#ItsAboutToGetReal

     This time a year ago I was full of nerves and out of my mind excited to see what God was up to in my life. It was the first time I went on my own personal mission trip, no one I knew came with me, I was determined to follow God's calling for my own life, not just the lives of those I spend time with. I left on the Saturday before Columbus Day to spend the next week in Chicago to see if this is really where I was meant to be. Ms. Tay Tay, J.D., and I helped Ms. Pearl with the homeless ministry on Sunday morning. My favorite memory from that weekend was a new found favorite treat of mine, McDonald's warm chocolate chip cookies, we ate over a dozen in one setting! The week was filled with learning the ropes, everyone's names, and how in the world God would use me in this environment. My heart overflows with gratitude as He patiently worked with me over the next few months and helped me reach the point where all I had left to do was to take that leap of faith and follow Him. I have been extremely blessed by the people He has surrounded me with and I have learned so much about what it means to follow Him and step out in boldness for His glory. I am far from perfect, but He has provided opportunities for me to grow and has called me out in areas that are in desperate need of His grace. I am amazed at how much love He has shared with me through the moms, coworkers, and these precious children. There are times I feel so unworthy of all the joy I receive from everyone here; they truly have no idea what an impact they have made in my life. I praise God for the year I have had and look forward to how the rest of my time here will unfold. 
     I can't believe what was once a beautiful, green yard filled with excited children playing on the playset is now a huge brick building with a completed roof, painted walls, designed floors, and divinely blessed by the God who has foreseen this entire project. I praise Him for how He has provided for this ministry and truly blown us all away by His insane ability to show up when we all least expect it. I never get tired of hearing how He pulls through in such out of the ordinary ways. 
    Instead of trying to describe in great detail all of the things and people that are making my time here so memorable, I thought I would share a few pictures of the life I live up here. With every face you see, please lift up a prayer for them, God loves these precious souls so much and I couldn't imagine this world without them. Praise Him for the blessing they are and may they be greatly blessed in return for all they have done for me. 

Their new favorite thing every time they see my phone!
"Ms. Wendy, let's take a selfie!"

Feeling defeated by MATH! (I need to go back to school for it!)

Ms. Pearl let the kids "sneak" into the new building! :)

She loved being the tour guide, she is just as excited as the kids are!

They went in every room and jumped for joy!!!! (It was the sweetest thing!)

#oneofakind  

Have no idea where I would be without my roommates!
God has truly blessed my life with these two!

   We are in the end stages of the building project and are hoping for our grand opening to be the first of November. It will be chaotic as we near the final days at the old daycare, but the excitement is growing by the day and the smile on Ms. Pearl's face gets bigger and bigger as God brings her closer to the vision He shared with her so long ago. What an honor it has been to be involved in God's work and to see Him use so many people to accomplish the impossible! And despite the craziness, there is a sense of hope and excitement that is bubbling to the surface as we all think about what will be in store for us in the new building. It's about to get real!!