Alright guys. This is my attempt at explaining this last week. There's no way I could ever find the perfect words to explain this and help you to understand, but I can sure try! 

Alright we took the train there and once we got there, we had a bunch of walking to do with a bunch of luggage. Connor literally brought the biggest bag I have ever seen and boy did we have stairs to take. We probably had about 30 minutes of walking/subwaying in Chicago before we actually got to our dorms. Here's where it gets complicated. We all thought we were serving in a homeless shelter and living there the whole week through an organization called the Jesus People. That's partly true. The Jesus People are actually a community of a mixture of old school hippies and some other people that have come together to live in an old hotel together to minister the good news to people. There is about 400 people living in this hotel. There are families reaching up to 4 generations, single people, married couples, etc. it's so hard to explain...Jesus people have multiple shelters in Chicago that these people work in. They also have little coffee shops, skate shops, roofing companies, etc that people apart of the community can work in to support the community. It's absolutely crazy what a contrast these people's lives are to ours. And that's a very very watered down and probably very confusing explanation. Jesus people has dorms next to this hotel for people who want to come serve along side them that we stayed in. One we made it there, we met Micah. Micah was our contact through out the week. He showed us around and planned out everything we did and such. Okay moving right along. Three meals are served a day in the hotel for the people, and on Tuesday that was our first time meeting the people. Basically we got our food and were told go branch our and meet random people ranging from babies to elderly living completely different from you! That might have been the best part. Meeting these people. They all have AMAZING and unique story's as to how they came to live in the community. After our meal, we wet out on the town. IT. WAS. COLD. Gah. They don't call it the Windy City for nothing. We walked around a bit, encountered some not so happy poor people, and learned what NOT to do in Chicago. Man we are all such tourists.

So once we got back to the dorms every night we would generally play cards and eat junk food for a while and if you're a party pooper like me, went to bed at like 11 every night. I was exhausted every night. Soooo tired. Our first day we had to be in the lobby by 8 so we got up and had breakfast (with the community) and then met up with Micah to see what we were in for that day. Our first day we reveled down to cornerstone (their main homeless shelter and where all the shelters meals are served) every Wednesday they give out groceries to people who can afford a home, but don't have any money left for food. So they basically have every grocery you can think of put out for them, and anyone can come through and get some free groceries. Our job was to regulate. For instance one of the things I handed out broccoli heads. I was told to only give them one, and countless people would beg me for more. Just one more. Some wouldn't even pay attention, simply hungrily grab what they knew they needed. It was really interesting to see thevariety of people. Some were soooo thankful an said god-bless god-bless to the whole food line. Others wouldn't say a word, keep their head down and take what was given to them. Others would verbally fight until they got what they wanted, some would just smile and try to tease you into maybe just one more apple an so on. There's also a wide range of culture up here. There is a lot of Asian, Hungarian, some German, polish, etc. so accents were also a challenge. After this we met up with Lida. She's apart of the JesusPeople community, has been for over 30 years, and is the volunteer coordinator at cornerstone. She told us some more of the communities history, as well as the shelters. After the grocery line, me and a few others went and helped out this guy named David. He's been with Jesus People since last July. He's in his twenties and a pretty cool dude. He asked us a lot o questions that I wasn't expecting and really helped me to see and think about stuff I wouldn't have other wise. We went on a mission to find a crib for a family staying at cornerstone in their giant pile of donations in the basement. MASSIVE I'm telln ya. We also got to hand deliver the crib to the family and see some of the shelter. Next part of this day is kind of funny. The rest of the group, while the three of us where finding a crib, where on clean up duty. They were directed to clean out a recently vacated room so it could be repainted and back in use. According to them it wasn't the most pleasant job. Well while this was going on, our crib finding expedition ended and we got the job of arranging flowers for the cafeteria. Later when we were exchanging stories of the day between groups, us three flower arrangers had quite the laugh while the other 8 weren't quite so pleased. Jokingly of course. Our group was actually really really awesome. A lot of us didn't know each other too great but it didn't even matter. Everyone was cordial at all times and willing to work with anyone. It was really awesome and frankly a blessing sent straight from Him. Okay. After the cleaning and arranging and such we traveled to yet another building run by Jesus People that has the Free Store on one of its floors. The Free Store is just what it founds like. A thrift store for the shelter community that is completely free. It is literally loaded with everything you can imagine. And the back of it is even more loaded with bags upon bags of donations of stuff that we had the job of sorting and hanging up. This place is goodwill on steroids. The free Store is open every Friday. Anyone can come in and get whatever the please and basically the rest of the week is spent recovering from that crazy Friday. After the free store our first work day was complete! We got back to the dorms around 5. we had dinner with the community and here is here we met some seriously cool people. We met the teenagers living in the Jesus People community. THEY WHERE AWESOME. We also learned these kids tend to play dodgeball with the youth groups that circulate through on mission trips. So of course we set a date for Thursday. After this we want back on the town, saw a THREE STORY TARGET. I about died. Came home and I collapsed and went to bed. Other hooligans stayed up till the wee hours. 

 Alrighty. Day three! Breakfast WAS SO GOOD. I have never had bacon of that standard in my life. Sorry dad <3. Today I got to paint and I really enjoy painting...and painting on others...I started painting around 10 and basically did that until about four minus a short lunch break. Me, India, Shelby, and Aubrey were on painting duty in the rooms they had cleaned up the day before while everyone else prepped and served meals in the shelter! Once we got back we ate at the hotel and met even more teenagers in the community! These guys also took us to the beach, too! This was around 6ishhh. Elizabeth, Dunkan, and Killian took me, India, Hunter, and Aubrey. Once we returned to the dorms, I pretty much got down on my knees and BEGGGGED Josh to let me run. He finally gave in and took me. India also tagged along and Josh, India, and I went and jogged around Chicago for about 30 minutes. It was sweeeeet and not something ill soon forget. One we got back it was dodgeball time. WAIT. This is out of order. We jogged, ate dinner with the other teenagers, beach, and then dodgeball! They have this sweet play ground area with a concrete court for just about anything, like dodgeball. Our initial game was JPUSA vs west side. They killed us. Murdered us. Annihilation. They play with these old school rubber balls and it was scarryyyyyyy. Karianna said at one point "it's like they're bred for dodgeball!"  After we split up and mixed up and probably played dodgeball for about an hour and a half. If not more. It was a freaking blast. After we played basketball a little bit and like four of us played volleyball with a doge ball. It was awesome to get to interact with such unique people but at the same time people just like us. Oh how he loves us just came on. Best song ever. We got back around 11 and I was simply dead to the world. After jogging, tag at the beach, and 2 plus hours of recreational sports I was done for. 

Day four! Man oh man did I feel Thursdays sporting events. I was soooooo sore. Today we split into two groups and I ended up prepped and served lunch at the homeless shelter! Time to explain John Paul. JP is a volunteer at Cornerstone I saw there every single day. He was soooo charismatic and just crazy! I hate to think I might forget him. He was so welcoming and just helpful. We didn't have a clue what we were doing and he never once made us feel bad for it. He was sooo awesome. Here's the even cooler part. I found out that John Paul is actually homeless, too. He has just as much as any one on the people he serves every day, yet he finds a way to give them so much more than that. JP was definitely one of my favorite people. If you think of it pray pray pray for him. He recently landed a legitimate job in a restaurant and I pray God simply gives him wings to keep flying upward. Thursday was our "tourist" day so we got done at 1 and set out for the town. IT WAS COLD. I realized something about myself on this trip. I HATE BEING COLD. A LOT. Especially for extended amounts of time. I seriously would straight up shut down and not say a word, trying to conserve heat. I am such a baby, I'll admit it. But man that was unpleasant... We took the L-train to the upper side of Chicago and went to a huge Nike store, apple, a Lego store, etc. then we had DEEP DISH PIZZA. Gah. I have no words for it. It's just something you have to experience yourself. After eating we set back for home. SOOOO COLD. I WANTED TO CRY. LIKE SERIOUSLY IT HURT. After like 30 more minutes of walking we finally made it, I didn't take off shoes or anything, grabbed my sleeping back and curled into fetal position on a couch for about 20 minutes while I thawed. I took a hot shower and collapsed on my bed once again. The Holy Spirit works in mysterious ways. Generally I'm the loud one. In all honesty I like to be the center, making awesome weird memories and making people laugh. Because I was so cold, I became the quiet one, kind of. I didn't really have any one person I stuck with the whole time either, which is unusual for me. It feels like God wanted to show me a different perspective this time around. I'm not entirely sure why yet. But that was one of the big parts of the trip for me. 

Day five! We're closing in now! I served in the kitchen again, but it was a weekend day so it was a different staff in the kitchen. That was cool to get to meet even more people at the shelter! Through this whole week, we generally ate lunch in the shelter with the residence at Cornerstone. This was something i still need to think about. They told us to branch out and talk to them but it was haaaaard! At the hotel with Jesus People, anyone you talk to they share a similar faith and are welcoming. People at the shelter are much harder to read. A few would love to talk, some are honestly ashamed and just want to be left a lone. Some had mental illnesses and it was  scary to approach them. Everyday it was a brand new experience for all of us, getting out of our comfort zone, trying to do the will of The Lord. Oh! We also had a devotional with Rich that morning before serving! Alright. Rich is this sweet guy we met one of the first few day. I actually met Richs mom first. So their two stories were pretty cool. Rich is this tall lanky guy with long hippy hair, tatoos everywhere, Gages, piercing, the whole package. But once Rich starts talking about his faith in The Lord you really can't help but shut up and listen. Most people in the Jesus People community are like that. On the outside, anyone would judge them and put them in the hippie/rebel/alt category. Which they kind of are, but their faith is absolutely inspirational. Rich was a really really awesome person to listen to and talk to. His devotional was one of my favorite times. Later in the afternoon we also got to talk to this guy named Dave. He's unique because he doesn't actually have a job in the community, but rather works as a movie critique in Chicago and is actually a pretty big deal. India about died. It was really fun watching her talk about her passion, movies, to someone living that passion out. Around 4 we set out for comedy sports. This is an improve comedy show put on by acting communities that Josh's brother happens to be a part of, Tim. Also know as SPACEMAN TIM. It was about a 90 minute show, hiiiilarious. After we went and got frozen yogurt with SPACEMAN TIM and of course his spaceman wife.  I GOT A PICTURE WITH SPACEMAN TIM. Who is spaceman TIM you may ask? Why he is a character from this years past CIY. So of course anything associated with CIY causes me the up most joy. UP MOST  Him and Josh also look exactly alike. Rode home, froze to death, and finally made it back. We noticed some of our new found JPUSA buddies by the courts and me, India, hunter, and Connor went over and had a dance party until about 11. Man I already miss them. I can't even imagine leaving all these amazing an impacting people despite the fact I already am. Once we got back it was time to stuff all of our clothes back in our bags and clean up, this was our last night. Somehow, no matter what, everything you stuffed in your suite case on your way to any trip never seems to fit back in the exact same bag on the way back. NEVER. 

We have finally reached today. We didn't serve at all this morning but instead went to church! They actually have their own church service at Jesus People. Their church service is similar to West Sides, but much different songs (much more soul and bluesy) and they do this cool thing at the beginning called prayer time. You're suppose to get in a circle with whoever and simply pray. They have a list on their bulletin of things happening in the community but you pray what's in your heart in a community. It was yet another really cool experience. I walked up to a random group of people and at first they were a little taken aback but still they welcomed me no less me and prayed for me and I prayed for them. This is yet another example of the huge hearts Jesus People have. The whole week, no matter what I felt welcomed by them. Jesus just always knows. Afterward was lunch. Every Sunday they have rice and beans for lunch. We met up with some of or new found friends and after lunch they actually came over to our dorms and helped us clean! Well some did...others offered "moral support." Here is where I began to have a bit of a panic attack about FCA. I knew in my heart it's in Gods hands and there were plenty of people there I trusted but FCA is my baby if you will. I have worked so hard and care so much it was frightening to not be there. But my resources tell me it went swimmingly. :) I think all of the people in our dorms, JPUSA or west siders, kinda thought I was a little bit of a freak because I was getting so anxious. But Gods got me. After cleaning we kind of went and explored and the JPUSA kids showed us their rooms and such. Once you're about 4 or 5 you move out of our parents room and get your own room you can do whatever, absolutely whatever, you want to it. Basically like we would have our own room only a few doors away from our parents. That was cool. Then we went back to the dodgeball courts and played some soccer. Boys against girls. You can imagine how we'll that went...India had fun! We had to be back at the dorms by 1. We brought all of friends and Josh talked to us for a while and we kind of had open discussion about the whole week! Afterwards we played high jack with everyone. Its a very fun card game, especially with such a large group. That was suuuuuuper fun. We had  to leave for the train by 2 though, so we packed up and were on our way. While serving in the kitchens, Faelyn had encountered a cake in the shape of a lamb donated to the shelters. The cook saw her excitement and have it to her, well we never got around to eating it so we handed it over to the JPUSA kids. They of course proceeded to have a full on a cake fight right outside in the alley. Me and India got nailed in the face and couldn't do anything about it for about anther hour until we got to unction station. That was quite the send off I must say! Right now thinking about it, I can't imagine ever going back to Chicago again with any other purpose but to serve with Jesus People. I've seen so much an experienced so much in the poor side of Chicago, going there to do anything but serve others isn't something I can even contemplate right now. Alrighty. I'm almost home! About an hour! I've done my best to give you the best explanation I can, but in person is so much better.  Best Spring I've ever broken.