Goodbyes

Sunday I went to St. Francis to see Jersey.  She showed me her new bike that she won.  We took some pictures together.  Knowing I won't have time to see her again before I leave, I got her PO box number because she wants to be pen-pals.  Saying goodbye for now, I gave her a hug.

Monday morning was my last day at WBCWS.  I typed grant finance papers.  Then talked with some of the residents.  When time was almost up, I went back to the offices to say goodbye to staff.  As a thanks for volunteering, WBCWS staff gave me a dream catcher shaped like a buffalo skull.

Over my lunch, Mandy, Nicole, and I went to the pawn shop-probably for the last time this summer.  I bought a couple kids movies for another girl's day at Boys and Girls Club.  Haggling, I (hopefully) got a good deal on a gift for my little brother.

Around 6, Mandy and I went to a Superhero Night in He Dog for kids.  There were tons of games and prizes, kids dressed as batman, and good food like pizza.  Mandy and I ran the cupcake walk; winners got superhero cupcakes.  Daisy met us at there.  We face-painted each other.  After it was over, we went to Melany and Bethany's house for ice cream.  I washed off the face-paint at their house, but it had stained my face.  The rest of the night I had a pink beard and blue "LOL" across my forehead.  I felt gorgeous!  I don't think I'll see Bethany and Melany again before I leave, so I said goodbye.  Hok Te Win [Scruffy Dog Woman] was not near the porch when I left, so I did not get to say goodbye to the cutest ugly-dog I've ever seen.

Daisy, Mandy, and I came back home for a sleepover.  I washed my face again, but was still stained. Daisy taught me some Lakota words and how to rabbit dance like she and her mom do at pow wows.  We ended the night with the movie, Mean Girls.  

This morning, I made Daisy and I pancakes and washed my face a lot.  It finally all washed off!  Then we went to the grocery store to buy ice cream for girl's day.

At Boys and Girls Club, we painted, made a salad out of the lettuce we grew, ate ice cream, and watched Bridge to Terabithia.  Mid-day, Daisy's mom picked her up.  I said my goodbyes to them too.

Now, it is gloriously raining!  It's a night to stay indoors.  Without many indoor places to hang out, I might just stay in tonight and be lazy.

Saying all these goodbyes is sad, but I will probably see many of these people again!  I've already made plans to come back and visit my new friends.

Paulmart

Thursday morning I went to a teen conference that some WBCWS staff were going to be speaking for. The conference wasn't exactly what I expected, but I still learned some cool stuff.  I got to see a lot of friends I've made through WBCWS and Boys and Girls Club.  I sat by a couple friends I made at the zombie lock-in.  Between speakers, I learned how to use a lasso.  I got...okay at it.  It was a good time.  After the conference, I went home.  I had dinner plans, but I unfortunately got sick.  Canceling most my plans for Friday, I recovered.  I accomplished almost nothing Friday.  Feeling well, I went to a fire later Friday night.

Saturday I felt awesome!  I am so glad that I got well so fast!  I spent most of Saturday chilling at home with Mandy.  Around 5, Mandy and I went to the St. Francis Museum, something cool to see before we leave.  When we found the museum, it was closed.  So Mandy and I took pictures like we were tourists.  Next we went to Ghost Hawk (a body of water lake/river) where a group had taken kids from St. Francis to swim.  We found a small body of water that looked like a dam; we did not find anyone though.  So we took more pictures like tourists and left.  [Later we found out we were at the dam; on the other side of the street is the river where everyone was hanging out.]  Then we went to Paulmart!  Mandy and I have wanted to go to Paulmart for a long time because of the name.  In reality, it's just a gas station with a lot of the basic food nessesities: frozen pizza, baby food, the stuff you can make an okay meal out of, etc.  After I payed for my tea, cottage cheese, and sour cream, the man said "wopila."  I didn't know what "wopila" meant, so I smiled and nodded.  Then I asked my friend its meaning.  "Wopila" means "thank you."  Which means a nod and a smile is a fairly appropriate response!

After dinner, we went to Boys and Girls Club for a bonfire.  A group from a Bible collage in Oklahoma did worship.  Everyone had a good time.  Mandy, Bailey, and I hung out.  Bailey tried to teach Glen a Native song.  Then he showed us a song banned from a local radio station for being racist.  Bailey thinks Tim McGraw's Indian Outlaw is funny and knows most the words.  I think it's pretty catchy, plus I like Tim McGraw.

I have a week left here.  I plan to make the best of it!  I've already made a few plans.

Volleyball

Monday night I went to Parmelee park with Melany, Bethany, and Mandy to teach pre-teen aged girls volleyball.  There was a wide range of skill levels.  I spent a while teaching one girl how to bump.  I helped an eighth-grader work on her setting form.

Tuesday night in Parmelee, no girls came.  Sad.  Instead we played a game with a bunch of younger kids.  It was a lot of fun.  One girl brought her puppy, so I held it.

Today, I worked with a girl on bumping and then setting.  She can now tell me what she did wrong when her set is off.  Seeing your error is the first step to getting better!  She was setting really well for a good amount of time!  Then we all played a game.  It started out 4 on 5.  Then more kids from the community joined.  Then we had some spectators.  Then I almost hit a horse with a volleyball...I was trying to save it...oops!  After the net was taken down, Mandy and I stayed for a bit.  We hung out with Glen, a couple girls visiting South Dakota from Illinois, and a boy I met at the zombie lock-in.  It was good!

It was a lot of fun spending the time in Parmelee and playing volleyball.

Riding Horse

Friday night, Keyanee and Echo stayed the night at our house.  During the fun night, Keyanee asked for a dance party.  Music playing, they were reluctant to dance with us.  After relentless persuasion, they both danced with me.  After dancing, I went outside where Keyanee and Jonathan were playing basketball.  Mary (my friend who does camp for Parmelee kids) was lying on the driveway looking up at the stars.  I lied down beside her with my face skyward.  Eventually Jonathan joined us.  The three of us talked about life, God, and ministry.  Deep in conversation, I enjoyed the starry night.  

Saturday I went horseback riding with Mandy and Nicole.  My friend, Bailey, took us with the help of his friend, Gabe.  It was so much fun!  I'm not very good at riding horse; I struggled to get my horse to go fast.  Myself as an opponent, Mandy won the "slowest horse race [Bailey] has ever seen."  Surrounded by beautiful scenery, I not-so-elegantly rode.  I enjoyed perfect weather with lightning flashing in the distance.

I spent the rest of my Saturday going to church at Door of Hope, reading, and watching New in Town with Mandy.

This morning, I went to church in Winner (45 minutes away) with Melany.  Winner Assemblies of God held its service at the park today.  It was a perfect day for it.  During service, two Christ followers gave their testimonies.  After service, I met Pastor Randy, his wife, and daughter.  They invited Melany and I over for lunch.  The meal was great: roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and watermelon.  I loved talking with Melany on the way back from church.  

I asked Melany if she would like to do a volleyball camp for Parmelee girls with me this week.  We decided to do it Monday through Thursday of this week at 7pm.  While in Winner, Melany and I shopped for a volleyball net.  Melany, Bethany, and I will be doing a volleyball camp for pre-teen aged girls.  I will be the one teaching (or coaching I guess).  I am very excited to do this!  While I was at the zombie lock-in a week ago, I taught a young girl how to bump and set.  When I had to go, I told her "You were already getting good; keep practicing and someday you'll be really good."  When I said this,  her face lit up.  That makes me want to teach more girls.  Many kids here have so much potential.  I want to show them that, then maybe they will pursue it.

Tonight I plan to hang out with Lyric before church.  Then Lyric and I will go pick up Melany.  After church, I will walk around Parmelee and tell girls about volleyball camp.

I really only blog about events, but not relationships I'm building.  I can't blog about relationships because that is not for the world to see.  Building relationships with others is the most important thing I'm doing.  The events I blog about are not the reason I'm going to miss this place so much; the people are who I'm going to miss.  It's the individual who I can be a light to.  

Accumulation of Knowledge

Last night, Nicole had three girls over.  After I finished blogging, I went outside to see what they were all up to.  I found the four of them dying their hair with koolaid on the driveway.  I once tried this with Ariel, my cousin, a couple years ago.  It didn't work.  Apparently, you have to have boiling water, not cold.  It was working for the girls!  They told me I'd look awesome with pink bangs.  I decided to go for it, but pink lemonade didn't stick.  We used cherry next.  I only left my bangs in for two minutes.  They (after showering once) are still red tinted!

I often blog about what I've been doing, but not what I've been reading.  I typically contemplate writing about it, but decide not to. This post is dedicated to my recent accumulation of knowledge.

I've been reading the book Gospel by JD Greear.  It is extremely good!  If you want to understand the gospel better or "reintroduce" yourself to it, I highly recommend this book.  Referred to me by a pastor, Gospel helps reveal how sinful I am and how amazing God is.

"Only in the truths of the gospel can a heart turned in on itself burst alive in love for God."

"An idol is not necessarily a bad thing. It's usually a good thing that we've made into a god-thing that then becomes a bad thing to us."

"When Paul thought about a need for grace, he didn't think of others first-he thought of himself."

"As You have been to me, so I will be to others."

The last quote is referring to God and his grace for us.  That is then related to forgiving others.  It is a prayer.

Lakota Journey interns have weekly reading assignments that are chapters from various books.  Once read, us four interns discuss them.   Yesterday we had our weekly discussion about a chapter from Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance.  In the chapter an Indian grandpa is teaching his grandson about life's up's and down's.

"The fact is, the sun does not always shine.  Gentle breezes can grow into tornados.  Too much rain can lead to flood, and too much sunshine causes the drought.  Life is life-it is what it is.  It offers no certainties, except that it will go on with or without you. The sun will rise and set every day. Though clouds obscure your perception and you do not see it coming up and going down, it will do so nonetheless.  So do the seasons follow their unerring cycle, waiting for no one or nothing.  The seasons turn into years and the years into ages.  Neither waiting nor caring if you join them, but never denying your choice to do so. They will go, and so must you because your journey is waiting.  And in your journey you will learn reality and balance."

I've also been reading Esther, Matthew, and pamphlets from WBCWS that relate to what I want to do.

Now I will stop blogging because some lovely girls, including Keyanee (refer to my last post if you don't remember her), just arrived for a sleepover.  Already painting our nails while pizza is in the oven.  This will be a fun night!

Tomorrow, I might go horseback riding!

An Omen

Sometimes the start of your day reflects how the rest of the day will be; sometimes that is not the case.

Our medicine cabinet is mounted on the wall behind our toilet.  I have a fear that I will drop something (toothbrush, toothpaste, face soup, etc.) into the toilet.  As I was brushing my teeth this morning, I tried to place my toothbrush holder in the cabinet.  Being groggy like I am most mornings, I fumbled it.  Helplessly I watched as my toothbrush holder splashed into the toilet.  Ewwwww!  My obvious next thought: "Really?  Is this how this day is going to be?"  But wait!  I have good news: toothbrush holders float!  I immediately grabbed it and washed it off...I've yet to put my toothbrush back in it.  (I think I'll wash it a couple more times first.)  After showering, I found out I'm not the only one who dropped something in the toilet this morning.  I won't say who or what though.

I then went to St. Francis to pick up girls for girl's day at Boys and Girls Club.  I went to Daisy's house and found out she wasn't there.  After, I went to Keyanee's house.  I ended up with a full car of girls heading to Mission.  When I got to Boys and Girls Club, Daisy was already there!  That made me very happy!  The events of girl day:

-Water colored.

-Painted our nails.  Painted by a six year old, my nails are green with sparkles.  They look pretty good!

-Watched A Cinderella Story.  I bought it at the pawn shop yesterday.

-Ate ice cream and chocolate during the movie.

-Had a contest to see who could draw the best princess.  After painting Fiona, the winner got candy.

-"Dead Body" contests in the bowling lanes.  This is a new game as of today.  You drag your laying-down partner by the hands down the lane.  When the "dead" partner can tap the part above where the pins go, you switch being "dead."  Whoever gets back across the black line first wins.  Basically, a relay race of dragging your partner.  I won 3 of 4 times.  The fourth time my six-year-old partner gave up and called me fat.  I was impressed that she got me half down the lane!

-Then the boys returned.  The girls generously shared their chocolate and ice cream with the boys.

On the way back home, we started talking about boys.  Keyanee and I made a deal (that we shook on!) neither of us will date another boy till we turn 18.  The other girls thought that wasn't fair since I'm older by a lot.  But I disputed its fairness.  Awesome deal!  It's pointless when you are young anyways...especially 11.

I came home to tacos.  Thank you, Mandy!  

Good day!

Maybe dropping my toothbrush holder in the toilet wasn't a sign of a bad day; perhaps the fact that it floated was the omen of a good one!

Birds

Yesterday at Boys and Girls Club, I did a lot of water coloring with a couple little girls.  I now have many more pictures to hang; they also received many pictures from me.  While eating popcorn, we all watched Chicken Little.  Then we played in the old bowling alley.

After dinner, Mandy and I went to the pawn shop!!...but it was closed.  We crossed the parking lot to Family Dollar so I could get face wash.  The local grocery store didn't have any.  I could not find face wash in Family Dollar either!  Mandy and I searched the whole store.  Giving up, I got in the check-out line with plans to use Mandy's.  That's when I saw the face wash at the very front of the store!  We got ice cream and candy too!  We then went home and watched One Night With the King, the story of Esther.  I do not know how incredibly accurate the movie was, so now I need to read the book of Esther soon.

After a meeting for assault, I went to Boys and Girls Club.  When I arrived, the kids were at the pool.  Arriving at Mission pool, I was greeted by Redgirl and several other kids.  Without a swimsuit, the kids tried convincing me I don't need one to swim.  They got me sufficiently wet by splashing me and giving me wet hugs.  Since I still had my car, I drove back to the Club while the kids walked with other adults.  After reading time, we did a craft: draw your favorite plant.  Richard and I drew a tree together (it looks pretty sweet).  

Friday before the zombie lock-in, I hit a gorgeous yellow and black bird.  It died.  Today, on the way home, I was admiring an awesome black and grey bird with really long legs.  Then it flew under my car tire: it died too.  Since I am very prone to hitting them, birds should fear me.

Poor birds...