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.