Being a living example

This morning, one of my girls Arriana came to church with me. Arriana and I have developed a great relationship, which has really surprised me. She is only 11, but we have a lot in common and for some reason, she really looks up to me. We hang out quite a bit, and she calls all the time just to talk!
I've realized recently that Arriana likes to immitate a lot of stuff that I do. It's little things like the way I dress, watching the Pistons (I even have her finally agreeing that Tayshaun Prince is their best:o), food etc. When it comes to spiritual things, Arriana isn't very open. She usually gets bored or changes the subject fast. When I give her tidbits of "advice" she usually shrugs it off.
I was surprised at how excited she was to come to church. She even had her dad drop her back off in Highland Park last night so she could be here this morning to go.
Having her come to church this morning got me thinking as to how God can use her desire to be more like me to draw her to Himself. If I can be a good role model and someone she looks up to, I pray someday, her eyes can be open to the fact what she sees is because of Christ. It reminded me of in the Bible where Paul writes "Follow me as I follow Christ"...of course with this comes a huge responsibility of keeping my life in check and making sure I continue to follow Christ in all things. So in reality, she can keep me accountable!
It was just another reminder of how God uses our relationships, which sometimes are built over a long time to draw people to Himself!

Winter Wonderland in Detroit

December was a very busy month in Highland Park. Between Christmas parties, food and present delivery, and trying to spend time with the kids while they were home on break I felt like I was going non stop!

Here are pictures from some of our winter activities which include: rock climbing at Wayne State University, making Christmas cookies at my house and ice skating downtown Detroit.

It has been exciting to see how God has opened doors over the last couple of months for me to get to know some of our families better. I have had opportunities to talk with parents about their families, needs and what God is doing. On New Years, I was invited by one of our boy's grandma to their house for dinner. I've also been able to see how God is working through the kids to reach their families. One of our grandma's shared with me how her granddaughters are singing all the songs they learn at kids club. She also shared that when her 11 year old granddaughter was asked in the classroom what Christmas meant to her she told the class it was about the birth of Jesus!

I just came back to Detroit from being home for Christmas and out in New Hampshire to visit my brothers family. At the end of January, I will be headign to Colorado for Navigator new staff training and support school. Please pray for me as I make the transition to the Navigators and also focus on support raising for the next couple of months. Pray that I will be able to find the balance of needing to take time to raise support and also continue to minister to the families and youth of Highland Park.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are greatly blessed this New Year!!!!!!!!!!