God blew me away with His goodness and creativity today! Writing the stories does not even do justice to the magnitude of what I saw happen today in me and others around me! And it's been SO fun to watch Him work! If you haven't gone ahead towards the direction HE wants to take your life. OOOH do - you don't want to miss that for the world!!!

e-mail update in case you missed it...

Hello!!!
Praises, Prayer Requests, Opportunities, and Needs at MICO
Some solid workers and supporters have pushed MICO way forward in preparing to open up those doors! Praise God for the relationships being formed and the plans and the work that is being done.
Tutoring...
will start THIS week. Plans for how to run a creative and effective tutoring program still need to be set in place but we need to start somewhere, SO I have informed some young people who have been visiting on work days that they can come to MICO this Tuesday at 3:30 (till 5:30) if they would like some help with homework. To start: 3:30 - 4:30 will be elementary age. and 4:30-5:30 will be middle school age students. There are two available, completed rooms (and a working bathroom!) upstairs with tables, etc.
Please contact me if you want to be a part of this to-be-growing program so we can work something out for you to be involved! :)
PRAYER...
specifically for racial reconciliation in the community of Marion will be starting and continuing once a month. The first time together will be next Sunday, Nov. 23rd at 8:30 PM. Future dates to be decided. SO - if this is your heart and you definitaly want to know about all times and dates for this, please reply and I will make a separate e-mailing list just for these prayer times.
LABORERS
The ONE work project that remains and requires MANY people is the painting of the outside of the house. We got a good start on it and it looks very good, but then our cold weather hit. The wood stands very exposed right now to the cold winter weather. If we get a warm day, it will be necessary to take advantage of it as fast as possible. If you have some mornings and afternoons free and would want to be on a text list saying what time to arrive at MICO if that day comes, please e-mail me your phone number. And everyone -- pray for a random Warm Week! :)
Need to downsize some of your things!?
House needs big and small that MICO could use at this point:
CD player
a telephone
answering machine
a large Coffee maker
refrigerator
stackable washer/dryer
towel rack
porch light
ceiling fan

Please contact me with any questions, nudgings, comments.
With love and joy to have people like you in this process,
-julie for the MICO crew
706 S. Boots, Marion, IN 46953
765/506-7529

real life

I'm kind of tired of blogging already.
I'll give an update of some things that make me so overjoyed. Outside of that - you may have to contact me if you want any more detailed news.
Ever seen a Halloween party in a home include a group of church young adults and urban teenagers including a bonfire, cupid shuffle, pumpkin carving, costumes, and then a spontaneous dance battle in the dining room? ALL together, all welcomed, all having a ball!? No alcohol!? Being themselves... Yeah- that was a blessing!

God continues to provide his own work crews at MICO. The past two weeks, I've arrived at 9:30 AM not knowing who'd come. I always average around 12 volunteers by the end of the day though and there are usually three kids from the area, a couple new people, and a couple friends. Today included two IWU males and three neighbor boys who joined them in a project, one of my roommates working with my mentee, my mentee's uncle doing another project, and his friend enjoying coffee with us as well. Mixed group, None planned, a ton got done. SUCH a blessing. It's GOT To be a neighborhood house when we need this much help and there are that many skilled people just sitting nearby. Good

Then Tonight - typical night at home. Three middle school girls stop by... no plans yet... I had time and energy - one wal-mart trip for their's and my groceries and one grease fire later, we enjoyed some Fried chicken and other treats together and I learned from them how to cook it right! :) Mmmm... good stuff. Grease everywhere. But I'm learning.
Enjoy life - love people. Don't compare yourself to others - just live YOUR dream. much love -

Roommates!!

I cannot believe I haven't shared this answer to prayer yet! God brought two incredible roommates to me to fill this house. They love Jesus, people, and Marion. They stayed in Marion because of their heart for the Lord and the desire to minister in a real and incarnational way. Need I say more? It's an answer to prayer and only God can work things out in a way that every side from landlords to each person living here feels that they got the best end of the deal. :)

THANK YOU!

Thank you Carpenter's Hands!!! An Awesome work day shoved us so much further ahead in work on the MICO house. And we have other interested people lined up. Praise GOD for the help especially as it's getting colder. Pray that we can have a couple nice nice days to get the outside coat of paint on and that kids and set programs will be able to run by mid-november, and that we can continue to raise funds to make this house durable and something to be proud of for a long time to come. :) God bless!

Dining room church has a nice ring to it. We just had another one tonight right here!
There was 'church' the other night with about 8 of us, same age, playing games, sharing thoughts, encouraging one another, etc.
There was 'church' tonight with Sandy, her nephew, and her uncle just stopping by and getting on the topic of the Word. We talked about truths from the Bible and read Scriptures, learning to interpret what it says straight from what is in the book(okay, so little nephew, Chris was just looking at cards and wondering when this boring talk would stop) But really - I did the listening, and I learned a lot, and I was blessed. From home, people probably think I'm leading bible studies, etc. Maybe because I'm a Taylor Grad. Maybe because I moved in for youth ministry. Maybe because I used to be known by some as the "church lady". I'm learning and searching out God just like everybody else. There is a time to teach and a time to be taught. And every time is one to discern.
But, I guess it also taught me tonight to never underestimate the knowledge and wisdom that someone has. Christ grabs hold of people's hearts wether it be in jail, in a church, or in their private room. But when He does, and when they pursue Him hard, He always shows up and sheds light on the truth. From these people and others that press in for truth, we can learn So much! And continue to be challenged to do the same. I hope we don't sell others short when we first look at them or their background.
I learned today about a book called ABC Community Development. Asset Based Community Development. What are the assets of the people already there? Find them out then start using them... I like that. Simple, smart.
It's time to stand up though... I'm tired of what some kids have to deal with... Satan's had too much range to move in for too long. It's time to remind everyone that Christ is the head.

what?

Today I saw too many super nice large buildings waiting for kids to come fill them to make sense.
Today I was encouraged by a pastor with a big heart to serve his community.
Today I met with a mentor who never ceases to make my logistics questions fade away in light of talking about who Jesus is.
Then I came back to my house where about 8 kids were ready to watch a mentee of mine fight at least one of them. what's it like to kick them all off your porch and still they know you love them? What's it like to try to teach them respect in a nutshell and the sweet ones you usually play games with declare they respect no one, not even their mom. what do you do with all that? there's only so much talking over their voices you can do. I feel like subbing came home with me. Hmm!
Praise God though. He crafted each one. Let's keep reminding them that and hope they start living out their identity as Jesus' children soon!

tips of the day

Today was a BEAUTIFUL fall day! The kids had half days of school, so you better believe they were out and about.
I learned today...
1) Do not think that it's easy enough to stay on a tarp when painting. Cover and tape everything that you do not want to be speckled a different color at the end.
2) ALWAYS stop 15 minutes early and make everyone help. They'll run away from the mess before you can even mention clean-up- they're kinda like phantoms in and out! (I know, I know - I should've known).
3) The GAME: Protect the President (A more low key dodgeball) is Perfect for any age! All kids in large circle. One in middle is president, the other is the body guard. Use one ball. Whoever from the circle hits the president without the body guard blocking the ball gets to be president. President moves to body guard spot. Body guard goes back in circle.
4) Eph. 1:17-23 reminds me that our eyes are enlightened to see the Hope and Glory and Inheritance that comes with knowing the Father. Enlightened eyes do not help us see more issues to address, they show us the vision and hope!

Much love.

substitute teaching phase...

It's looking like fall!!! Isn't it beautiful!
WELLLLL...
new job! By day- I spend time in a classroom substituting, by evening, I get to be with my neighbors or with friends.
Last night - two girls came down and we wrote letters to their brother, and my friend, in jail. There are ministry opportunities everywhere. And I'm seeing even that - letter writing to the incarcerated - would be an impactful thing! Living closer to them for random times like that is also a blessing.

Praise Report: Almost all of the drug selling flow across the street from MICO has been caught and forced to move. While the neighborhood is quieter, we are happy that it can be rebuilt with more positive things possibly.
We have approved to Paint the outside of the MICO house. It will be Awesome! And something the community can be proud of I'm sure!
If you're reading this... we're gonna need volunteers. So, get your brains churning and see if there is a way you can come, OR - if you have a group of friends that likes to paint, bring them down as well!

I admire teachers.
There can never be too many tutors and teachers' aides in Marion.

The lack of blogging the last couple days is attributed to me partially overwhelmed and lonely. I think it's normal...
Praise God, he's curing that.
When I challenged a friend to trust God because He ALWAYS equips us for what we need, I then realized- I needed to hear that myself!
Friends are good. Good friends who care and have fun and brainstorm together and support one another are awesome. I'm thankful again for the random ones God has brought.
Tomorrow we prepare for another big work day and I am so excited for it! People walking by the house are starting to recognize our faces and ask when we're doing something next. Hopefully some of the neighbors will take part tomorrow in helping us restore this old house and make it Beautiful!!! Shopping freely for supplies we needed and not having to worry about cost (but still trying to be frugal- don't fear) was a BLESSING from God to be thankful for every step of the way.
Pray for discernment and a unified team to move forward with this ministry.

:)

Almost every day I laugh because God is so awesome. I get to watch a vision from two years ago unfold before my eyes, in the form of a large yellow house, and inspirational and gifted people that seem to come from Nowhere! God also knows about me that I need confirmation of things, because I will question things till I'm blue in the face, scared that it's not REALLY God's will.
If I took one thing from my mentor (but I took many because she's really wise), I would say the biggest one is that You cannot miss God's will!! We are Not that influential. And He will Chase you with His blessing that He has for you! The more I release my grip or stop looking for it and just look for Him, the faster things happen.

God's given a few very good gifts these past two weeks.
1) Friends to get away and spend time with
2) peers who are an example to me by just being content in the Lord, delighting in Him and watching miracles happen out of the overflow of that relationship
3) A gift of 1000 dollars in gift cards for the house raise to a gift of 1850
4) Confirmation of leaving my last job to move onto something different
5) A couple very wise people to come along as advisors in planning, etc.
Number 1 and 4 remind me that He cares about me as an individual always, not JUST as a tool...

My pastor's wife gave a sermon two weeks ago and I loved her remark that we are as wise as the friends we have. As we network and form relationships, we are in a sort of community that can give and ask for advice. Having a friend who is a teacher makes me an expert on education to 1st graders. Having a brother who is a computer guy makes me an expert at computers as soon as I call and ask for advice. It really is the community of believers - we must work together. In that, we are as wise as a whole as God has gifted individuals.

Lastly, this whole Audience of One phrase isn't as overrated as I thought. The bible continually speaks of people ministering to God. and Jesus ministering to His Father. We Are truly ministering to God when we do "ministry" or "out-reach" People just may happen to be listening in to our worship or utilizing the service organization, etc. In that - maybe their reached for Christ which is Key. But truly - in all we do, we are ministers to God. We're using our gifts to please our Dad.

response

I will write again soon... God's doing sweet things

And I am done with my current job and excited for the next adventure.

whoever Brian is who wrote last. I'd love to chat. Contact reachmico@gmail.com because I do not know your last name and cannot view your blog.

Today's thoughts

1) No matter what measure of trust that God has blessed you with towards kids, don't let them mess with your laptop. (it could be MUCH worse... my issue is not bad - I'm just saying)
2) The Best teaching opportunities come from just doing life together with people.

3) Random thought: What are the chances we could raise 7,000 in two weeks?

blessed encounters

So... the vision for a sort of community based ministry out of a safe house started about two years ago with a group of people. Some things just don't happen by coincidence:

1) that group from Taylor actually meeting together to brainstorm in 2006 and continuing through 08
2) A perfect house for that sort of thing being offered for partial use and already pretty established
3) The house next door being torn down randomly right after we thought we needed a bigger yard there.
4) Meeting numerous people, when no one was even looking for each other, with like hearts who God has made a way for them to stay and be involved in ministry in Marion
5) Running into a master carpenter/plumber and old friend of my dad's who offered his expertise to help us be more effective in fixing things up.
6) Planning a work day and getting a call the next day to request a worship service to be held there just after when the work would be done. I couldn't ask for better timing for such a thing, but wasn't about to plan one myself.

One step at a time.

More to come...

Psalm 66. Vs. 5 "Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he does for his people!" What a sweet thing that God's heart is totally for his people.

The beginning

For my family and friends: you now don't have to be subjected to weekly update e-mails. You can CHOOSE if you want an update.
For friends and future partners: you can now be a part of what's happening in Marion if you want to keep up with it.
This blog is meant to track some sweet things we get to see God do along as we follow the path we feel He's leading us each on individually- and the cool thing is when those paths collide. This is also to specifically track how He is starting to transform one house on the corner of 7th and Boots, the MICO house, to be an even greater place of service and fellowship.
By we, I mean myself and all other Christ followers in the area, friends I have randomly met who live in Marion and surrounding areas and have a desire to see the Kingdom come to our city in full.
My role... be responsive to what God says, watch Him work, take action when necessary, and bring as many people along for the ride as possible. I love to talk with friends and strangers alike. If you have any questions or things you want to talk about, just e-mail me.
Don't be scared to dream big and be bold.