87%

As I started thinking about support raising again, I felt like it was important for me to know how I did for 2011. I got a printout of every donation that went towards my salary. I compared what came in to what I received as my salary for 2011 and found that 87% of my salary came from church and individual donations! I had no idea I had that much coming in. I felt like I was at about 60%, and felt defeated before even starting another "campaign".

That 87% counts what I received, not the taxes that Graffiti 2 had to pay in order to pay me. For 2012, my goal is to be able to cover all expenses G2 has related to my salary. That includes taxes and I am adding health insurance to my salary expenses this year. If you include that in the percentage, I'm at about 70% of my goal.

I'm feeling a lot less overwhelmed by it all. I know that God will continue to provide for me as long as I am called to Graffiti 2. It is really encouraging when you can actually see that with numbers!

Thank you to the many of you who have been part of that 87%. Whether it was a one time gift of $25 or a monthly gift of hundreds, it is crucial for me to reach my goal. For those who weren't part of the 87% in 2011, you have a chance to be part of 2012! Please prayerfully consider what your role can and should be! Maybe you aren't able to commit to a monthly amount, but you can send a one time, or every-now-and-then gift! Maybe you can commit to a monthly gift of $25. Maybe you can commit to a monthly gift of $100. Whatever your situation, you can commit to praying for me and the ministry of Graffiti 2. To help in that, make sure you are on my email list! If you are not, there is a spot on the top right of this blog where you can sign up to receive my emails, usually about once a month. I will update with stories and prayer requests so you can stay up to date with what's going on up here.

If you feel led to become part of my support team, you can donate online at G2's website, (where you can set up automatic monthly donations or one time gifts) or send a check to:
PO Box 541559
Bronx, NY 10454

Either way, just note in the memo that it is designated for my support. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Support Raising: Round 2

It has been almost a year since my first major support raising initiative. When I went through all my contacts in the first round, I felt stuck and wasn't sure what my next steps were supposed to be. Now that it's been almost a year, I feel like I need to do another round, updating people on current needs, and seeing if I can get more partners on board.

I'm not exactly sure where to start with this. I did the letter/phone strategy last year and it got me a good start, but I'm not as close to my goal as I'd like to be. Do I try the same thing hoping for better results? That doesn't seem to make much sense, so do I try something different? If so, what is that thing? The entire G2 staff is in the same boat as I am, so I'm trying to think about something that we could all do individually with our contacts, but work together in. I've thought about some sort of video campaign through facebook, etc. that people could easily share with others to get our stories out.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

New Year, New Update

If you check in with my blog often or rarely, you probably notice the same thing... I'm terrible at updating it! Part of me enjoys writing, but the other part won't take the time to actually do it!

Since I haven't posted since October, I'll try to highlight what's happened since then.

November: Can't remember much about November except for Thanksgiving week. Thanksgiving week at G2 is one of the best weeks of the year. We have Norm and Debbie Cannada's group from West Virginia working with us. Monday we do an evangelism training, Tuesday we host a T-giving dinner for the community (this year we partnered with Betances), Wednesday we assemble and distribute boxes full of T-giving food to families in our programs and others in the neighborhood, and Wednesday night we help serve at the T-giving dinner in Manhattan. This year, I had a guest with me! Jo Lynn is from Texas and read about G2 in the On Mission article nearly 2 years ago. Last year she worked with us for a couple of days while she was visiting the city with friends. This year she wanted to come back and work with us for the whole week! It was fun having her around for the week.

Thanksgiving day we slept in, relaxed and watched the parade, then went downtown to enjoy another Thanksgiving meal with friends.

That night we went out to do black Friday shopping for G2's Christmas! It is always fun shopping for the kids and people weren't even crazy! Everyone was friendly, and employees were super helpful!

December: December was filled with all this Christmas. First was preparing for the after school Christmas parties, also known as "Happy Birthday Jesus Party" (don't get me started on that one...) We were also preparing for the Christmas Celebration with puppet show practices and getting shoebox gifts ready.

I spent some time in Texas with my family for Christmas. It was a great trip, but I was looking forward to getting back. I got back a couple days early before programs started and I was very thankful to catch up on sleep and relax! I spent New Year's Eve with a couple of girls from my community group.

Now I'm back in the swing of things. I'm not setting a goal to blog more, but I might try to think about it more often!

Community

In August I set a goal for myself to make friends in New York. Even though I've been living here for 3 1/2 years, the only people I hang out with are the people I work with. God has provided me with amazing girl friends that worked at Graffiti 2 also, and I was very content with that. Coming back for the fall, I knew that I had to go out and make friends because the girls that were once here, were not anymore. I was a little nervous about breaking out of the Bronx, but also excited because I knew it was something I needed to sustain me long term. I started by attending a couple Sunday evening services. It didn't take long for me to find Apostles Church. I enjoyed the services and for the first time in a long time, I went because I wanted to, not because I was expected to, or had responsibilities at church.

As much as I enjoyed the services, I knew that I wouldn't really meet people unless I got involved in a community group. Last weekend, Morgan was here visiting. On Saturday we went out to Queens to this farm and corn maze. It was pretty far out there, but it was fun. While we were in the maze, I see the group that leads worship at Apostles. I truly believe God placed them at that corn maze, way out in Queens, to encourage me to sign up for a community group.

That night when I got home, I went online to register. I got a confirmation email, but still didn't know any details about the group except for the day and time they met. Tuesday morning I was thinking about whether or not I'd go to the community group that night. I still didn't know where they met, so I'd have to email to find out. A couple hours later I get an email from one of the leaders saying that they were going to carve pumpkins that night for their community group. I figured that'd be a great way to get started and it sounded fun! Right after work, I dropped my stuff off at home, and picked up a pumpkin on my way to the upper east side. I had a great time and I'm so thankful that I've been able to be obedient even when I haven't felt like it.

Pinterest Reviews

Since I've joined the Pinterest obsession, I've been trying plenty of new recipes. Some are great and others were disappointing. Here are my reviews for what I've tried so far:

Lemon-7 UP Cake
This was super easy! It tasted yummy and was a light dessert. I would make it again if I wanted something quick and lemon-y!

Weight Watchers Blueberry Peach Cobbler
This one was a disappointment. I love cobblers but this one was more like a cake with peaches in it. I couldn't find blueberries, so I just did peach. I wouldn't make it again.

Green Smoothies
I am in love with these! I've heard of them before, but was too scared to try them. I decided to go for it and I'm a big fan. They are really easy to make, and there are so many options. I put whatever fruit I have (frozen or fresh), a couple spoonfuls of plain greek yogurt, ice, spinach, and a little juice. It's fun seeing the weird colors I can make!

Dr. Pepper Ice Cream
My mom made this before I came back to New York. It tasted just like a Dr. Pepper float. I'd make it again if I had an ice cream maker! Easy to do also!

Snickerdoodle Cupcakes
This was a from scratch recipe, which I rarely do. I like things to be as quick and easy as possible. This wasn't too complicated, but it did take awhile. You have to scoop out the dough/cake mix and coat it with a cinnamon/sugar mixture. I love snickerdoodles and this turned out pretty good. I might try another recipe next time since I've seen a few out there.

Strawberry Shortcake Sushi
This was such a fun thing to eat! It is a bit of a process to make, but it is worth it for entertaining! It tasted great too! You have to do this in a couple of steps. The cake is made from scratch, then it bakes and cools for at least an hour. Then you make the filling and roll it. It needs to set and chill for awhile before you cut it. Make sure you roll the cake right or it will be very difficult for the roll to stay together.

Broccoli Salad
I have made this twice and it has been a hit. If you buy whole broccoli heads, you have to cut them up. If you buy regular bacon, it takes awhile to cook. I did the fully cooked bacon which saved a lot of time. This is something that can easily be made the night before and left in the fridge.

Jello Poke Cupcakes
I made these with a white cake mix and lime jello. I was a little disappointed by these. They tasted fine, but I was wanting more jello texture in there.

I know these reviews aren't very detailed, but you get the main idea. I have a couple more I am planning on trying soon! For recipes, here is my food pinboard. http://pinterest.com/ashley_emmert/food/

All Because of a Piece of Bread and a Sip of Juice

Last night at Agape Feast, we did the Lord’s Supper at the end, like usual. The way we approach it with kids and teenagers under the age of 18 is if they are not a Christ follower or have not talked directly with Andrew about the significance of the Lord’s Supper, we ask them to not participate. While the juice was being passed, there were 3 of our 3rd grade boys sitting closely to one another. Two of the boys received the bread and juice and the other one did not. The one that did not receive it was Michael. After the Agape Feast was over, he was still very upset and crying. Andrew went over and tried to explain it to him, but he was still upset.

Today when I went to pick up the kids from school, I saw Carol, Michael’s mother. I asked if she was picking him up and she said that he was still upset about what happened at the Agape Feast and he asked her to come and walk with him to after school. After we got back to program, he was mad and was not going to free time. Carol talked to me for a minute and felt like he was just acting out because she was there. I asked her to leave for today and come back and volunteer tomorrow. When she left, I went over and started talking to Michael. He didn’t want to tell me why he was mad, so I started asking a series of questions. I discover that he was still upset about not getting the bread and “wine” as he called it. I try to explain why he didn’t get it, and he tried explaining how he felt about it, but was having a hard time. He started writing things like “I can’t go to church because I get bored and can’t stay quiet, but I love God.” We talk through it a little more and then I received some divine inspiration. I asked Michael if he would like to have Noah, one of the boys that received it, explain it to him and what it means to him. He didn’t want to at first, but later agreed. When Noah walked in, I talked to him briefly and he said he would talk to Michael. I bring him over to get them started, and asked if he wanted me to stay or to leave. Michael said I could go, so the two of them talked the entire free time. By this time, Andrew had come over to the program. I briefly caught him up and he asked if I wanted him to pull Michael aside and talk with him. I thought that would be a great idea, because I knew once we started homework, I’d be interrupted too much. We were about to start Bible study and Michael asks Andrew if he could read the Bible during Bible study instead of doing what the group was doing. From what I heard, I think Noah’s summary to Michael was to read the Bible and God will let you know when it is time for you to talk to your parents, or Ashley, or Andrew about asking God to come into your life. Whatever was said, Michael wanted to do whatever it took! So, during Bible study, Andrew and Michael moved away from the group and talked for a bit. Despite serious distractions from a game the rest of the group was playing and our daily “Move to the Groove” warm-up, Michael prayed to receive Christ!

I am grateful I saw this as an opportunity early, but I was very cautious because I didn’t want him to pray a prayer so he could get the piece of bread and a sip of juice at the next Agape Feast. From our conversation, it was clear that he genuinely loves God and wants God to be in his life. This is his third year in after school and even as a first grader this kid has been soaking up our Bible study lessons. I really don’t know if I can express what he was feeling with my words. He was so sincere about loving God and wanting him in his life, but felt like it couldn’t happen if he wasn’t at church, and that he couldn’t go to church and sit still and stay quiet. I pray we all desire God that much.

A Cinderella Story...

This weekend I spent a lot of time cleaning and organizing. It started last weekend, but I really got into it this weekend. My apartment stays generally clean, but things were getting cluttered and it was driving me crazy. Last weekend I bought a file box and organized all my so-called important documents. I also cleaned out my bathroom and reorganized it. This weekend I started with the floors. I bought a mop a few years ago, but it broke the first time I used it. Most of the time when I clean the floors I use the swiffer and the wet sheets. This time I used the real cleaner, but that meant I had to use a sponge instead of a mop. :) I literally spent hours on my hands and knees cleaning the floor. I also did my own version of vacuuming. I have a little vacuum that was donated to me, but it doesn't work well. I also have a little dust buster. For my rug in the living room I brush it with the dust pan brush (after I clean it off) to collect the hair. Then I go back with the little dust buster to "vacuum". More time on my hands and knees.

Then I decided I was ready for a window by my couch again. (I've had a temp window made of wood that had my ac unit in it for the past 3 months.) I started taking it apart and pulled the unit out. The last part was the frame that was custom built (and very fitted). I started unscrewing the screws, but they weren't moving and I stripped most of them completely. So now I am stuck with a huge opening in my wall! I called for some help and we ended up breaking a couple replaceable pieces to get it out. I am happy to have my window back and I can enjoy the nice fall weather we've had this weekend!

Later that night I went through my closet and dresser and pulled out things I don't wear anymore to make room for what I do wear! I had a few visitors come by and take most of what I want to get rid of! I'm still not completely finished. My upstairs is still a mess. I'm not sure when I will be motivated to work on that.

After all this, I am looking through pinterest and I see this Martha Stewart cleaning calendar split into weekly tasks and monthly ones. I look through the weekly one and it lists EVERYTHING I spent a whole weekend doing! I have a little 450 sq. foot apartment and it took me a day and a half do get it mostly clean. This list is more than what a weekly maid would do! Martha Stewart, GET REAL!

So that was my glamorous, Cinderella story of a weekend. I know this is the exciting post you've been waiting for since July. :)