God Bless

God Bless. People say it around here all the time. I have never used those words. I don't have any reason in particular, it is just not something I say.

Today has been a rough day. There have been good times, but I have also had some really hard times. I have done a lot of reminiscing. I have thought about a lot of things, but mostly the past 3 months and my summer here in New York. I have looked through old pictures from school also. I remembered the other day my first encounter with one of the girls at Graffiti 2. I wish I could remember all of them, but this one stuck out to me. The first thing I remember about Indirah was her hand shooting up with a question for Andrew. I learned later on that this was a frequent occurence. Andrew let her ask her question and she asked, "Who is that pretty girl over there?" I knew we would be good friends from the beginning.

I don't think I would have changed anything about my summer. I also want to point out a thought I had earlier this summer. I wouldn't have even been with Graffiti 2 if Mary, the former children's minister at Graffiti hadn't left to go to Kosovo. Originally when I thought of doing my practicum in New York, it was with Graffiti in Manhattan. Mary left and last summer her position hadn't been filled, so that is when my mom talked to Andrew and then I started talking to him about working with Graffiti 2. I know that my summer would have been completely different if I had been in Manhattan instead of the Bronx.

Today at church there was not a single staff member there. It was so strange and very very sad. I sat down and as soon as we started to sing I began to get emotional. I don't know what it was really, but it hit all at once. I thought about leaving and just going somewhere where I could be alone to cry. I tried to wipe the tears so no one would know, but I still cried basically the entire worship time. Once Vaughn got up to do the message I was fine. After church I went upstairs to the office to turn my keys in, along with Brian's. After that, I said bye to Glaucia and Lisa and went to get lunch. I got upset again as I was walking away from Graffiti. I walked through the park and went to Chipotle for lunch. I decided to eat there by myself and listen to music. I wasn't really self conscious like I normally would be. After lunch I went and got a pedicure. That made me feel a lot better! I felt like Elle on Legally Blonde except I didn't spill my guts to the little Asian lady. After that I walked around and I was going to use my American Eagle gift card, but I didn't find anything I wanted. After that I stopped at an ATM and headed back to Queens. I was still kinda sad and shed a couple tears on the subway (not because it was my last time on the J). I got home and eventually completely lost it. I was so incredibly upset and I didn't know what to do. I wanted to talk to someone but I didn't know who. I opened the envelope Deidre gave me when I left. It said on the front that it was for a time when I was really down and needed a pick me up. It was just an encouragement letter and it really did make me feel a little better. I cried for awhile and then finally stopped. I didn't want to think about packing or especially cleaning. Eventually I started feeling much better and did my reminiscing in a happy way. I read through all my blogs for the summer and I made a top ten list of the most memorable things this summer. I wrote down what I am looking forward to when I get back. I am constantly thinking about what I will miss, but I have to remind myself that this is only temporary and I have to be patient.

I have packed most of my clothes and I have taken my last shower in this apartment! I am so excited I don't have to go back to that nasty small shower ever again. I just finished cleaning it which was another project. On my list of things I am looking forward to I have my own bathroom and big shower, cable, my bed and amazing sheets, catching up with friends, driving, Dos Salsas, The Olive Branch, and of course, AIR CONDITIONING!!!!

I guess I will go ahead and share my Top 10 Most Memorable Moments:
10: The lingo of the Bronx. Some of my favorites are "yo", "mad", and "hops". My favorite combination of those was a quote I think I already shared, but one kid yelled, "Yo, Proof got mad hops" after he saw her jump for a ball. I really want to start saying mad. I don't use it here, but I am going to miss hearing it, so I might start saying it myself.
9: My first experience in NY with the guy in the airport who wanted to be friends.
8: Steam Pipe Explosion
7: Flooding in the subway that caused a 4 hour commute.
6: My phone getting stolen at football camp.
5: Being asked to be the godmother of Ashley's baby.
4: The shooting in the Bronx we saw the aftermath of.
3: Dragging a ton of luggage 9 blocks to Taylor and Susan's to find out the keys didn't work.
2: The Chinatown incident with Deidre
And of course.....


1: Passing out on the subway.

These are my most memorable, not my favorites. I think half of those wouldn't make my favorites list if I had one. Especially anything having to do with the subway and its delays.

I wish I would have written down how I felt about my summer going into it. I can't really remember what I expected, but I know it wasn't anything close to what I experienced. I have had such an amazing summer and I am so blessed to have this opportunity. Thank you to all who made it possible. Thank you to all who gave me money so I could live here for 3 months and eat. Thank you to all of you who prayed for me. Please continue to pray as I start to figure out how I am going to move back here. Thank you to all the people in New York who have blessed me with new relationships. Thank you other missionaries who I have loved getting to know and spend time with. I am missing everything already.

New York,
God Bless.