My good gosh. Yesterday it felt like forever ago and today it feels like tomorrow is coming too soon. Life is wacky, weird, hard, and incredibly beautiful too. How does this work? Not sure but I just keep thinking, “May we never loose our wonder” and man, “God you are good through it all, my understanding is secondary”.
Currently I am still working at Bethany Christian Services in Grand Rapids in the Refugee Foster Care department and have really grown to love, love, love, what I do there. Though it can be difficult at times, I find myself walking out of the building saying, “Thank you Jesus for another day here at Bethany”. The youth I work with are incredibly resilient, goofy, and as they have become more accustomed to the US lifestyle, their personalities have really started to beam in ways I hadn’t seen before. Whether it be in a car ride to the store for groceries or sitting in a classroom, the youth will often hear “Miss Kailey” help correct them with the right grammar, spelling, or pronunciations of words.. and oh my gosh, this tends to bring so much laughter out of all of us in the process! I love my job so much it doesn’t really feel like a job all that often. Along with work in Grand Rapids, I recently picked up another serving job at the same sushi restaurant that I had been working at before in effort to save $ upon return into the US after the world race journey. This has helped significantly in preparing for my return in the future and I plan to continue to work both jobs up until I depart for the journey starting in 2018.
I have to admit, @ first I was not a big fan of working 7 days a week, over 60 h0urs in this season, but something shifted in me a couple weeks ago that changed it all. In a matter of 2 days I learned that several of the (17 year old) refugee youth I work with were sending the money they made from their part time employment across the world to their homeland to help their families get fed, have housing, and survive. Through a conversation with another staff member, in a different context I found out that they too, were sending large portions of the checks they make to families back in their home country. This hit me to the core hard and I thought to myself, wow I am CHOOSING to pursue this World Race Opportunity and because of that I am working this much, they on the other hand do not have a CHOICE… they are doing that to help families and loved ones survive. Humbling? Oh yes. Game Changer? You bet. My biggest hope is that this investment on such a journey will change me forever to be a more compassionate, hardworking, grateful individual, using the experiences I have to help in whatever capacity would have the most positive and lasting impact in whatever path I may pursue in the future occupationally. I know I am just one small gal, but someone once told me its simply the heart posture that counts and stopping for the one in front of you. My heart is to do EVERYTHING I can to possibly spread hope, joy, and love to this hurting but still hope filled world and sometimes I feel like my heart might burst for the potential I see in every person no matter what! Don’t let me go on a rant now or I wont stop. 😉 Moral of the story, there are so many world changers out here!
Big events coming up in the future?!
Minnesota Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, September 16th located at 3843 Queen Avenue N Minneapolis MN, from 5-8PM. For all you Minnesotans, I hope to see you there and catch up over some yummy soup, salad, and sweets!
Chicago Marathon takes place on October 8th 2017! My goal is to simply have the most fun possible running 26.2 miles and to finish! For all you Chicago friends, I am SO looking forward to seeing you that weekend!
For those of you Grand Rapids/Holland Area coming up…
ROLLER SKATE NIGHT FUNDRIASER @ THE RINK! Date and time TBA SOON. The owner has made an agreement to set aside 2 hours of skating with $5.00 Admission to anyone and everyone to come skate in order to help financially support myself in the World Race Journey! WOW. $3 of every $5 made will be donated directly to the fund. oh my gosh!
SHOPPING DAY FUNDRAISER @ GREAT LAKES SPA OFF RIVER AVENUE Date and Time TBA SOON. The owner has made an agreement to set one day of sales made at the store, 50-100% of proceeds donated towards the World Race Journey! WOW.
POSSIBLE DINNER FUNDRAISER @ LOCAL RESTURANT AND OR HOUSE! Date, place and time TBA SOON.
I couldn’t do it without you guys in m life so thank you, thank you, thank you!
Financial Breakdown Update: The numbers are getting lower!
Total Amount needed left: $6,000. As always, if interested in financially supporting me in this journey you can ad I would be so grateful (but are never obligated!!!;)
Until next time, friend
May God Bless and Keep you, and may peace abound all around and in you today. YOU ROCK AND DONT FORGET IT!!!!!
With lots of love, Kailey B.
