have free internet, they gave Selah and I a computer, they have childrens activities free.  They have financial planning classes, parenting classes, help with attaining life goals and volunteer work.  Last week they had a teen dance group come into campus and had crafts, food, all free!  It's amazing.  Before that, God opened the door for us to live with a phenomenal couple who took us in with no notice, gave us our own room on one side of the house, made us feel safe and even took Selah as their own (for awhile).  I worried that being with other children only to suddenly be without, would be traumatic for her but they had two small dogs who just filled right in :-). 


Two weeks ago, I had a pastor approach me and ask me to teach about Passover next month and teach the congregation a Messianic dance.  I was shocked, still am a bit.  That is something I have always wanted to do.  I had hoped to do more with YWAM but it seems God prefers to open the doors Himself rather than me force the issue, lol. 


I had hoped to get involved with the sex and human trafficking with YWAM also.  I may still.  But, in the meantime, I also heard from the volunteer coordinator with a ministry called Streetlight that works with the same issue right here in the states, in Phoenix.  They have asked me to teach fitness classes and just help the other staff with loving on the girls.  I have yet to hear back on when and what exactly but I sure am excited either way.   Please pray that I ready myself for this and the Messianic teaching opportunity as much as I can on my part and that I walk only through the doors He opens.  I've spent many years with passions that were indeed from Him, but that I made happen in my own personality. 


The other blessing from being accepted into this womens facility, is that they have an incredible school right on campus!  It's Pre-K and I only have a $15 a week co-pay.  The program is the best school I found after many tours and even a few weeks in another daycare.  I feel very safe with her there and her dad has begun to help fill in the gaps.  He comes early on the days I have to be at work before they open and spends the early mornings with her.  He also spends time with her so I can teach my fitness classes twice a week.  This is another huge miracle, as many of you may know and some guess.  Good. 

At school ach week they have "all about me" in a bag and Selah chose to share about the Esthers Ball we went to.  She brought in this picture and a few others of our hand puppets of Haman and Esther.  I have a funny story about her a school too: I came to pick her up and she and two others were having a snack so I asked if I could sit and snack with them.  When I did, Selah informed me that the other girl told her she would not get any presents if she didn't celebrate christmas.  The teacher then said they had had a heated argument about this (they are all 4 and one 5).  I watched as they got right back into it.  Selah said she gets 8 presents on Hanukkah and that Santa is not alive anymore.  The other girl said he must be "because he came and gave me presents last year".  Selah then said "__________!  He is dead! That was your dad dressed up!" The little girl and her then argued some more on this santa issue until finally Selah said "ahhh! All this talk of santa is giving me a headache, I am done with this conversation!" I about rolled out of my chair laughing.  I said to her, "honey, that's why some things I just don't talk alot about, I feel the same way". 

Later, she said she was right (as we all think we are).  So, I said "well, even if you are right, it is more important to let things go and keep your friends sometimes".  I tied in the story of how Haman thought he was right about Mordecai and how he could not, would not accept their differences and let his anger carry him away.  He got so angry he became violent and then that violence turned against him in the end.  She agreed she didn't want that to happen.  Big stuff for a 4 year old in her 2nd week at school.  But, the teachers all agreed it's good for them to challenge what they believe and think without adult intervention.  I think so too.

We have actively been seeking a home congregation and I think we may have found one this week.  We have also been attending some Jewish Temples for Tot Shabbat and the festival of Purim.  Purim is from the book of Esther and traditionally, children dress up like Esther, or the King, or just a fun costume.  You give to charity, hand out candy and bake a special triangle cookie named after the "evil" Haman from the story in the Biblical account.  Selah had a blast!!  She and I made butterfly cardboard masks, decorated them with feathers and diamonds, and then wore them to the "ball".  She put on her glass slippers, carried a jeweled purse and put on her finest princess dress.  We watched a play, ate pizza, had face painting and got fake swords made of ballons of which we pretend sword fought.  Here is one of the pictures from the "ball". 


So, the goal now is to get my Personal Training Certificate in the next few months, get started on my Bachelors in Education at Asu in the summer and graduate in the next 18-24 months.  I hope to volunteer at Streetlight, continue teaching Turbo Kick Group fitness classes and find a good Kindergarten for Selah.  I'd like to get back to Oregon at some point but I leave it all to God.  If you feel led to support us, please do.  We miss our extended family and please do call and email.  Shalom!