For those of you that have ever had more than a 5 min convo with me, you probably know that one of my favorite places in the world is Inglewood, California. Former home of the LA Lakers and current home to Cali Swag District. To top it off, the city slogan is the best that I’ve ever heard: City of Champions. Pretty legit, huh? I know. Aside from the ballers and hip hop artists that make Inglewood their home, it is also home to Impacting Hearts – an organization that I love dearly. IH works with foster youth all around LA and provides a fun mentoring program with outings and activities for them to be involved in. They provide opportuinities for people to love on kids, have fun and most importantly share Jesus. For the past 3 years I have spent every Thursday night with some of the coolest kids in the world. I could prob write a novel about how much I miss these kids, but I will save you the pages by summing it up: I miss them MUCHO.
Not only is Inglewood my fav place, but this time of year also has a super special place in my heart. If I was in LA I would be preparing for our IH Christmas extravaganza – delish food, games, Santa appearances and giving gifts to over 100 kids. Sounds like a pretty fab party, huh? Some of my greatest LA memories are of us running around the mall trying to buy 57 ipods or a pair of Anaheim Angels PJ pants (ya just never know what kids are going to ask for). The following weeks would include my apartment being covered in decorations and presents being wrapped all over the living room. Some could view this as chaos, but for me it’s the greatest thing I get to do all year.
Last week I got an email from IH about signing up for jobs at the Christmas party, and it’s highly possible that I shed a tear realizing that I wouldn’t be there. Sad day. But God is funny and always has my back – check it: the next day we showed up at our ministry site and guess what our job was?! Buying Christmas gifts for kids!!!!!! The Lord knew I needed to feel some connection to my LA favorites.
Without a doubt I will spend the next 10 months missing Stephan rapping in my backseat and Davante talking about how he can almost dunk, but I love how the Lord is bringing new people and places for me to love on into my life. I guess i'm learning that just because you love a place dosen't mean that you stay there forever. Maybe God had you there for a time because he was preparing you for what's next. I know my time in Inglewood was most definitely preparing me for many of the things I am experiencing now. I will forever love the City of Champions, but for now I'm excited to be where God has me and to see where he will lead me next.
PS- Shout out to all my Inglewood loves!!! Praying for you guys always and can't wait to reunite!!!
PSS – I mean, can the kids in your youth group do this?! Check the video:
