Anyone else have Will Smith's "Summa, summa, summa-time" stuck in their head? I do. Summer time is definitely on it's way, and for some reason there is something about summer that tends to kick things up a bit here in the city. We experienced similar things last year, and we are beginning to notice that apart from the normal excitement of vacations, beach days, and barbecues, there is something else that seems to brew in the city during summertime. There is a type of anticipation, as if along with the rising heat comes rising activity. The weather is hot, people are outside more often, some folks may have less to do. Summertime. I struggle to put what this type of anticipation feels like into words. I have a mental picture in my head of a little kid wanting to leave the house after a long winter, because finally they can get outside to play. Although what we seem to experience isn't always play. Summertime seems to mark a rise in violence across the city, and there have already been numerous instances in just one week.
While looking for apartments or houses, those of us who moved into the city have made jokes about where our location is in relation to a potential drive-by. We have laughed over this at times, thinking about how funny it is that we now consider what would be the safest room, what our emergency plan is - it is funny but serious. And after a week like this one it becomes less funny. The reality of where we live sets in again, and while we have already seen such growth, change, and hope occur, darkness is still deeply imbedded. Light still needs to break through in many ways, and we are reminded of why we are here.
Sometimes the challenge for us is simple, yet hard to carry out. Choose not to fear. Choose to take walks even when in my mind I have doubts and fears. Choose to love. Choose to love those who I would otherwise walk away from or even avoid. Choose to trust. Choose to trust that God is greater, and has each moment of my life in his hands, from beginning till the end. Easier said than done. But this is the challenge for me, to choose these things on a daily basis, to truly put God at the center of my heart and mind, and to choose Him above all else. So as we are vacationing, and beach-daying, and barbecuing in whatever city you may be in this summer, let us strive every day to make the choice to choose Him.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Grateful
Wow... so much has been happening over the last few months! I again apologize for a lack of updates, but hopefully this blog will show a bit of where our minds have been lately.
I find my heart bursting with gratefulness these days at all the exciting things that have been happening. Let me share a few.
1. THE HOUSE! We have been in the house for almost two months now, and while it has been a ton of work (and will continue to be for many years to come) we absolutely love being here. It has been amazing to both of us how quickly this house has felt like home. It is such a joy to have our own space, and it's some of the little things (or HUGE if you haven't had them in a while) like laundry machines, a backyard, and plants to water, that seem to make us happiest :)
2. A DOG! Chris and I knew that we wanted a dog but were not sure when it would actually happen. Well a few weeks ago Chris and I got the opportunity to adopt an amazing 5 month old puppy named Lokey (I know, apparently the most recent evil character in the Avengers movie). We seriously feel like Lokey is our child. She brings us so much fun and laughter-- it is wonderful. This little love bug loves to cuddle and give kisses like none other, and we gladly receive them. Lokey is also great at meeting new neighbors! Leave it to dogs and children to bridge the gap, but so far because of Lokey's presence I have met multiple new kids on the block. Take a look at this little cutie...
3. GRADUATION! My days in grad school are finally coming to a close, and I could not be more thrilled. My time in grad school has been a tremendous experience. I have learned so much, grown in many ways, and made some fantastic relationships with classmates and professors. It has been a great gift and I value this education so much. I am also grateful for the vision that God is beginning to stir in my heart for what might be around the corner and where he wants to place me next. Pray with me as God leads my steps in this. Chris also continues to be rockin' away at his MBA. He is a serious stud and has been working so hard at being one of the top in his class. He is a year away from graduating and is dreaming about what kind of business opportunities he wants to pursue in the future.
It has definitely been a time of transition as we adjust to new norms, a new street, and new work/school opportunities. I am excited about summer coming up so that I can work on a few house projects, spend some more time out on the street getting to know neighbors, and becoming more involved in things that I have not been able to before, like reading for pleasure, blogging, and just plain having fun. It's going to be a busy summer, but stay tuned for more updates and stories about life in the CPT.
I find my heart bursting with gratefulness these days at all the exciting things that have been happening. Let me share a few.
1. THE HOUSE! We have been in the house for almost two months now, and while it has been a ton of work (and will continue to be for many years to come) we absolutely love being here. It has been amazing to both of us how quickly this house has felt like home. It is such a joy to have our own space, and it's some of the little things (or HUGE if you haven't had them in a while) like laundry machines, a backyard, and plants to water, that seem to make us happiest :)
2. A DOG! Chris and I knew that we wanted a dog but were not sure when it would actually happen. Well a few weeks ago Chris and I got the opportunity to adopt an amazing 5 month old puppy named Lokey (I know, apparently the most recent evil character in the Avengers movie). We seriously feel like Lokey is our child. She brings us so much fun and laughter-- it is wonderful. This little love bug loves to cuddle and give kisses like none other, and we gladly receive them. Lokey is also great at meeting new neighbors! Leave it to dogs and children to bridge the gap, but so far because of Lokey's presence I have met multiple new kids on the block. Take a look at this little cutie...
3. GRADUATION! My days in grad school are finally coming to a close, and I could not be more thrilled. My time in grad school has been a tremendous experience. I have learned so much, grown in many ways, and made some fantastic relationships with classmates and professors. It has been a great gift and I value this education so much. I am also grateful for the vision that God is beginning to stir in my heart for what might be around the corner and where he wants to place me next. Pray with me as God leads my steps in this. Chris also continues to be rockin' away at his MBA. He is a serious stud and has been working so hard at being one of the top in his class. He is a year away from graduating and is dreaming about what kind of business opportunities he wants to pursue in the future.
It has definitely been a time of transition as we adjust to new norms, a new street, and new work/school opportunities. I am excited about summer coming up so that I can work on a few house projects, spend some more time out on the street getting to know neighbors, and becoming more involved in things that I have not been able to before, like reading for pleasure, blogging, and just plain having fun. It's going to be a busy summer, but stay tuned for more updates and stories about life in the CPT.
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