A blog post? What is that? It seems like it’s bee forever
since the last time I posted. Well, it has been a pretty long time. The last
post I made was on December 14; this was our day of silence. I actually wanted
to get a post up before then, but that obviously never happened. So much has
happened since Thanksgiving. So, I’ll start from the beginning.
Two days before thanksgiving, I was mugged. Now, don’t
worry. I was home at Christmas so, I’m obviously okay. What had happened was, I
had some morning meetings at work and then a meeting with a mentor/supervisor
in the afternoon just before having to go to work. It was after my afternoon
meeting when I was heading back to work, I had just looked at my phone to see
when the next bus was coming. It was going to be about ten more minutes so I
decided to walk up to the next bus stop. Two men were walking in my direction
and when they were within six feet or so, they asked if I had any money. Well,
of course I didn’t have any money, I’m a poor missionary. I replied no. They
began to push me back and forth between them. I felt like a tennis ball, a ping
pong ball, or something. The entire time I was thinking to myself, Oh God,
please help me! Just then, I heard one of them say “Oh sh*t! The cops!” and
they ran away. I never actually saw the police or police car, but I’m forever
grateful they were there. Nothing of mine was stolen. Like I said, I’m a poor
missionary and had no money, but they didn’t take my phone or my wallet.
Physically I was fine, but I was pretty shaken up for a couple days. I am very
thankful for my Breakthrough family for offering me rides to and from work for
the next week until I felt comfortable taking the bus and walking again.
Early Thanksgiving day, my roommates and I got up and went
downtown to the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! It certainly was no Macy’s
Parade, but it was still great! There were marching bands from all over the US,
lots of horses and ponies, and many balloon cartoon characters. Sadly, there
were no clowns. For those reading that might not actually know me, I’m a clown!
I guess you could say I’m a multiple personality. His name is Humphrey Adolphus
McGillicuddy. So, that’s why I was disappointed there weren’t any. Nonetheless
a great parade and experience!
After the parade I was able to spend it with a special
friend. Yes, he was my boyfriend. We went to one of his friends’ house and had
an enjoyable dinner with great food, wine, fun, laughter, football and lots of
fellowship.
Something else that happened the week of Thanksgiving is
that one of our roommates transitioned out of the house. She did not feel like
she could commit to what was asked of her, and therefore resigned from the YAV
program. She is still living in the city and working at the organization she
was placed at. I want to wish her well in all she desires.
Shortly after Thanksgiving, I was on my way to work and
someone was being chastised by the bus driver because she apparently hadn’t
paid her bus fare yet. She had a small child in a stroller and was at the back
of the bus. No one on the insanely crowded bus was moving to let her up to pay
her fare. I heard her say something about how she only had a $5 bill. She was
asking if anybody had change to break it into singles. I was distraught by the
actions of everyone on the bus. I finally went back to the bus driver and used
my bus pass to pay this young lady’s fare. I had the means to do it and no one
else was even concerned or even remotely willing to help. As she exited the
bus, she was grateful to me for paying for her. Later that same day, I was on
my way home and on another crowded bus. I had taken the last seat available. At
the next bus stop after I had gotten on, a frail elderly lady had stepped onto
the bus. This was after school and the bus was filled with school aged kids.
Not one of them offered to give up their seat so this woman could sit down. I
gladly offered my seat. As I got off the bus, she thanked me for giving up my
seat to her, also the bus driver expressed his appreciation. I’m glad I was
able to do a couple of good deeds this day.
Now, this next event, I’m not sure when exactly it happened,
but it was quite the experience. A friend of mine needed to get some things out
of his storage unit. He called me and asked if I could drive a van. I agreed. I
was apparently the only one of his friends who had a valid driver’s license. We
agreed on a day and time that I would meet him to help him do this task. We
arrived at the Uhaul place to pick up the van. After the paperwork was
completed, the lot attendant went to get the vehicle for us. Much to my
surprise, here comes a ginormous moving truck! Okay, it really wasn’t that big,
but it was big enough. I was terrified! I hate driving to begin with, but this
seemed like an impossible task! But I was up for the challenge. We only had to
go about a mile or slightly more up the road. I thought to myself, “I can do
this.” Getting there wasn’t a problem. Getting back, that was a bit more
challenging. I had to drive down some narrower streets and maneuver around
buses. I made it back, no scratches on the truck! And, I only ran over one
curb! We got back to his place and unloaded his stuff and returned the truck
without any problems! I can now check “Driving a Uhaul through Chicago” off of
my bucket list!
There really is no way to transition from driving a moving
truck to love, but somehow it’s okay, it doesn’t need a transition. I had the
wonderful opportunity to date a great guy for a brief amount of time. The
relationship was only three months, but it was a really good three months. We
had some great times together! I was able to experience new foods and go to
places I may not otherwise have been able to go to. Sadly, just after the New
Year, we separated. At first I was disappointed, I felt like I was going to
die, but I’m still alive. I felt like my world was crashing down, but after
processing all of the emotions and thinking through things, I realized it was
for the best. People come into our lives for a reason. I really learned a lot
about myself and I am so grateful for the time he and I shared. I really do
wish him well on his quest for love and what he wants out of life. Yes, I miss
him, but in time I hope we can be great friends.
Finally, my placements have changed just slightly. When I
first began this year I was working with two different ministries: the first
being Breakthrough Urban Ministries where I was helping out in the second grade
class of the after school program and also at First Church of the Brethren assisting
in the youth ministry. I am now only working at Breakthrough Urban Ministries.
The youth ministry just wasn’t working out for anyone. I needed more commitment
from the church, but I wasn’t seeing any. I could have an outstanding youth
program, but when I leave at the end of my internship, the kids would leave
right along with me. I gave my suggestions as to what they could do to keep
something going, but I wouldn’t be able to be there on a regular basis.
Instead, I am now working in the Breakthrough Beginners, which is a preschool.
I teach music! This has been a great experience so far! The kids are so great
and they are soaking up all that I am teaching them! I am also teaching the
literacy lesson in my second grade class one day a week. This is quite a
challenge due to some of the kids with behavior issues. But it will get better
as time goes on.
I want to thank you all for your love, support, prayers, and
encouragement! You have no idea what it all means to me.
Blessings,
James Monroe Potts