Whit Ventura

Today officially ended my training with Marcie, the volunteer whose place I am taking. She's been great to ride along with and observe. I'm a little nervous about going out on my own starting Tuesday (we have Labor Day off) but I think I'm pretty well prepared. My time today was spent setting up my desk at my office, writing notes to introduce myself to the few participants I haven't met yet, cleaning out the van I will be driving, and reading over notes previous caseworkers have written in my participants charts. As some of you know, I name my cars - and to continue with the color - model name combo I have going (Greeniechiva - Green Achieva, Silvetta - Silver Jetta) I have decided to name my work van Whit Ventura (White Venture). I'll post a picture of her later. Someone has taken her out for the evening.

Anyways - next Wednesday, Whit and I will be escorting several of my participants to a Bingo Lunch that CAP is having for elderly participants in three of our counties. It's definitely going to be a fun day - but I'm a little nervous about loading up four to five of my participants and driving them an hour+ back here to Paintsville to play their cards. They're going to have a ball though, so that's all that matters. I'll be sure to post some pictures!

So it's another weekend - and a long weekend at that. I think the guys are outside at the moment building a bonfire. Tomorrow we're going to a cook-out at one of our managers homes. He and his wife have eight children - all between the ages of 4 and 12ish. Two are theirs, three are adopted, and the youngest are their foster children - all which have some sort of developmental disability due to previous abuse or neglect. I'm in awe of what little I've seen of this family. So much love! Volunteers living in houses in our other region are coming tomorrow for the weekend. It will be fun to meet more people.

Just got back in from the bonfire. Raul, Heather, and I had a little freestyle - worship jam session. She just strummed on the guitar while Raul and I sang whatever was on our hearts. Good stuff. A lot on my heart. So much suffering, corruption, and injustice all around. But I have hope - in Psalm 11:7.

"For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face."

Good stuff.