Back in School

Wondering what I mean by "Back in school"? Yes, I already graduated and I'm certainly not going to be pursuing another degree any time soon. I swore after college I would be done, then I went for my Masters. I switched from Special Education major to Social Work because I didn't want to work in a school, then I was a school social worker. When that ended, I thought 'surely i'm done now'. Well, the road of unemployment has ended with a job at the Lakeview Day Care. I'm teaching kids their colors, letters, and numbers, how to poop and pee on the potty, and eat at a 'big kid' table.

It's weird being at the day care because it is in the building where I used to attend high school. (It was a private Christian school which closed a few years ago due to financial hardship, a sad day for us alumni). Now I'm changing diapers where I used to learn science, feeding kids where I used to have lab, putting kids down for naps where I learned history, playing with kids where I checked out books from the library, and coloring pictures where I learned English. Now the babies' mommies and daddies are putting their extra clothes in my old locker. Did I already say it's just weird to me?!?! It doesn't look the same, feel the same, or smell the same.
I thought I handled kids' nastiness pretty well, but I guess not. Some of the kids have some disgusting habits that really gross me out. Sometimes I don't want to touch them, but I just grab some baby-wipes and clean them up. I just cannot hold a kid's hands after I see him pick his nose, eww. Maybe i'll be better after I'm a mom... I just feel like all the gross habits are intensified when there are 20+ kids.

Jewel (my twin sister) used to work there. It has taken forever to get the workers to call me "Jessie" instead of "Jewel". Many of the kids give me a weird look like they know me, but can't figure out who I am. Lots more call me "Jewel" or some other form of Jewel like "Dewel" or "Jewl".

Working at a dare care is definitely not what I want to do with the rest of my life. And really, to be honest, it's not really what I want to be doing with my life now. Some weeks I'm working over 40 hours a week at the day care. Don't get me wrong - I love kids, but this is different. But, it's a paycheck and a way to spend my day. When I have my Masters degree this minimum wage crap is going to get really old, really fast. I'm still actively looking for a job. I had an interview today and I'm praying it went as well as I think it did and hoping I'll get a positive call soon! Until then, I'll continue to enjoy wearing jeans and a casual shirt (a pleasure most professional social work jobs do not assume).

I haven't forgotten that God has a plan. Even though I may feel like Joseph (enslaved in Pharaoh's dungeon for 7 years because the cupbearer didn't follow through with his promise/favor). Good will come out of it in the end and He'll use me in a big way!

Unemployment

One of my favorite old ladies at church called me over to her yesterday and shared this quote with me - "God's got really long sleeves. You never know what's up them!" She knew I'm really discouraged about not having a job and wanted to encourage me. Sometimes old people are just the greatest, unless you're driving or walking behind them ;) This particular lady is real spunky!

I'm getting really tired of not having a job. I had one, but then God closed the door. I "have reasons" to be bitter about it, but bitterness isn't worth the energy it sucks up. So, I've applied to basically every social service place in my surrounding area. I'm not being picky, I just prefer to not relocate. Anyways, on one of my breaks from researching jobs, writing resumes, and filling out applications i met with a dear friend for coffee. We had such a great time and both left so encouraged. I was sharing one of my stories for her, but God probably used it even more to speak to me in my present situation.

My sophomore year of college I signed up to lead a mission trip with World Impact (school organization). I was all set and ready to go to Haiti, but God closed the door. So, I made other arrangements and started preparing to go to Honduras. But God closed that door too. I was so frustrated and discouraged. I had no clue what God was doing. It wasn't what I wanted. But, then God opened a door to the Philippines. I had already been there, but this time God wanted me to lead my own team there. I obeyed and went. If I wouldn't have gone... yikes. I wouldn't have met Aldean. I wouldn't have as many great friends there as I have. I would not have learned the lessons I've learned there or made the spiritual and personal growth. I wouldn't know the love of the Pablo family. I wouldn't have kids calling me Ate. I wouldn't have tasted the wonder of lumpia sariwa, tamarind, or taho. And, I wouldn't have gone back, and back, and back again.

So, how's that apply to my life now? Well, God has closed one door already. I don't know how many more jobs I won't hear back about, letters/emails saying the position has been filled, or interviews I'll go to without getting offered a job. But, God is still faithful and He has a plan. This is stretching me and testing my faith and reliance on Him, but I hope it will prove me to be faithful and obedient. I must trust He will provide (because He will!) and pray for His direction, wisdom, and guidance. There's a lesson to learn in all of this and hopefully a wonderful job along the way.

Lord, show me your will and draw me to my knees.

Child Abuse Prevention Month

A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States. The Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline received over 151,000 reports of child abuse just last year. The Agency responded to almost 95,000 of these reports to assess the allegations.

The sheer number of these reports is staggering. But the real tragedy is that each of these reports represents an Indiana child in harm’s way.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The first official recognition of Prevent Child Abuse Month was in 1983 as Congress and other advocates looked for ways to increase public awareness of the need to protect children from abuse and neglect. Since that time blue ribbons and pinwheels have become symbols of the national movement to end child abuse.

The statistics are alarming. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that five children die every day as a consequence of child abuse. In Indiana, 198 innocent children died from abuse or neglect during State Fiscal Years 2006 through 2010. The vast majority of those cases involved children under the age of five.

While child maltreatment is a complex problem, there are often contributing factors that play a role in abusive behavior: poverty, divorce, drug abuse, stress, and job loss, to name a few. While not all parents who face these challenges are child abuses, it is important for someone—a family member, friend, co-worker—to be there for that parent to offer support and get involved if there is a concern children may be in danger.

April is also a time to recognize that everyone in the community should play a part in promoting the well-being of children. As community members, we all play a big role in the positive development of our children. We have a tremendous influence on them, even when we think they’re not watching. An involved, caring adult can prevent harm to a child caused by an abusing or neglectful parent.

We as a community can’t sit silently and allow child abuse to continue. There are countless ways we can all get involved. Whether by becoming a foster or adoptive family, volunteering at or making financial contributions to local agencies, or simply spreading the word about awareness and prevention campaigns, everyone has a responsibility to prevent child abuse.

Local DCS offices and other entities have scheduled events throughout the state to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Some will offer tips on how to recognize signs of abuse or neglect or how to report it. Others are featuring seminars or walk-a-thons and other fund-raisers. I encourage you to call your local Department of Child Services office to find out about events in your local area and then join us as we all work together to help keep Hoosier children safe. You can find the phone number to your local office by going to this website:   http://www.in.gov/dcs/2372.htm .

Preventing child abuse begins when everyone takes responsibility for making the community safe for all children. Children are the future of Indiana and deserve the best communities can offer. We all have a part to play in protecting them. Please, let’s all get involved. Not only is it the right thing to do, we absolutely owe it to them.