Over the past 3-4 weeks, we have started the International Justice Mission Bible study for teens during our Connections time. The study led us through an exploration of those God is especially concerned with. Over and over we looked at scriptures that put "the fatherless" at the top of the list.

What an overwhelming demonstration of God's love for the fatherless, as the various volunteers who have been loving and serving the kids provided funds or brought thoughtful gifts for the students!

The students kept asking, "Who is this from?" and it was a joy to tell them and see the surprise and delight in their eyes. I love being in between the people God loves and those He sends to love them!!

learning, laughing, collaborating, comforting, depending

The first quarter of the school year has quickly flown by. Even the students are overheard to say, "It's noon already?"

learning
For the most part, our students are meeting their learning goals, which must be achieved in order for them to graduate on time for their individualized plans. At times they might miss an activity or have to stay after school, but the students respond well to concrete goals and weekly challenges.

As the students learn, we also learn - what motivates them, what subjects & activities they struggle with, who gets along well together. As the days go by and we get to know each other at deeper levels, we also learn what is under the surface - feelings of rejection, fatherless lives, basic needs unmet (food, shelter, safety), addiction. . .

laughing
"Fun Fridays" have been a lot of fun. Students who meet their weekly academic and behavioral goals have gone to the arboretum, Dallas Baptist University, Eastfield College, community service projects, and have participated in engaging projects on campus. One of our best days so far was when the ladies from the Alvord quilting class came to school to teach the students how to sew on sewing machines!

Laughing together at common reference points from reading Holes and hearing guest speakers has given us special memories that make school feel more and more like family. Laughing is healing and soothing - many times a flashpoint is doused by a funny expression or quick word that reminds us of a time we connected. We've even laughed quit a bit at some of the not-so-great memories we now share.

collaborating
If I didn't believe that God is sovereignly watching over us and faithfully meeting our needs, it would be creepy how just the right person steps in to meet a need - sometimes within moments.

Some examples:

• One day around 10:30, a student said, "We should have a pizza party. We've been working hard!" About 1:30 that day, a group of men from Park Cities Baptist Church & Watermark stopped in to ask if they could bring pizza to the students once a week for the remainder of the school year!
• The teachers met together on a Tuesday afternoon to discuss an opportunity for our students to participate in a national robotics contest. We loved the idea, but none of us felt equipped to lead. On Wednesday, during lunch, a young couple stopped in to ask how they might be able to volunteer at the school. Justin, who has always wanted to participate in a robotics contest, said he would like to come in weekly and help with any kind of math or science project! On Saturday, he attending training at SMU and signed us up to participate!
• Last Monday, after going grocery shopping, I reflected on the number of our students who are responsible for their own food at home. "Wouldn't it be awesome if someone could show the kids how to plan, shop, and prepare practical meals on a budget?" I thought. On Wednesday, two guys from Watermark - Robert & Josh, came for our Connections time in the morning. They brought along a friend - Laura. As they were introducing themselves, Laura mentioned that she is a nutritionist and just returned from 2 years in Africa, where she taught people to plan, shop, and prepare meals with supplies available in their area! She is planning to do the same for our students!
• On Tuesday, as I was leaving the voting booth, I saw a friend that I hadn't seen since high school. She has been in Africa for 15 years, but now lives around the corner. We talked about the upcoming study on Injustice and she is planning to come and give the students a first-hand account of what she saw and experienced!

I could go on and on - God is so faithful! I wish I could say that in a million languages, because it is the overwhelming conviction we experience daily.

comforting

As we learn of the hurts and home experiences our students have, we realize that God has, indeed, comforted us (the teachers & volunteers) in many ways so that we can comfort the students with His love. We can share the hope that God never leaves us or forsakes us. He loves us even more than a mother with her newborn, and He has even carved our names in the palms of His hands.

We ourselves are comforted by those who come and volunteer and by each other. Working with urban youth is messy & painful. But it is worth every part.

depending

'Seems like we have 2-3 good days, then a really bad day or two, when we spend more time dealing with behavioral and emotional issues than teaching. And we make mistakes . . . so far, I've had to make a group apology for bad leadership and several individual apologies for disciplining in anger, overreacting, or ignoring something that should have been addressed.

We are constantly reminded (especially on difficult days) that only God can change hearts and we are completely dependent on Him. We are committed to keep showing up and doing our best and we trust that He will fulfill the plans He has for us.

We especially feel the prayers of friends certain days. There is a different spirit among the students - an openness, kindness, . . . hope. Please remember our students in prayer. . .and us! It is good to realize our dependence and enjoy leaning hard on Him.

After the first 2 weeks

What an amazing journey these first two weeks have been. Our kids are amazing young people that God has blessed with gifts and talents, and yet most of them do not have any idea of His incredible love for them or plan for their lives.

Although it was clear from the beginning that this was exactly where God wanted me, I felt overwhelmed by the students' needs after the first couple of days. Elementary reading levels, lack of basic math skills, dysfunctional home lives, heavy burdens to work full-time, lack of goals past today, addictions, superficiality, and no knowledge of Jesus Christ's amazing love washed over me with waves of doubt and fear. What can we really do in a few hours a day to overcome years of hurts, habits, & hang-ups?

But God . . . (Yay Ephesians 2:3-5!)

. . . reminded me of Truth in Job 42:2, when Job remembered Who God is, regardless of would-be overwhelming life circumstances - "I know that you can do all things; no plan of your can be thwarted."

And so that is our prayer - that we would be conformed to His image, so that He might use us in His plan to reach these young people with His great love.

Day-by-day synopsis - (I will primarily focus on the spiritual aspect, although the students are demonstrating great motivation in completing assignments. Some are asking for more work to take home and excelling in reaching their individual learning goals!)

Tuesday, 9/2 - First day of school - orientation, 9 students attend. Joe shares his story of grace with the students in Connections time.

Wednesday, 9/3 - 11 students on campus. Jill shares her story during Connections time. Incredible Gus Gonzales (Watermark Community) comes to teach PE at the YMCA!

Thursday, 9/4 - First day of regular scheduling. I share my story during Connections time. Four of the 11 students are over 40 minutes late for school - attendance & tardy issues have to be addressed. Students complete math placement test, questionnaires.

Friday, 9/5 - The Amazing David Morgan (Garland Area Young Life) provides an awesome chapel time, sharing with students how their lives, no matter how messed up, are valuable to God, who loves and seeks them.

Monday, 9/8 - The Inspiring Michael Washington (Dallas Urban Young Life) talks to students during "Connections" time about how Jesus reached out and touched the leper, and how He reaches out to them. Students respond well to academic goals set by the teachers.

Tuesday, 9/9 - During Connections time, students are asked to share what they know about God or what they have heard about God. Students share "judge," "always watching," and even "pimp - always trying to hustle people for their money." No one says, "Father." Very few positive attributes are shared. Students are encouraged to think about the Westminster Catechism. What would you have to believe about God, in order to believe that, "Man's chief purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever?"

Wednesday, 9/10 - The 12th student joins our school, having been released from his previous placement. Gus challenges students to trust him and participate in the physical activities in order to develop themselves mentally and physically. Some respond well, others test the limits, choosing not to participate, even though Gus tells them there will be a consequence.

Thursday, 9/11 - All students meet their academic goals for the week and show interest in their individual evaluations. Students are reflective about their behaviors and, for the most part, realize the areas they need to improve in order to improve learning. Gus brings a special reward to the students who participated in PE. As he shows some students how to eat foods from around the world, he also connects with those who chose not to participate and encourages them to meet the challenge next Wednesday.

Friday, 9/12 - College visit to DBU, where students attend a chapel service, have the special privilege of sitting in the locker room with DBU Basketball coach Blake Flickner, then touring campus. Sadly, one student is released from the school after having brought drugs on campus.

Please pray for our students. Pray that God will reveal Himself in miraculous ways, opening their eyes and hearts to the Truth about Who He is and the plan He has for them. Please pray that we will walk closely and be transformed by Him, so that we are useful to Him.

Love and prayers to all!

Meeting new students, collaborating with friends.

This week has been an exciting time - the walls are up, touch-ups were made, and we even have a new office area! On Wednesday, we began by asking God to give us wisdom and insight and to lead us to the right students for this school year. We were amazed at the commitment of the parents, who brought their children in interviews and testing. Each of the students we met expressed a desire to attend and asked again and again when we would make the selections. After the students left, we met as a staff and decided who would be invited. What a joy it was to call and let the parents and students know they had been selected. As of now, it seems we have 7 students, but about that many are still pending.

In the afternoon, a friend from Services of Hope came by and the team discussed the possibility of having his evening program in our building on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Besides providing him with space, this will help us connect with the kids we have been recruiting for our school. It will also allow us access to a highly effective reading program - Read 180, a program we could never afford on our own!

God is so faithful to fulfill Romans 9:8
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Another Great Day!

We made more progress today - the place is looking more and more like a school! Many people stop by during the day - I can tell that it will be a temptation for me to spend my day "visiting!"

One of my favorite new people is Carly, who will be officed at Cornerstone, but in charge of the mentoring program at Rice Elementary. I can already tell she's a kindred spirit!

God is so faithful!

Rebuilding the Walls!

Sometimes you're expecting to roll up your sleeves and get to work, then you have so much fun, it doesn't really feel like work!

That's what happened yesterday! Since the school building has been used for summer programs, the cubicle walls had been moved and/or taken down and the school materials were pushed to the side. Within 3 hours, things started taking shape and our little home started to look more like school!

In the afternoon, we met with DBU Service Learning Director, Justin, who suggested ways we might partner with DBU to provide more opportunities for our students at CCA. Then we met with the Dallas Multicultural Committee, headed by Michael Washington, Young Life Fair Park area director, and planned outreach in our community.

God is strengthening our faith by clearly providing for daily needs. We will need to remember this later when we enter seasons of waiting on Him. Now we pray for Him to bring us the students He plans for us to serve. We trust Him for guidance in scheduling and curriculum planning. Most of all, we believe that He is working in kids' lives, in our families' lives, and in our own lives to draw us to Himself and conform us to His image.

Delighted to Share Our Lives!

Along the journey to become the principal of Cornerstone Crossroads Academy, I have been blessed to meet and learn from fell0w-travelers who are pursuing God and serving kids in our community.

Yesterday was especially uplifting, as the Becketts, Jill, Joe, and I met with about 35 leaders from ministries and businesses to consider how we might enhance the experience of our students.

Dear brothers and sisters shared their stories and encouraged us in 3 main areas:

1. Develop relationships with business leaders in South Dallas who might provide opportunities for our students to work during and after attending CCA.

2. Expose students to areas outside their community through mission trips, community outreach, and connections with supporting churches.

3. Connect each student with a mentor who will build a life-long relationship to live out I Thes 2:8. "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us."

We were thankful for the reminder that God is at work all around us and we were spurred on to pursue these three key areas, so that we might better serve the students God will surely send our way.

Naming of the Blog

Choosing a name is a strange experience.

In middle school, I decide I didn't like being "Kristi" and thought my middle name (Michelle) sounded much more glamorous . . .even so, I have been Kristi because that's the name my parents picked for me.

Picking my own name is full of pressure - I can't blame this one on my parents! If I pick something too outrageous, there will be pressure to be exciting and interesting, even on days when I feel like a blob. Something too boring shows a lack of creativity . . .

But this is what I want on my tombstone:

"The Good Fig"

When I was reading through the Bible on the Watermark Journey, I found Jeremiah 24:1-7. I knew then that I was a good fig. . . not because have lived a wholly pure and useful life, but because I have returned to God with my whole heart.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jer%2024;&version=31;