May 12, 2008

Okay, so I'm having trouble focusing tonight. Where to start? I guess I'll start with our Church search. Randy mentioned on our last post that we were excited to visit Community Christian Church in Naperville (YellowBox). We ended up visiting this past Saturday Night at their Saturday Night Service. We were definitely impressed with Pastor Tim Southerland to say the least. Next we went to visit The Orchard (http://www.orchardvalleyonline.com/) in Aurora Sunday morning where we also were impressed with many aspects of their service. So clearly the Lord is providing in regards to finding a church to get plugged into. Neither one could/will take the place of First Church but will do.

Training has been rather interesting. Although Randy & I are the only ones going through training this quarter here at Mooseheart that doesn't mean we're alone. We have been accompanied by a man & woman from Bulgaria who are seeking knowledge about Moosehearts program to take back home and implement at their orphanages in Bulgaria. Neither one speak English so they have accompanying them a translator. So Randy & I have had to learn to tune out another conversation going on at the same time during training in a whole different language.

There is a lot of information to obtain during training but all of it is very interesting and has been rather easy to grasp. I'm finding the biggest struggle is retraining myself to be truly aware of my words and what I'm saying as many ears are listening in and hanging on my every "teaching" word. We are truly being taught how to "teach to behaviors" good and bad. Praise the youth for all the positive they do and find ways to praise them in moments of correction while also giving them understanding as to why their actions may not be beneficial in life.

Randy & I were offered a cabin at Moosehearts campgrounds (Camp Ross) just about an hour and a half north west of Mooseheart this past weekend. It was very nice to get away and clear our minds of all the change we've been through in the past month or so. I can imagine Randy & I will spend as many of our days off at Camp Ross as possible, especially with summer around the corner.