Ok so this week on duty has been a crazy one but not all together horrible. I started my shift off sick unfortunately but got over the cold within a day or two. We had three girls here and the week started off pretty smoothly. Then these past few days have been interesting to say the least. One on our girls is being discharged tomorrow morning after almost 9 months here, I am excited because she is leaving successfully and going home. It will be weird not having her around though, but that is something I am just needing to get used to, that girls come and go and that is how the system works. The craziest part however has been today. We got news at 11:00am that we were going to get a new girl tonight at 5pm so I frantically ran around all day getting things situated for her coming since Hannah was gone for the morning until 11:30am with another girl for an appointment.

Then at 2:00pm I loaded up in the mini van (yes a soccer mom car which is how cool we really are) and went with Laura, one of our program managers to pick her up. But here is the twist, my friend and co-staff forgot to tell me that along the way to pick up our new girl, Laura and I were going to be doing a preplacement, which is basically meeting with a girl to see if we can help her at Grace and if it would be a good fit for her, as well as us to come to Grace. This girl we were doing the preplacement with was in a detention center...so to say the least I was in for a real treat. Which at Grace that is normal, but seeing that I had never been to a detention center before, it was a little nerve wracking on the way there, especially not knowing what to expect. We had to leave everything in the car, be buzzed in countless doors and I had to have my driver's license and my business card.....which I officially have my own business card now! :) I feel so important now.

So after presenting our stuff and getting buzzed in, we entered and talked with this girl for a good hour, almost hour and a half. And let me tell you, this is one heck of a test for me. If ever I need to grow in my authority and grow more secure in myself, I do. This is definitely something God has been working on with me while I have been down in Henderson. It was slightly nerve wracking at first, but honestly when I was in the detention center meeting with this girl, I didn't feel nervous or scared at all, and I honestly thought I would. It just continues to remind me that God has placed me in this field for a reason and that although I will face many challenges, He has got a hold of me and will protect me.

Anyway, so then after our meeting, Laura and I continued to go pick up our new girl. It is definitely going to be an adjustment I think for her because of the culture difference, with Henderson being so small it is an adjustment for anyone, even for me it was. She didn't really say a word the entire trip back to Henderson or during dinner when her and I ate. But once we started inventory, she started talking a little more, not a lot but it is a start. I think it will be a challenge to get her to listen to authority and getting up and being active especially outside, but I am being optimistic, I think she can do it, it will just need some pushing and adjusting. But for me even though it is going to be a challenge, I think it will be a good test, and I am excited that we are getting some new girls that are here AFTER I arrived so they are my girls, and I have been here longer than them so I feel more confident and empowered. This will be my second girl now so we are building our cottage up and it's exciting. It is going to be an interesting first few weeks though I think.

On some really exciting news though, I go off duty tomorrow night, and I am using a little bit of my tax return money to take a little road trip to Peoria to visit Christine, Jeff, Ady and Caedon! I am super excited to visit with them before they head out to New York. I haven't seen them in almost a year and I have yet to meet Caedon who was born this past fall so I am PUMPED to be able to spend my 3 days off with them and catch up and really just enjoy our time together. I will head out Saturday morning probably at like 6am and drive to Peoria and stay until Monday afternoon, and get back in time to start going on duty at 9:30pm. It will be a great trip. I will post pictures when I return! 

As usual at the end of my blog I put in prayer requests. This week I first off would appreciate prayers for safe travels to Peoria and back. And especially just prayer for my girls and my fellow staff members. That my fellow staff members stay strong and don't get too burned out. And for my girls, the one who is leaving tomorrow, just prayers that she will stay strong and not be dragged down again once she returns home. And for my girls currently that they continue on the right track and work towards success in their program. And especially for our new girl, that she adjusts well and begins her program well and is willing to work towards success in her program and is willing to work with us and God in order for her to succeed.

Thanks to all who continue to pray for me, I miss you all!!

Love,

Ashley