I've been trying to think of a nice, simple story I can share that could help to describe the experiences I've had the last month, but I've given that up. I cannot share one short story, because life at Charis House does not come in any form of short stories. Although I have settled into a schedule, I enter each day with the knowledge that I will encounter at least one situation that will force me to stand back for a second and think, "Wow, this is different."

There have been lots of highlights with the residents this past month. In the beginning of the month another staff and myself organized a slumber party night, complete with a take away and a viewing of The X Factor (The English version of American Idol). I have really enjoyed the weekend shifts because it offers an opportunity for me to just sit and talk with the women. However, just hanging out with the women does not always mean everything is peaceful and happy. This night ended with a challenging situation because halfway through our party, I had to answer the door to a set of 6 policemen bringing home a resident. I found myself standing at the door and experiencing a sadness I've felt many times at the House. A sadness of simply being a witness of women falling back into patterns that have lead them to living in the house in the beginning. Seeing those policemen and the resident, I felt completely at a loss for what to say, what to do, and how to comfort, yet confront issues that really needed to be addressed. The on-call staff at the House came down quickly and said all the right things. It was a spark of relief to see the situation calmed and a knowledge that God works so much, each day, through the staff who sometime just know what to say.

With all the challenging situations, there have most definitely come really meaningful times as well. The English take real pride in preparing "proper Sunday dinners." Last Sunday, a staff prepared a huge dinner and invited all the women to join. It was a wonderfully carefree time at the House. I've come to realize the need to recognize these times as they happen and appreciate them even more as they are happening. Sharing a meal with fun chat and laughter while enjoying a delicious English meal was a time I can use later when the stresses and sadness that the House can produce seems too much.

One activity Charis House staff does every day that I've found true comfort in has been their daily prayer times. I have learned how important deliberate, daily prayer is not just for myself, but for all that we interact with. As staff, we begin each day together in prayer and we come back together after lunch to spend anywhere from 5-30 minutes in prayer. Sometimes we just sit in silence, but most often we just sit and pray for each situation that the women are encountering at that time. It is a pray style that I have had to adjust to. Coming from a very Lutheran background, when we say Amen the prayers over. At our House prayer times, we just sit. When someone says Amen, another will start with another prayer. It's different, but has become a real outlet for asking for help for situations that are helpless without prayer.

I've been busy busy as Charis House prepares for a Thanksgiving celebration! Woo hoo! Charis House celebrates its opening, fourteen years ago on Saturday, November 22nd. I have been helping to advertise and plan this day long event for a while now. I invite you to join with us in praying for a successful event in which news of Charis House is spread within the community and support is raised. I will surely describe the day in detail in my next entry, until then Gods peace and love from Buxton.