Settling In...if that is possible.

Well, I have ventured, and been graciously welcomed, into two very different worlds.

Both are in the business of helping people, especially ones that are openly broken, and yet they go about it in two different direcitons.

The urban farm is beautiful.  Just a year and a half ago, it was a worn down, trashy, city-claimed plot.  It is now a bustle of activity, creativity, and hope.  Within minutes of walking around the area, I can feel the peace it offers its chaotic setting.  And meeting the plot-growers is tremendously encouraging. (One, Ms. McFarlan hugged me the moment she met me and is one of those wonderful elders that says, "Oooooh Looordy!" often : )
I am currently taking a week hiatus from the farm while the Darshana Community does some transitioning, but I am reading up on "foods that heal."

Things for all of us to remember today:
~We were made to eat PLANTS! Now, I don't think we all must be strict vegetarians, but....please do pay attention to the fact that our current American diets are not all we justify them to be. We gotta eat 'dem greens! (and purples, and reds, and yellows...)
~Our bodies get ENOUGH "sugar" from the fruits and carbs we eat! Eating other sweetners (e.g. refined sugar cane, aspartame, fructose corn syrup, etc.) causes our bodies' pH to drop, which then jacks with the natural chemical processes. That's why sugar is definitely a no-go when we are sick, because our immune system is doing all it can just to re-regulate all the normal functions without trying to deal with the shock of serious pH imbalance.
~The local farmers, *ahem! those at the local markets,* are working very hard and in great ways are helping to expand sustainability in a world we have quickly destroyed. And especially in condensed urban areas, farmers and gardeners are beautiful breaths of fresh air in showing the Creaor's hand.

Random things to know:
~Veggie plants like about 6 hours of sunlight a day to grow properly
~"Bush crafting" is a great way to use natual supplies for structure building--practical, sustainable, and unique.
~Different colored vegetables most aid different parts of our bodies-green for the heart!
~We use too much of our fresh water in silly ways!!

The Child Advocates office is also beautiful. People from all walks of life are spending their time, energy, and hearts to really be a voice for abused and neglected children. And there is so much focus on helping the parents as well, knowing that this in turn helps the child.
I have already been in some crazy court hearings the past couple days...
It hurts to be in there. I see the brokenness of humanity spread wide open and clung to...I hope I never forget to rely on the Provider for Compassion...He is the only Life-giver their is.

I got to sort through the poems of some of the kids for a guy that is wanting to publish them. Sheesh, it was one big heart-wrenching, hope-giving afternoon task. Those kids are so raw and open. I will cherish their words when it gets tough.

Speaking of tough, I do typical intern things in the office: making copies, calling donors to badger them for email addresses, organinzing seating charts for events.
But I also am getting to be very involved: having already been a liason to find resources for one especially chaotic case involving a refugee family from the Congo (btw, PLEASE look at that civil war there and its devastation to MILLIONS of people...it's very tumultous, and the first step to help is people being aware), attending court dockets (the specific set of cases to be heard during a certain time span), and beginning to be trained as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer (Volunteers are the people who help lessen the load for the Guardian Ad Litem, the legal voice for a child, in a case.  They are very important to giving each child individual and specialized help! Look up your local CASA agency to help- casaforchildren.org).

Random things to know:
~There are over 14,000 open CHINS (Child In Need of Services) cases in Marion County alone.
~Sometimes it is dull to work in an office, even with a fast-paced job...little post-it notes of encouragement are sure to bring a smile from a warm heart : )
~Every kid, each person, is constantly growing and changing and every unkind word, no matter what the apparent reaction, hurts deeply.

So,
I can't believe I haven't even been here a week.
I have had very many emotions in such a short time: overwhelmed, excited, happy, exhausted, hopeful, anxious, discouraged, angry, fun, apathetic, inadequate, helpful, and sad just to name a few.
I have had a few moments of almost giving up, in several ways, but the Sustainer is ever-faithful to pull me back...
I pray you accept some of that Hope today, it's really the only thing worth it, no matter which world I'm in.