A Month in the Life

Today was pretty laidback. Got up and went on outreach for bus ministry this morning. It's pretty amazing the people we've met through this ministry and the relationship that we have built with the families. We were at one house today, talking with the kids' grandpa, and mentioned that we were planning on doing outreach in that area again (we had hit it up a little over a year ago but there is a 50% turn over rate in people moving in and out of the neighborhood). The grandpa was excited and said that there were a bunch of new kids in the neighborhood that were real bad (stealing, fighting, cussing) and that they need God to change them. Now mind you, grandpa has refused to come to church himself, but his 3 grandkids and a few nephews come regularly!

I've been working on redecorating my classroom and have been at the school forever! I started around 1:00 and just finished for the night--11 hours and I still have another hour or two to put in. I discovered I probably have a little too much pride when it comes to how my classroom looks. I had decorated my classroom door with a patriotic proud to be an American theme a week or two ago. Little did I know that the classroom across the hall would have the same theme. So, in my mind, it's the most horrible thing in the world that we have the same theme going, but it's too late to switch because I've already bought all this stuff and opened it. So I decided to just redecorate the door with a spiritual theme (the price of freedom--Calvary) and keep everything else the same. Our rooms will have some similarity, but we are focusing on different aspects. Mine is on being a hero and the characteristics of a hero. Next quarter--I'm definitely checking to see what others are doing ahead of time!

Off to bed, for my much needed rest. Sundays are fun, but rough!

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So I mentioned that I work for a baby-sitting agency. I've been working for 2 doctors on a regular basis here lately and it's been an experience. To hear them speak, you would think they were the busiest people in the world. After all, the mom works 2 days a week (but has a baby-sitter usually every day of the week including weekends, usually for 6-7 hours at a time and has a housekeeper that comes in 2-3 days a week). They pay me to help out with their kids while they are at home talking or watching tv (tonight was an Italian chef teaching how to cook in Italian and they are spending their time guessing what he's saying). What cracks me up is when it's like 10:30 at night and I'm ready to go because I have to get up for work at 6 a.m. and then I get asked to make the kids' lunches 'cause it will save her so much time when she stands there and talks to me the whole time I'm making their lunches (only takes 5 minutes but it's the principle of the matter). And my favorite line...I can't believe the agency charges me every time you come out here...do they think we're made of money??? Ummm...you're paying me to watch your kids while you're at home and half the time you end up taking care of them anyway...

Well, it's time to hit the sack...the weekends are super cram packed, but I love every bit of them.

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I don't always understand the ways of God, but I'm glad that He brings people into our lives who are true examples of His love. Perhaps the greatest lady I have ever known passed away this week and today we celebrated the life of Sis. Dugas, Gateway's First Lady. I first met her about ten years ago as a freshman at Gateway. My first impression left me thinking that no one could be this sweet all the time, but was I ever wrong. She was always sweet, thoughtful, and kind. She was the epitome of a Christian and a lady. She was a very busy lady, but never thought twice about taking a moment to stop and say, "Hi darlin', how are ya?" and left you feeling like you were the most important person in the world. She was an example to all of us with the life she led. She was a lady of faith and that was never exemplified more than this last year as she fought cancer every step of the way, never complaining, but trusting that God would be faithful. The last time I was blessed to sit by her in a Gateway chapel service, we were singing the song "In His arms, I feel protected..." She leaned over and said, "Darlin', that's just how I feel. I'm in His arms and I've never felt that more strongly than now. He's taking care of me. I know how much He loves me." As I sat today and listened to ten different ministers talk about the life that she led, I was amazed at all this lady had accomplished in life and the lives that she touched with every step she took. She leaves big shoes to fill, but if we will choose to walk with the love of God in us as she did, we will change the world in which we live. Thank you, Sis. Dugas, for the legacy you have left us.

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Hello! As I am a glutton for punishment and have difficulty saying the word "no", Kent sent me a random e-mail a couple of weeks ago asking if I would be interested in blogging this month. Well, actually, he might have said something about how much fun it is to share your passions with the world and since I like to have fun, here I am.

Who is this crazy person? Welcome to the random world of Mandi McKibben! I am a simple country gal, who somehow ended up in the city. I was born and raised in Toledo, IL, a small farming town of about 1200 people, where everyone knows everyone and all of their business (and what they don't know, they can find out from the police scanner that just about everyone has in their homes). I moved to St. Louis about ten years ago and since I hate packing for trips, have yet to leave town, much to my daddy's dismay.

I supposedly live in an apartment, but I think I really live on Mark Twain Lane in some building called New Life Center. My days are spent in the 4th grade classroom and my evenings in a multitude of other rooms, helping out with children's church, bus ministry, Bible quizzing, youth, and occasionally being a regular ole saint. You'll learn more about all of these in the days to come.

Now for how I met the infamous Kent Curry...I was very active in Bible quizzing during my teen years. Our team went to the Windy City Round Robin in Addison, just outside Chicago, when I was 16. Lo, and behold, Kent Curry was our quiz master. He read a question to us that contained the word "Gethsemane" (as in the garden). I looked at him like he was crazy for the way he pronounced it. I answered the question, pronouncing it geth-se-mane, just like it looks and got the strangest look and a laugh in return.

Oh, yeah, you probably thought I would mention New Year's resolutions...I detest the things...probably because I hate failing to meet them!

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail!