Spoiled Rotten

For the past two days I've had the pleasure and honor of hosting my last, and possibly most cherished, out of town guests of the many many that have passed through my burgeoning tourism company this year. My dear grandparents may tell you they've been spoiled by being chauffeurred around three cities and countless historic sites, with breaks for fresh seafood, but they'd have it backwards, as I'm the one who's been spoiled nearly rotten by the perfect combination of love, hugs, and ice cream! Their selflessness and generosity have been two of the biggest influences toward my own desire to share what I have with others. And their philosophy of extreme bargain hunting for yourself so you can spare almost no expense on others has impacted my spending habits more than they'll ever know.

I also had the treat of sharing the grandparents with my wonderful friend Brooke for an evening while she was in town to house hunt. Unserendipitously, she's moving to town the same month I'm leaving it. I'm terribly disappointed that I won't get to call Delmarva home with her, but a bit relieved that I'm leaving the area in such good hands! Brooke is also one of the most giving and caring people I've ever known. What a luxury it's been to bask in all of this kindness! I sure hope some of it has rubbed off on me.

"The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed." -Proverb 11:25

Beautiful Feet

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

-Romans 10:15

Last night, that line of Paul and Isaiah's was used to motivate eager volunteers to serve like Christ at Baltimore's Convoy of Hope. Today, the irony of that statement became laughable as 1,101 of us squished through the mud for 9 hours, discussing throwing away our shoes after the day's use. But, at the volunteer rally it was also stated that "hope does not come without a price," and the sacrifice of a few shoes was well worth the impact this event had on so many lives around the city.

Eighty-plus churches from the Baltimore area came together, across denominational lines, and over obstacles so inclement perhaps only Noah has surmounted them until now. The week of incessant rain contributed to two broken carpal bones, two fork lifts stuck stubbornly in the mud, and at least two extra gray hairs on the heads of the leaders of this huge undertaking. But the Lord was gracious and arranged a picture-perfect forecast for us to host our guests of honor, the residents of Baltimore.

I never would have thought the concepts of "balloon art" and "stamina" would be so intimately associated, but after vying for the Guinnes record for most consecutive hours creating balloon animals, I think our small team made a difference in many children's lives. Even more importantly, the tangible gifts of haircuts, eyebrow waxing, mani's and pedi's, health checks, family portraits, groceries and clothing reached over 3,500 guests with God's love. More than 2,000 were prayed with, and 110 of those made decisions for Christ!

I'm feeling immensely thankful that we had the opportunity to participate in this awesome outreach. And a little sentimental, as this was probably my last large service project with my favorite church in the world, Mosaic.

Happily after ever...

I may have shed a tear during Fireproof tonight. I think that either makes me a poor movie connoisseur or a hopeless romantic. Either way, I'm blaming it on the relentless persistence with which marriage has been inundating my schedule this week.

Last Sunday, I went back to Louisville, for the first time in almost a year, to see two of my dear friends chose to be best friends for the rest of their lives. It was magical to witness how much it meant to them and to be a part of something so beautiful, genuine, and personal. (Between Brian Sites, Phil Wickham, U2, and Relient K, the music wasn't too shabby either.)
Less than 12 hours later I got to pre-celebrate my cousins future matrimony with a Bridal shower full of wedding talk. Back in Maryland Tuesday, on my lunch break I interrupted the Bridal shower my roommate was throwing a co-worker at our house, and faithfully did my part to prevent the other ladies from overindulging in cupcakes.

This afternoon I got together with a friend who is preparing to leave her husband. I listened to a story of a life I could not imagine for myself, and offered my unsolicited opinions with the lack of credibility having never been married myself provides.

And then I watched Fireproof. It may have been corny or low-budget, but it was sweet and sincere and true to the intent of marriage. The selflessness of a spouse is probably the closest we'll ever get to emulating Jesus, and true love can only come from God.

"Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage." -Ephesians 5:25-28 (The Message)

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless

This site may have a similar name, but it has the potential to do a lot more to affect social justice, than my stream of consciousness through this blog will ever do. Check it out...

Freedom to Spend Myself

I used to dream of a job that would allow me (and enable me to afford) to participate in every short-term mission trip that caught my eye. Last summer, I reveled in that dream's fulfillment, as working with Mosaic afforded me the opportunity to be a part of six teams over the months building up to our September launch. Today, I once again counted the blessings that this year's schedule has granted me.

After visiting the new baby of a Louisville friend from the '80's this morning, and between covering the front desk at the RMH over lunch and weeding the new garden at TSW this afternoon, I had a quick conversation with my friend Chris, about this evening's spring formal at RICA. During which he questioned incredulously, "Don't you work?!" "Not on Thursdays," was my cavalier response, but shortly thereafter I was struck by how fortunate I have been this year to be able to say 'yes' to things an ordinary work schedule would never permit.

Serving regularly with the same community partners has given me the chance to build relationships with both the leaders and members of these organizations. As much as I believe God designed us for these bonds, it's going to make it much more difficult to move on, now that I've invested my heart and not just my hands. Tonight at RICA's spring formal I learned that I am no better suited for mixers than I was fifteen years ago, but it is much more amusing to watch the awkward middle school slow dance from the sidelines. My date was our new Mosaic intern, Amanda, who I should probably keep at arms length as well, because I can already see that we are getting attached. But I do agree "tis better to have loved and lost..." and I'm pretty sure that applies to interns and churches, as well as teenagers at their spring dance.

Career Day makes me glad my career is not teaching

Today, I visited one of Mosaic's community partners, Jessup Elementary School, for career day. On a sunny Friday afternoon, when the kids haven't had a real class all day, anyone's gonna be hard pressed to keep them focused, but when you bring a cute dog with tricks into the room, mayhem is inevitable. We spoke to 9 classes of 1st, 4th, and 5th graders. Corona, my furry friend, was a perfect assistant, and the kids were hilarious. Every "question" turned into "Um, one time..." and ended with a lengthy inaudible statement about an animal. After much prompting some of them did actually have questions about being a veterinarian, such as, "Sometimes when animals are too sick to fix do you have to take them to the pound?" And the classic, "Um, do veterinarians have to eat only vegetables?" Hehe.

One student (pictured above) even dressed up like a vet. Most flattering were some of the farewells, my favorites being, a girl who blew me a kiss --it may have been directed at Corona--and one who said, "You rock!"

Teachers, I applaud you! I need a nap and I'm pretty sure Corona will sleep well tonight too.

You may now get comfortable again

...but I hope you won't.
The Get Uncomfortable growth group has officially come to a close. Last Sunday, we visited Frontline, a ministry of McLean Bible Church, to hear Todd Philips, the author of the study, preach. And then followed up with cupcakes, and garlic fries at a nearby restaurant. Tonight, we helped rebuild a playground as our group's service project, and ended the evening with pizza and cupcakes. I can't decide which has been the better marker of a successful small group semester, the level of community we've achieved or the number of cupcakes we've consumed...

The Waverly Playground in downtown Baltimore was burnt to the ground last September, this week ~1,000 volunteers are putting it back together. Participating in this construction made me reminiscent of my other carpentry attempts: assembling many pieces of IKEA furniture, assisting on Southeast's Easter Pageant set, and contributing to the massive chorus of hammering in Help Build Hope, the event where Southeast members framed over 30 homes for Hurricane Katrina victims. On each of these projects there has been at least one step that I have had to dismantle and start over, but as far as I know all the IKEA pieces are still standing, and I sure hope the houses in the gulf coast are. Jesus' career as a carpenter makes me appreciate Him even more!

Mike and Jason moving lumber.

(It was really some kind of synthetic--arson-resistant--wood, probably not called lumber)

Tom, my great partner, who let me feel useful, and asked me if I was a student!
(It must have been the pigtails)

Kate and Charis designing a tire swing.

(I don't think I'd take the first spin if I were you)My friend Debra, the RICA volunteer-coordinator who shared this opportunity with us.The after-party at Joe Squared to celebrate Charis' birthday.

In about 10 days, brand new growth groups will begin and our members will be scattered among five or six different options. But I pray the relationships we've established will continue to grow and the paradigm shift we've had about service will last.