Gas Prices

While the cost of unleaded gas has not exceeded $4/gallon yet, I did pump $106 into my tank yesterday. The first time ever that I've seen it go over $100! I always like to play a game with any kids that are in my van at the time of my re-fueling called "Who can guess the gas price?" I'm proud to say my guess was the closest at $103. I don't have to worry about paying out of pocket for TreeHouse gas so I can enjoy the simple pleasures of games like this. Where as if I was fueling up my Civic, I would be cringing every time the price went up.

Thank you from the snowy tundra

It's snowing out right now. I heard the possibility of 4-10 inches of wet, heavy snow. My hopes of wearing flip-flops will have to wait a few more weeks. The only real thing I dread is brushing all the snow off of the TreeHouse van in a few hours when I leave for my one-to-one. Oh well...Such is life...

I was able to make my MPD year-end target just in time. So, THANK YOU for all of your encouragement, prayer, and financial contributions.

More recently, this last weekend we completed our Party Like A Rockstar all-nighter. That's right--over 14 hours of hanging out with kids and trying desperately to stay awake. We took 20 mostly junior high kids on the event. While the event was extremely fun and wild (2AM donut runs and a lot of energy drinks), I remember now why we only plan an all-nighter once a year: adults simply don't have the same capacity to stay awake like a 13 year-old does. I dropped kids off at sunrise and slept until close to sunset the same day, and I still feel like I'm recovering two days later.

If any of you out there can imagine yourself trying to stay awake at all night at an event like Part Like A Rockstar, I'm curious what your drink of choice would be to avoid sleep. Coffee? Energy drink? Mt. Dew? Go ahead, weigh in your thoughts. Until later, the National Sleep Foundation says 7-9 hours of sleep is recommended to feel well-rested.

Michelle

I'm back!

Wow...it's been awhile since I've blogged. I hope you haven't given up on me. So if only one person reads this--thank you!

TreeHouse's year-end is FAST approaching! Which means I have until the end of March to reach my target. Currently I am only $300 away from reaching my year-end goal. Would you please consider helping me reach my target?

The programs at TreeHouse are designed to provide a safe place for teens to work through life's issues. I am committed to developing long-term relationships with teens who believe they don't matter and have lost their sense of worth.
Rachel, 13, is 4 1/2 months pregnant. She'll turn 14 shortly after she gives birth. For months she kept her pregnancy a secret because she was too ashamed to tell anyone--including her mom and sister.

Jackie, 16, was raped last week. She was hoping to save herself for someone she cared about. In desperation after, she turned to cutting herself to release some of the pain. She comes to TreeHouse because she knows it's a safe place and people won't look down on her.

I am continually moved by what some of these kids endure. God is doing awesome things in our area. He is healing broken people and reminding them of an unconditional Love. Right now we are fully staffed and seeing new faces all the time! Your resources make a difference. I hope that some of you will feel led to get involved. If you would like to help me reach my target or partner on a monthly basis please contact the main office:
TreeHouse
5666 Lincoln Dr Suite 201
Edina, MN 55436

Blessings!

Michelle

MySpace what?

So first is was Facebook and now it's MySpace. Both of these online death traps (death traps because they suck away so much of your time) were things I swore I would not become apart of. Well, my last ounce of resistance has been stripped away. I am now a MySpace member. While Facebook is really a personal time waster, I am signing up with MySpace to connect with SO many of the youth I work with. There is a whole different dynamic you get welcomed into when you become apart of the MySpace family. Much of our youth's drama seems to get started over MySpace messages. I hope to use this outlet as a ministry tool. You are welcome to become my MySpace friend too. I only have three friends so far...

PS. I'd love to know who's actually reading my blog ramblings. If you're able to send me feedback if this helps you feel connected then please speak up! Either here or on MySpace. My username is Java Queen or you can find me under my name.

Happy Turkey Day!

80s prom fiesta

We had an 80s prom themed Halloween party this week and I might add you I'm pretty proud of my prom dress. Now the question of whether I would have worn my dress to prom in the 80s is questionable. I think the whole 80s prom theme was comical because most of these kids were born after the 80s. Is it true that I am actually starting to get old in these kids' eyes? (Marie, who I work with, is on the left, Guy, our year-long intern, is in the back, and I am on the right).

On another note, we are leaving for our Fall Retreat today. We are taking 14 kids up north for the weekend for a chance to connect with each other and God in the outdoors. Please pray for physical safety (including rest--if possible!), wisdom in our leadership, and soft hearts in the kids that are going.

Toner explosion

If it isn't bad enough that we have a copier older than me at work, it exploding on me when I tried to change the toner just equaled DISASTER. I am posting a picture of the incident to document the many challenges of my day. And yes, the day I decide to wear white was the day the copier decides to dump heaps of black ash all over me.

We recently took 14 (mainly all girls) youth to an event called "Nightmare". We traveled nearly three hours to Marshfield, WI to walk through a reality-based simulation highlighting common choices teens make and their consequences. The final room ending with Jesus on the cross and a decision to choose life. Nightmare is run by Believer's Church and is far beyond the corny and cheesy dramas you sometimes see at churches.

Our kids were drawn to the thrill of being scared and had no idea what to expect. It took over an hour and half waiting in line in what I would describe as a gross mushy swamp. It had rained for three weeks earlier and the ground was saturated with standing water. I am so glad I chose to wear mesh shoes that day!

We walked through several rooms depicting a party and then a fatal car crash, a girl who had slit her wrists, a drug room, a suicide room, a gang-related drive-by, hell, and finally Jesus on the cross. All of the rooms were intense and powerful. The event stirred up a lot of emotion and reaction from our kids. Many of them saw themselves somewhere along the way; whether it be from choices they've made or the feelings of desperation shown by the actors.

Since Marshfield, WI is a far way from home, we spent the night in good 'ol Eau Claire, WI, where I went to school. We stayed at Mark and Marcel Hulls' house where they cooked and treated us with amazing hospitality. I came home exhausted and ready for sleep and the kids came back wired and ready for more.

(some of the pictures from the event are posted in my pictures section)