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 -