Prayer

Jon and I feel like we are at a crossroads...would you please add us to your prayer list this weekend...we are praying for God's will to be clear to us as far as staying at the group home or looking for other opportunities.  We knew it would not be easy to take this job...but we also see how if things don't get better soon, we will lose our minds and be changed...and not for the better

A hard spot to be...but we know God is faithful and He will provide what we need.

Thanks friends.

Okay...as far as an update...this week we had the joy of working with the boys to find out who has been using the computer inappropriately....yeah...you know what that means...

It brought us to a circle...well, many circles....but the one we had at school today was different for me.  For the first time I felt like these boys were part of my family...I actually cared about them...I mean like, not just as being responsible for them.  I think that this circle was the first time I had seen the boys get honest...without holding anything back...yeah, it was a bit uncomfortable...but for them to know that we are here to help them work through their struggles...

We are working on destructing a culture of "sneakiness" and constructing a culture of honesty and safety.  For the first time since we've been here...I saw this as a possibility.  Jon's a little different...he's been in so many circles and heard that things are going to change so many times...so I guess I am more hopeful.

I also think that the boys really care about me...anytime I'm not chipper or hide in our bedroom, they ask where I am or what is upsetting me...they will make the other boys leave me alone when I am working on homework...they talk to me about personal issues...it's nice to be needed...so I guess that makes it easier for me to connect with them on a more family level.

I was writing my friend who is doing Mission Year a letter...I asked one of our boys what I should tell her about them...he responded, "Tell her we are having technical difficulties...but we will unite soon."

We know there is much hope for these guys...they just need to get over themselves and do what they know they need to do...that would be a great thing for you guys to add to your prayer lists too.

Much love,

Indoctrination Station

Indoctrinate:
1.	to teach (a person or group of people) systematically to accept doctrines,  especially uncritically

I have been thinking about this word "indoctrinate".  I feel indoctrination happens a lot more than we think.

I ask myself "Is indoctrination a bad thing?".  If those last two words at the end of the definition apply "especially uncritically", then I think it is.  When people are accepting principles and ideologies without critically thinking through them, how can that be a good thing?

I see it happening in our kids lives.  Without exception, our six teens are accepting the ideology they see portrayed on the electronic screens they stare at for hours everyday.  When they get away from the screens, they make sure to plug in their music which confirms the values they watched on the screen.  Beyond that, they hang out with peers who have accepted the same paradigms as them.

Values they have voiced to us in their words and actions:
1) Making money is very important.  Having lots of sex makes you cool.

One of our guys joked with me that he wants to get a girl pregnant in every state in the United States.

Another guy asked me which I would choose if I had the choice between being rich and having a loving family.
I told him I already made my choice.
He chuckled.

"Seriously, if I wanted to be rich, I wouldn't be here with you guys right now.  I would be pursuing a career that would get me the most money."

He laughed again.  "I would choose money.  I want to be rich."

He probably figures that with money, he could get all kinds of girls to have sex with him -- which may be a emotionally cheapened, temporal trade off for love.

2) Getting bigger and better things is very important.  You can tell your worth mainly by looking at the things you have acquired.

When someone gets something new, our guys always want to know how much it costs.
"You got new shoes?  How much did they cost?  Where did you get them?"

One of my guys bought a watch at Wal-Mart.  He told me he bought it on sale and it cost him $200.00.
Who knew Wal-Mart started selling such expensive watches?

3) Lying is ok as long as it helps you get what you want.  Snitching is one of the worst things you could do.

There are too many examples of our guys lying.  I don't want to remember any now.  It takes my energy from me when I think of all the lies.

The Question I find myself asking is:  How do we confront and ultimately change these mindsets?


I asked a circle of teens at a school, "How do you help someone who doesn't want to be helped, who doesn't know they need help?".

One girl answered, "Plant seeds".

I hope the seeds grow soon.  I'm getting tired of looking at the barren terrain.


I have a thought that i don't want to flesh out right now:

When people are indoctrinated into the church but don't think critically, it isn't a good thing.

Happy Two Month Anniversary

Two months...really?...only two months?

10 more to go...but who's counting

Roller Coaster

After taking the cable off of all the t.v.s until a plan was written on how to better use media outlets in the house...we plunged to the bottom...after wallowing and fighting at the bottom (which included temper tantrums, blaming lots of people and a middle finger in Jon's face) we shot to the top...with reconciliation, plans being completed, and Jon receiving apologies for several disrespecting incidents that happened over the last couple of days (including the middle finger in the face).

We are still at the top, thus far.

As the ride continues...we are learning...and I guess that's pretty much all we can expect...to learn