The State Department and Indianapolis.

A few weeks ago the State Department and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) made a visit to Indianapolis to visit the two refugee resettlement offices located here. The visit included a time for the refugee agencies to come together and discuss all of the good (and some bad) going on in the 'refugee world.' It was great to be able to get an update on things happening across the world and the way it affects our work here domestically. It was also great to be reminded of the great work being done by Catholic Charities Immigration and Refugee Services and how work done here affects thousands of individuals and families living across the globe. The day concluded (well for me anyways) at a stakeholders meeting, where around thirty community leaders gathered to share their concerns and thoughts on Indianapolis being such a large placement site. Although there were some concerns raised, the Indianapolis community is so welcoming of the refugee population and so eager to do what they can to make this transition to American life as easy as possible. Indiana has proven to be a step above the rest when it comes to hospitality!

Indy Star covered this site visit here.

This video also gives a great portrayal of the reason so many 

refugees flee their country each day. 

Nine Lives

Although the saying usually goes that cats are the ones with nine lives I'm beginning to think that this might apply to dogs as well. Some of you might recall the horrid event two years ago in which my sweet dog Sophie escaped from the house and was missing for two hours. (In case you missed it, you can read about it here.) That was one of the worst few hours of my life! However, another worst moment of my life happened again this week. I was upstairs doing laundry while Coy was out watering the lawn when I realized I hadn't seen Sophie in a little while. After frantically searching the house, the backyard, under the deck, and in all closets it was official that she was GONE. Not only was she gone but she got out of the house on hubby's watch (meaning she escaped on one of his trips in or outside the house). 

I ran through the neighborhood, in my pajamas, in the dark searching for her. However, she is almost completely deaf now so yelling was of no use. I finally got back in the car while Coy searched on foot. As I drove through the neighborhood, which was now completely dark, I prayed and prayed that she would return, for myself and to spare my marriage the stress of added conflict of blaming Coy for her disappearance the loss of Sophie and the sorrow this could cause me. 

As I neared our house and was on the brink of giving up a neighbor was pulling out of his driveway and asked if I was looking for a dog - a gray/black small dog that doesn't hear very well. He had just finished a conversation with his next door neighbor who told him about a dog he found wandering around. The sweet, precious man saved Sophie, picked her up, and took her inside his house where he called the police. The timing of this was nothing short of a miracle and I know that my prayers were heard. Not only was she safe but my marriage was saved. (Okay - this is an exaggeration, I love Coy enough to forgive him, but I anticipate that it would have been a rough journey to get there). 

I think however that Sophie has used up her last pass. I'm hoping this is the case anyway because my heart cannot take any more of these hours of misery while she is out living in up on her own. 

It is not her time yet and I am hoping for many more years with this 

sweet thirteen year old princess dog. 

New Backyard Addition.

Last weekend Coy and I were excited to add a new firepit to our

backyard! It ended up being extra great because it was a lot cheaper and easier to install

than we had originally thought! Now, if this rain would just stop we could actually get some use out of it! 

Hubby

Today I am extra thankful for Coy.

{Sometimes it's important to just take a step back 

and recognize those who make our life so much better...}

 I am thankful for this love and for his strength. I am thankful for his companionship. I am thankful that he makes me laugh everyday and that the next minute he can be a shoulder for my to cry on. I love the care that he gives to me and his compassion towards others. I am thankful for his love for Christ and that he is my prayer partner. I am thankful for his encouragement. There have been days lately where I just feel like I cannot take another step, days where I just want to crawl in my bed and never get out. And yet, he is my motivation to make it through another day, knowing that at the end of it all he will he home waiting for me. 

He is not only my husband and my companion but he is my best friend. I am blessed beyond words to have him and would not trade our life together for anything else in the entire world. 

A Great Friday for the Books.

This past week one of my very dear friends was in town and we got to spend the day together! Not only was this a great visit because we hadn't seen each other in several months, but also because I got to meet her sweet daughter for the first time! We are only a few hours away but life has seemed to get in the way of every weekend opportunity to make a trip to meet precious Eden. It was so wonderful to have several hours of uninterrupted conversation. laughs, encouragement, and of course some good coffee, good food, and shopping.

I'm not going to sit and gloat for hours about my amazing friend Nicole (one because I don't want to make you jealous, two because I just did that in this post, and three because no amount of words can ever do justice to the sweet spirit in my dear friend. What I will say though is that I was so blessed with my time with her. She has turned into such an amazing woman of God. I am blessed beyond words for having her in my life and I am so glad that we got the rare occurrence to spend time together! I will treasure this day until the next time we meet!

 And I will cherish this face forever, but really, how could you not!

 I could not get enough of this smile, this chunk, and her sweet smells and sounds! 

To Be Honest...

• I could eat a whole bag of croutons in one sitting (seriously - I have a problem).
• I am filling big shoes at work with my program director's maternity leave and I actually love all of the added responsibility (well, so far anyways).
• I still love coloring Easter eggs and wish I was still young enough to enjoy an Easter egg hunt.
• I cannot tolerate liars. Especially people who give really ridiculous lies...I mean do you really think I'm a big enough idiot to believe you?
• I have an almost unhealthy TV obsession.  
• I accidently greet my dogs daily with more enthusiasm than I give my hubby upon arriving home from work. It's not because I love them more but they often are more excited to see me than even he is!  
• I am in the process of trying to develop a green thumb. I have a LONG way to go I've discovered.
• It pains me each month to get our cell phone bill.
• When I compare my circumstances to that of others it can either make me feel so much better about my life or so much worse. I think in the end it is just not worth the risk of it being the latter.
• I thrive off perfection and being right about all things. Luckily hubs knows this about me and loves me anyway.
•  I cannot go to sleep at night with clothes laying across my floor or knowing there are dirty dishes in the sink.
• I have road rage, regularly.
• There is nothing better than having my feet in the sand reading a good book. 
• I have little to no secrets. My life is an open book if you just ask. 

Catholic Charities Blog

Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services has a blog! And of course it would be great to get as many people exposed to our program and to Refugees!

Today, I was the first (and only) blogger! Check out my posting here. And make sure to follow our blog for the latest Refugee news!

Easter.

I love Easter. I love what the message of Easter means and the display of great sacrifice made by God and his Son. I also love all of the Easter fesitivities...coloring eggs, hunting for eggs, and Easter baskets. I don't care how old I am I will never be too old to enjoy these things. Of course now I leave most of this to my seven nieces and nephews but it's still just as fun!
Here are some pics of the festivities!