Thursday, October 9, 2014

October 9, 2014

How 'bout them Cats? Right? Starting off 4-1 with the next game against UL-Monroe? Loving this. The football team is here to stay. This year is definitely much better when it comes to watching sports. I don't have to get up super early for the east coast noon games. I have housemates who root for SEC teams. People here care more about college football than in LA. It's nice to be back in the south.

I guess you're not here to listen to me talk about UK are you? A couple of weekends ago I got the honor of going to Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, a PC(USA) retreat center. I was there for a transition retreat for my first YAV year. It was a time to see my fellow YAVA (Young Adult Volunteer Alumni) and talk about the challenges and triumphs of our year. Emily Warren was there! She is from Lexington as well and just finished her 2nd YAV year in Nashville. One of the speakers for the weekend was David LaMotte. You should definitely look him up. He's very insightful and an excellent musician. On top of debriefing my year in Hollywood, I got to see a little bit of the southwest, an area I've never explored. I'm so thankful for my year in Hollywood, and am really excited to go to Ghost Ranch again after this year in New Orleans.








New Orleans' weather is better now. It doesn't rain nearly as often. This past weekend the high was in the 70s and the humidity was much lower. It really felt like fall. And I totally got to see a lunar eclipse, so take that cloudy places. Oktoberfest is coming up soon, and I am super excited to get my German on. Yayuh!

In our community we've started reading a book titled Don't Be Nice. Be Real. It speaks to the needs of ourselves and how we must meet them to be happy. While the beginning is rather intense, I've eased up on it and am finding the meat of the book rather enjoyable. Essentially, if you don't address your needs, then your life is less joyful. It utilizes the idea of Nonviolent Communication. If you've never heard of this, I highly recommend picking up a copy of the book, or looking into it online. It could change how you look at conversation and conflict.

What about work? I do that too. The kids at the after-school tutoring are comfortable with me now. I'm not that awkward adult-like guy standing in the corner anymore. I've enjoyed playing soccer with a few kids in the free time we have on Wednesdays, but also seeing the improvement in academics, as well as spiritual development by many in our Bible studies on Wednesday nights. This upcoming Wednesday our middle schoolers are teaching the parable of the sower to our elementary kids. I'm super excited, as there will be lots of candy involved.

Life is definitely getting into a routine. I can navigate most places by hearing in what part of town they are in. I know what a nutria is (though I haven't seen one). I can tell you what kind of jambalaya I like best. Life here is getting good.

Thank you all so much for this opportunity. I couldn't be here without your support.

-John