[what]S'up, Wednesday?

"[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)
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Happenings: We are now in the 4th week of Summer Project. Next week the Staff leave, and the students begin to take on the responsibility of the project. Last night they named the student leaders who will be taking over the director roles for the rest of the summer. Unlike last year, no Deaf students we placed in leadership positions which is not good or bad, it just means one less meeting for us (as interpreters) to interpret for.. :)

Schedule: As the students begin to take over project, some adjustments are made to the way the first half of the summer schedule has been established. For instance, the first 5 weeks there has been an all Deaf Men's Bible study, since Azael has been here as a Deaf staff member. However, when he leaves, the Deaf student men will combine with a group of Hearing student men. This adds a new interpreting challenge since we have not had to interpret for the mens group yet AND one of my guy interpreters is leaving next week. I'm currently looking for another guy to come for the last half of the summer. Please be praying that God would give me wisdom and wonderful networking ability as I search for someone who can come short notice and stay for 5 or so weeks :)

Finances: I am still needing a one way ticket from Philly to Seattle (around July 19th/20th). If you have airline miles that you could donate, I would greatly appreciate it :)

As always, money is also tight on the students side of project. If you are looking to make a tax deductible donation, or would like to support any of the students, below are the links to their accounts and a short bio about them.. All students have some amount of their support raised, but none of them are at full support yet. The students support raising goals are $2850 each, the Staff goal is $1750.

THANKS so much for partnering with me on this journey!

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

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Deaf student Bio's:

Azael Perry - is the Deaf staff individual. This is his 3rd summer on Project, and he's functioning in a dual role (as staff and a Deaf Interpreter for a Deaf student from Honduras who has come on project this year). He's working super hard this summer, going between the staff/councilor role and the Deaf Interpreter which has not given him much time to work on raising support. The link to his account is here: https://give.cru.org/5572350

Heidi Birchler is a student at RIT. She is involved in Hands of Fire and Cru on campus. https://give.cru.org/0746231
Taby Benavides is also a student at RIT. She is also involved in Hands of Fire and Cru. https://give.cru.org/0745970

Jacob Walden - Community College student in Oklahoma. Involved in the Deaf Bible Study for College Students. https://give.cru.org/0766419
Joel Herrera -  moved from Honduras last year. Involved in the Deaf Bible Study for College Students as well. https://give.cru.org/0760206
Dennis Alvarez - flew from Honduras on May 31st. He is learning ASL since they use LESHO in Honduras. Azael is interpreting for Dennis (and occasionally Joel, since he's been in the states less than a year) during the meeting that we have most nights of the week and for social times until he picks up more ASL :) https://give.cru.org/0758657

FrienDay FriDay :D

FrienDay FriDay is where post a "new friend" that I meet, 

or something that is definitive of the Wildwood experience 

that I would text a picture of to a good friend..

Having my cat on project is one of those little blessings to me. The first 2 years I was here interpreting for the summer, I couldn't bring her with me. Last year and this year, I have been able to rent a place that allows pets. I have an extra large dog crate that I keep her in during the day when we are out (so she isn't naughty/doesn't scratch the furniture). She doesn't look happy, but she really goes quite willingly into her crate! She makes me smile :)

FrienDay FriDay :D

FrienDay FriDay is where post a "new friend" that I meet, 

or something that is definitive of the Wildwood experience 

that I would text a picture of to a good friend..

Abby, Abigail, Abz, A-flirty.. it's amazing how many good times are had when you live in close quarters for a short time. Abby was my roommate while she was here the first 2 weeks of Project helping out with the interpreting needs. We dropped her off at the airport this morning, and now she's back at home.. 
We miss her already! :) 

[what]S'up, Wednesday?

Here is the first weekly update installments of "[what]S'up, Wednesday?". This is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)
          ******************************************************************
Happenings:
We're in week 2. The first few days flew by! I came to project expecting things to be slightly different, but mostly the same.. However, every year is a new year.. If you have been joining this journey with me for a while new, you will know that this year we have doubled our Deaf students in attendance on Project. Last year we had one (1) Deaf guy student, and one (1) Deaf girl. This year, there are three (3) Deaf guys, and two (2) Deaf girls. Which means the interpreting needs have doubled as well! Things have been kinda crazy as I try to figure a good rhythm of the interpreting needs. It's taken some time, but I think we're finally getting to the sweet spot.

Schedule: 
In previous years, the interpreters tend to swap out every few weeks, as that is all the time that they can take out of their full-time work schedules. This year, over the course of the summer, I have 4 interpreters that will be here for shorter time spans. Abby is one of those interpreters. She came last week, the day before students arrived, and will be leaving this Friday. The funny God-ordained thing is that I met Abby last summer the day after protect ended. By God's providence she was able to come out this year, and it's been great having her here. She has been up to interpret for whatever is needed, and always is willing to do the dishes - which is a huge blessing for me! We will miss her!

Finances:
For once the interpreting budget is not only not flailing helplessly in the ocean, but is surfing the waves masterfully! I am so grateful for the way in which Adonai has provided the necessary funds for the interpreting budget needs this year.

Money is always tight on the students side of project, though. Of all 5 Deaf students (and one Deaf staff member), only one comes from a strong support base. If you are looking to make a tax deductible donation, or would like to support any of the students, below are the links to their accounts and a short bio about them.. The students support raising goals are $2850 each, the Staff goal is $1750.

THANKS so much for partnering with me on this journey!

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

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Deaf student Bio's:

Azael Perry - is the Deaf staff individual. This is his 3rd summer on Project, and he's functioning in a dual role (as staff and a Deaf Interpreter for a Deaf student from Honduras who has come on project this year). He's working super hard this summer, going between the staff/councilor role and the Deaf Interpreter which has not given him much time to work on raising support. The link to his account is here: https://give.cru.org/5572350

Heidi Birchler is a student at RIT. She is involved in Hands of Fire and Cru on campus. https://give.cru.org/0746231
Taby Benavides is also a student at RIT. She is also involved in Hands of Fire and Cru. https://give.cru.org/0745970

Jacob Walden - Community College student in Oklahoma. Involved in the Deaf Bible Study for College Students. https://give.cru.org/0766419
Joel Herrera -  moved from Honduras last year. Involved in the Deaf Bible Study for College Students as well. https://give.cru.org/0760206
Dennis Alvarez - flew from Honduras on May 31st. He is learning ASL since they use LESHO in Honduras. Azael is interpreting for Dennis (and occasionally Joel, since he's been in the states less than a year) during the meeting that we have most nights of the week and for social times until he picks up more ASL :) https://give.cru.org/0758657

"Breathing".. [Thoughts on God's provision and information about Wildwood 2013]

*inhale*.. *exhale*.. 

I am often guilty of getting so caught up in the schedule of the moment, and adding 'just one more thing'.. that I don't notice that I am carrying more that I am able. I am blessed (and cursed) with the ability to hunker down and weather a storm (in the natural world or the spiritual) for an extended time being.. I tend to just take things as they come and not realize that in the midst of all the added things I've forgotten to stop and take time to "just breath"..

I just like taking care of others, and making sure things get done.. it can be hard to trust that things will be done a certain way (the way you think they should be accomplished) if you have to entrust that responsibility to someone who is not you - ya' know?

But, then there are times that I find myself completely at a loss for words - because in one glorious moment God steps in and says "you've been running for so long, and so hard, and you've worked up quite a sweat to get here.. however, I have a little detour for you", and as he ushers me toward the detour, the path opens up to an OASIS.. one that I don't think I deserve, or (if I'm honest) really want at that moment - because hard work is what accomplishes things, not lounging around.. ;)

But Abba knows best, and so he pulls me in, sits me down, and brings me the most lavish of gifts that meet all the current needs I have (and some I didn't even know I needed).. And He says to me, "Just sit.. Just Be.. Just Breath.."

All that intro to say - I'm going back to Wildwood, New Jersey to Interpret for Summer Project again!
It's been a long time coming, and many delayed details due to various reasons.. but as of now, 4.. count 'em One, Two, Three, FOUR Deaf students have been accepted! God is good, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed! :) {I assume it's a little like learning you're pregnant with twins - YAY baby..s! two at once? oiy! >.<.. "I can do this, I can do this.." or maybe not, I dunno I've not yet been pregnant with twins.. but that's what I imagine it's like..}

I have been in the process of raising funds, and recently God has graciously and generously provided a large sum of money for the project this summer. We're not fully funded yet, but we're a whole lot closer than we've been in past years!! :D (again.. I'm just learning to sit, to be, and to BREATH!)

I have many one time gift needs, a few air line ticket needs, and am looking for people to partner with us by giving monthly to the cause of ASL Interpreters for Summer Projects.

If you live in Tulsa, I'll be setting up some Dessert and Details nights soon.. 
If you live elsewhere, I'll be sending out an e-mail up date soon..
If I don't know you, but you stumble upon this blog, and would like to be involved - please contact me via my profile info.. 

In the mean time, I'm going to keep learning how to just sit, and take in big breaths of His fresh wonderful air.. to just breath.. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

Meditations&Musings4Mondays

Is it weird to say I've felt "pregnant with this post" for a little while now? Maybe it's all the baby talk with my sister-in-law (who does have a bun in the oven) that has me thinking in this kind of language.. anyway, this post has been germinating for a while - but I have a feeling labor is going to be a bit lengthy - so please bear with me.. 

If you've read any of my posts, you know that I have an aversion to $$ .. 
Not because I am greedy, and it's a temptation to me..
Not because I am jealous of others who have more than me..
Not even because I want to be filthy rich and not worry about it anymore.. 
It's because I have no #'s ¢!   [translation: I have no numbers sense!]
(yes, I used pictures - cuz that is something my brain does get!) 
Really, I just do not compute the value of money.. I know that 100 pennies = 1 dollar, but it's the practical retail value of things that makes no ¢ to me! IF someone says "I paid $80,000 for that car", I have no idea if it's a good deal or if they got robbed (and yes, people will clarify: it depends on what kind of car - new? or clunker? eh *shrug* nope.. not to me. It still doesn't compute.) I can operate a budget if the numbers are given to me, but to come up with how much is needed? nope. not even gonna try..

I also get frustrated with the idea of knowing the worth of your work. For instance, how much someone makes per hour. HOW in tar-nation are you suppose to weight the amount of work to a dollar sign? I realize this is the way the world operates, but it is incredibly foreign to me. If we want to have a conversation about language, and grammar, and syntax and roots of words/concepts and how slang derives from cultures, and the translation process from one language to another, and.. well you get my drift - I could go on allll day long! Languages make sense to me.. numbers (and $$$) not so much..

Which brings me to the musing that sprouted this post: Paychecks.. 
Currently I'm working as a freelance interpreter. That means payment comes on an hourly basis per job worked. I realize that many people make a living this way, I've just never had to count my hours so diligently to make ends meet. I guess I've been blessed to have had a salary before this that allowed me to live comfortably enough that I wasn't always pinching pennies. However, because of this new situation, I've been confronted with the reminder that I don't understand how money works. 

I am also contemplating the opportunity to go part/full time with Cru (the ministry I've been working with for a while now). The salary of this position comes from raising support - a.k.a. asking people for money. Now, I'm no stranger to this for short term needs. I feel very comfortable asking people to come along side me and support an endeavor that is "above and beyond" what my salary alone can support for a specific need. It's when I start to think about that salary being provided soley by laypeople that I start to think more deeply about this concept of value, worth, and money.. 

I can probably trace it back to not feeling worth other peoples' money BUT when I boil things down to the least common denominator - really everyone's paycheck comes from "laypeople".. cuz that's what companies give you, right? Part of the money they earned from people buying the product that you were selling? 
Football players are paid out of ticket sales $$. 
Old Navy employees are paid out of sweater sales $$. 
Car sales people are paid out of the profit off the car $$.
So the only difference in the ministry supported position is that people are putting $$ towards a person and they don't get a product back - right?
I guess it's the idea of consumerism vs donations.. 

And I think I get hung up on that idea - because as much as I could use some more funds in the bank currently, I don't want to buy the lie that materialist things are worth what America is trying to tell us they are. This is two-fold: I find myself irritated at all the advertisers and the "must need items". And I don't have a clue as to what the actual worth of something should be (due to my own ineptness coupled with the industries habit of marking prices up). 

For instance, I'm an artist. In my room, I have many random things for mixed media art pieces. I have quite a collection of canvases and painting supplies. My family would tell you all I've got is a giant mess though. And I can admit that I have accumulated things that I won't ever use, but as an artist sometimes you never know what it's going to be until it becomes what it is! :) Most all artwork I do is personal - gifts for family and friends, or something that has meaning to me. However, in lieu of trying to de-clutter, I've considered doing some artistic pieces as a supplement to my current income. I always find myself caught at the same mental impasse though.. 
--> I want to make some money. hmm.. I have too many things. Oh! I should sell them and get money for them. BUT how much are they worth? (IDK) AND if I sell them, then it's just going from clutter in my house to clutter in yours.. is that something I want to promote? How do I price something fairly when I have no idea it's worth? 
and round and round I go..

So I just continue to give away artistic pieces. 
Because I'd rather donate something, or volunteer my time instead of being paid for it. 
Because I don't understand how to figure out the value of art.
Because I can't find monetary worth in my time..

I have always enjoyed being the giver and tended to not be the receiver.. 

In line with that thought - is it always one OR the other though? I've just come out of a season of enough - one in which I was able to give freely when I saw needs or to causes I felt strongly about. However as I enter this new season of very-tight, does it have to be a season of "only receiving" for me now? I use to think that was the case. My experiences growing up had me thinking that made the most sense. But God is showing me that seasons of giving and seasons of getting can run hand-in-hand. Even in times of just-enough, I need to be sensitive to his nudge to give - cuz if he really does own those cattle on a 1,000 hills - then he's more than capable of providing what I need. And when money is inching closer to that red line, if he asks me to not only not drop one of my Compassion kids, but instead to add a young Deaf boy to the "children-of-my-heart" I support, I have to know that he will provide the funds to cover them.. You can call me crazy. And say I have no budget sense.. And I'll agree with you. Yet, that brings me to another point of money that I don't understand - How the Lord manages $$ among His people.

I've been interpreting for a public school soccer team recently. The coach is quite knowledgeable of the sport, and puts a great emphasis on team work. He stopped a scrimmage the other day to explain positioning to the young athletes. "Every one say trust," he instructed. "If you are out here on the field, I need you to TRUST your teammates. Don't be playing bunch ball. Don't be a ball hog. Trust that they can cover their position."

I was also recently interpreting at retreat [for Cru] and they were talking about support raising. They use the plan that God set up in Numbers for the Levites as their basis for saying "God wants to provide for all your needs. Asking people to give is a God appointed way to be in full time ministry." I think what God was saying to the Levites in Numbers was this "Here is your place on the team. Work for me. Trust your teammate to do their part and I'll provide for you." I often wonder how the other 11 tribes felt. They were told to give the 1/10th to God, but then the Levites got to use it as they saw fit.. Granted there were sacrifices to be made and specific regulations to follow, but still - I wonder if they felt jipped out of their best sheep, bulls, grain? And I'm not trying to make the analogy that if I join full time ministry, then I become a Levite, and you (dear reader) become one of the other tribes and must provide for me.. I think God has us all in simultaneous positions of a Levite and a member of the other tribes. [Back to that whole giving and getting in the same season thing.] 

What I am saying is - I often get frustrated? confused? disheartened on how I think this works. For instance, when I had my consistent salary, I gave 20%. [Like I said, if you give me an amount, and tell me it's for 'this purpose' then I'm good.] That was the way I knew that I was giving a decent amount. 
10% to Church. 
10% to other non-profits, para-church ministries, missionaries ect. 
But, each year that I put the amount I gave - which felt like a lot (I mean if most Americans don't even tithe 10%, then giving 20% is not slim - right?) - didn't get me any refunds on my taxes. Now, to be fair, it's not like I was rolling in the dough, but still. This is what I don't understand. When people make big donations at the end of the year for tax write-offs.. justhowmuchofonesincomearewetalking? And, when I give year round, versus someone giving at the end of the year for the tax break - how does one not balance the other out? *sigh* Yet another part of money that does not compute!

But it does bring me to the root of this post though. As I think about going back to Summer Project in New Jersey, I have to start thinking about funding. My dad has often laughs at me when it comes to figuring out what it will cost for all the interpreters stipends, travel, housing, ect. The number has been pretty large for the last two years. Due to increased demands, it will be even more for this coming year. My dad can't decide if I am undeterred in the fund raising because I *seemingly blindly* trust God to provide all that is needed or if I am not phased by the amount since I do not have an understanding of the value of the amount needed to be raised. I like to say it's a mix of both, however I often feel that in my WEAKNE$$ He is oh-so-very-evident! 

That being said [in my explained ignorance]- I would be remiss - after going through all of this processing, not to ask you to join my 'team' for this Summer endeavor. I promise I have oversight for my $$ies, and I have people with "# ¢" helping me come up with an estimated budget. It's not that I'm irresponsible with money, it's just the numbers like to swim in my head. Explaining all of this really is my way of saying, "I don't know how much to ask you to give.. $50 doesn't seem like it makes the "tax-back credit bracket" but $1,000 seems like a lot to ask for.. then again, I don't know what your budget can afford." So I ask in humility, as we come to the "end of the year" and people make those monetary donations for tax credit [that I don't understand how they get it] would you consider making a donation to the Wildwood Interpreters fund? Would you consider assigning a monetary worth to investing in the lives of Deaf college students? Would you help me provide value to the hours of interpreting work that goes into a Summer Project? If you are in my situation, pinching pennies, then please don't feel pressured to give. But, hey - if you're going to give, why not give to God working in the Deaf community - the largest unreached people group in America!

Should you feel lead - you can give online here: https://give.cru.org/2870830

Thanks in advance for walking with me through this labor of love. I appreciate you, whether we're Levites or Benjamites.. 

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

[what]S'up, Wednesday..?

"[what]S'up, Wednesday?" is a place where I give weekly updates about how day to day life is going here in Wildwood, New Jersey. It will typically include something that has just happened, a "forecast of a schedule (always subject to change), and an update on my financial situation.. :)

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Happenings: Project wrapped up on Monday. The students spent Tuesday cleaning the "Project House" (where they've been living for the past 10 weeks.) Once things were all packed, and "spotless", the goodbye's began. Cory, Cara and myself interpreted til 2am on Tuesday as the students took turns reminiscing, crying, and hugging each other.. and I remember as a student what the last night was like, but it was sooooo late. I was reminded that I am not a college student, nor on their 'sleep?-who-needs-it?" schedule! 

Schedule: Auzy and I started our road-trip back to the Mid-West yesterday.. we took the scenic route - via Ferry and a short stop in Delaware. We're in D.C. with friends until tomorrow, then we head out for Kentucky! (it'll be my first time driving through this fun state [I think.. I might have skirted the state line before, but have not been in KY that I remember] so I'm excited!) We'll be back in Oklahoma on Monday.

Finances:

I was finally able to sit down with Aaron (the director of the financial side of Wildwood) on Tuesday when he and the other 2 staff directors came back to close up everything. I felt like I had been doing a pretty decent job of keeping up with the budget and tracking costs of the interpreter expenses I was incurring. However, I forgot about the way CRU handles large accounts, and that there is a 13% overhead charge that comes out of all donations. Thus my ledger that I thought was in the black was actually in the red. 
(insert tear filled eyes here).. 
It's one thing to be good at something, and make a silly mistake.. It's another to know that you are operating out of your weakness, feel like you are doing an adequate job and then realize everything you've been doing was incorrect.  *sigh*

Thus my financial situation is $1,000 in the red.. and I still have 3 interpreters I need to pay.. I can delay "closing the books" until I get the funds raised. It's just frustrating to be under the impression I had enough, and then realize I'm short.. like $3,000 short.. 

But I have to come back to trusting that my Adonai will prompt the hearts of those who He plans to use to provide the funds. I know the Lord has provided the amount needed the past 2 years even when I didn't know how much the total should be - and he will do the same this year. 

If you would like to contribute to helping me get to a fully funded status, please visit my donor page on Cru's website, and follow the prompts..I'm grateful for your partnership in the gospel-work that we were able to do this summer.

THANK YOU in advance for helping to further the cause of Christ by financially supporting this ministry!

                                       ***************************************
Soli Deo Gloria
:D