Here are some things that have happened since my last blog post:
Patrick Jeter visited!
It's really nice to have a friend come and see what all you've been doing. Patrick came to Hollywood Presbyterian on one of the days our program runs. It is such a relief from the daily grind to have a friend do it with you. We also did all the touristy stuff and somehow got this photo made at Universal Citywalk:
I traveled to Memphis, TN to see one of my best friends get married!
There's nothing more celebratory than a wedding! Especially one of close college friends. Memorial Day weekend was Bobby Pinkston & Kim Ferguson's wedding. I had the honor of being a groomsmen and am so thankful for having them in my life.
My dad came back to LA with me.
He got to see where and how I live and did a bunch of touristy stuff. It was his first time out to California and he really enjoyed it. There's nothing like some good father-son bonding.
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| Dodgers Game |
Things aren't all happy go lucky though. Unfortunately one of my housemates, Tara, has had to end her YAV year for medical reasons. She was a vital part of our community and has been missed tremendously in the past few weeks. It will be a challenge for the remaining two months without her. I mean, who's going to laugh at my stupid jokes? Oh jeez. Please keep her in your prayers for the upcoming weeks as she goes through some intense treatment.
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| Tara and me at the Catching Fire premiere back in November |
On another note, one of the women who stayed in the winter shelter with me passed away. She was such a crucial part of the shelter community with her huge personality. It was tough to see someone like this go, but I know she made huge strides in the right direction at the end of her life.
At the church we held a memorial service for her. It was an occasion that I'll never forget. To see all of the people that she had an impact just in her Hollywood community get together to celebrate her life was amazing. Sometimes you don't realize how much people mean to you until they're gone.
In the upcoming weeks there is so much to do! I have a trip to Copperopolis, CA next weekend. I'm chaperoning the high school boys from Hollywood Pres for their week at Forest Home (church camp). We have a DOOR fundraiser in less than a month. There's some birthdays to celebrate, some fun things I still need to do (surf. Come on John. Find a surfboard and get out there), and I'm sure there will be some struggles as well. It's all shaping me into the best person I can be. I love all that is going on and can't wait for next year...
Wait. Next year! I haven't shared that yet! I am planning to spend another year of my life with the YAV program. Where? New Orleans. I don't exactly what I'll be doing down there quite yet, but there will be more information to come.
Thanks for all your support!
-John
