And so it Begins...

Well the last days of my summer have been full of doing a lot of nothing. You would think I would have time to update my blog...but let me tell you, doing nothing is TIME CONSUMING! So instead you get me at a time when i have something to do...and then there's time for blog writing.

This week is the beginning of the end for me. I am finally a senior in college, and will be done with all required academia in a short eight months. From there, I can decide to never step foot into a place of formal education until I volunteer at my children's kindergarten. I'm not gonna lie, that option sounds very nice to me.

And yet, here I stand, facing another school year and I am actually surprisingly excited! First of all, I have the most wonderful schedule, with great classes, awesome profs and some good friends to take the classes with. And then I also have the internship of a lifetime that will be talked about later in the post. I have a job that pays me, that i totally am in love with. I have the most WONDERFUL roommate (which can make or break a semester, let me tell you!) And I have a super high bunk-bed. which is bringing out my inner child.

Ok so lets talk about my internship. I'm actually not sure how much I'm allowed to say, so i'll keep it purposfully vague. but God was definitely at work in hooking me up with this job. All of my other options kept falling through and I finally emailed this one guy who is the Probation Officer in the same city my school is in. But he didn't email me back. So I looked up his number on some random directory I googled. He picked up immediately and was excited I called. He asked where I went to school.
"I go to Biola University."
"Oh wow! you do realize that we're located in the Sheriff's department RIGHT across the street, right?! this would be so perfect for you!"
*suzy in awe and fumbling with her words* "Oh my goodness! that's so awesome!"
"Ok so how bout you come in and see me in the next few days and we'll get you started. Actually if you could come in on Monday, the District Attorney will be here, and you can meet all the people who will hook you up with ride-alongs and cases...would that be ok?"

HA! would that be ok!? that is an interns DELIGHT! I was so excited that there was definite hopping and yelling going on after the phone call.

so I meet him. work out logistics. I did indeed get to meet the DA and actually since her intern is leaving next month, she's gonna find some stuff for me to do to help her with some court cases! (YES!!!) I met all the higher up Sheriffs and security people. If i wear my little badge, I have access to everywhere in the station, including all the files and records of all the kids we work with. (its a pretty big privelage)

In any case, my job includes learning how to input information in the computer as well as attend every interview/meeting between my supervising P.O. and any minors or parents that come in. I have read case files that, I kid you not, are a good 4-6 inches thick. I love learning the ropes...encountering different dilemmas, personalities and people that we have to figure out how to handle. I knew after my first day that this is where I belong.

It is going to be a challenging place to share Jesus. After just one meeting with some parents, I was so drained, and I hadn't said a word! I can't even imagine how people can get sucked dry every day and have no way to be filled back up. I want the love I have from God to overflow to these hurting and broken people. they need it bad. I want to give hugs to the despondent, but I am not allowed to touch them. God, how do you expect me to reach these children and parents? I trust you, though, because its the only way I could ever think of getting through to them.

the office is literally right across the street...so I could easily walk to it. It gives me more time for working because before I had had to count the commute as part of my available time. In all, God has been more than amazing to me, as I start this next part of my journey!

I shall update more after classes start on wednesday...

peace.