I Went to Princeton...

Well, not really, but for a whole day...

Just got back this past week from a road trip up to Princeton to visit its seminary for my friend, Molly. We drove and drove and drove through six states from Saturday-Monday...yeah...whew.

But, it was totally worth it. We were M&Ms for Halloween up at James Madison University in Virginia and then, up in Princeton, we took tons of pictures of the beauty of Autumn and of that place. It really makes you think, "does this really exist?" It was so beautiful and it just made me want to read while I was there. We walked around the downtown area Sunday night and ate delicious food and ice cream. Then on Monday, we went to chapel on campus, then to lunch, and finally a nice tour.

The visit up there was somewhat of affirmation for me--the kind that made me realize that I don't want that. I do want to ask hard questions. I do want to be surrounded by people who are trying to figure it out. I do want to be surrounded by beauty. And I am. Those desires have come to fruition where I am and they can come to fruition wherever I am.

One of the things that was unsettling was the affluence so evident there. But, I also have come to this point of realizing that poverty is not just a physical state--it is represented in each of us. We must see the poverty within ourselves before we can address the poverty in others. And it is in this community of relationship that we can begin to meet poverty that we discover and that others can respond to our poverty.

It's a simple, yet complicated life we've been called to live...so here are some pictures...

Home again...

I recently went back to Georgia for a quick visit that colleges like to call "Fall Break." Apparently, schools in California don't get this indulgence. Regardless, I appreciate our school's desire to celebrate this beautiful season. The leaves are changing and falling at the same time. I realized last week that I've been walking with my head down or straight ahead to whatever is directly in front of me. I haven't been looking around a whole lot lately. So, this past week I have tried to look around. The problem is, when I look around, I see what I don't want to see. I see need. I see things that I need to respond to. I also see beauty in nature and beauty in others. Yesterday morning I was walking to work and glanced over my shoulder to see a couple of tree lining the street that were the most brilliant color of orange. I think the sun was shining on them at that moment and they never looked so beautiful, even though they will change and have to go through the whole process again.

We must change. We must never be so content that we don't see the need in and around us. We need change and seasons to be reminded of all that was and all that is to come.

Fall break was great. I got to be in the Peanut Parade...you have no idea how many times I have told people that and they've said, "What is that?!" ha...they just don't know! I got to see teachers and students at the school, dear friends whose kids I love and who change too quickly, and my own wonderful family who let me relax and just sit with them. Bethany, Jamie, Melonie, and I all met up on my way back up to TN in Atlanta for lunch. Jamie has become Poppy--he brought us all apples from North Georgia. It was so great to just sit with these people God has connected me to so deeply...and it felt like we were grown up...my brother is married and none of our parents were there. Weird.

Ok...done here...more to come from the road trip that I'm about to embark upon!

POSSUM!

Thought it was time for a little story time with Melodie...and a light one at that.

Today I was walking Banjo, the dog...he is quite the hyper dog and likes to sniff out everything. So, every day for the past week he has sniffed at this one spot along the walking trail. Well, today I wasn't paying attention and half of his head disappeared into the grass/growth along the trail. So, being the great dog walker that I am, I yanked and yanked on the leash until he came out of the hole. The whole time I was yanking I was thinking, "what if there's a snake in there or something."

Well, out of the hole pops Banjo with a........POSSUM in his mouth!!! You read that correctly...a possum...huge possum...like eyes bulging and huge rat looking thing...possums are way gross.

So I immediately start running away from banjo and p-doodle the possum....when I realized that I'm still holding the leash and that I have to keep holding the leash because I'm responsible for this crazy dog who is holding a possum in his mouth! So I just jump up and down, scream, and generally freak out...and it worked. Banjo dropped the possum and started running WITH me away from the, what I thought was, dead p-doodle.

But, oh no...p-doodle possum was not dead...when we came back, p-doodle was back in his hole or somewhere else! I thought bulging eyes p-doodle was dead when banjo found him, but I was wrong...he was just playing possum.

Exciting News!

I don't know why, but I am continually surprised when God answers me and prepares the way that I could never have seen. I moved back to Jefferson City, Tennessee to pursue my Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language about two weeks ago and in that short time, God has affirmed me being here over and over again.

I found out this past Monday that I received a Graduate Assistantship so school is paid for and I get paid to work for the Education Department during the week! Talk about a load off!

Today was the third Sunday at the same church and each Sunday, my eyes have welled up with tears because of a fullness of Spirit I feel when I'm there.

I've already hung out with my Sunday School class multiple times since being here.

I got frustrated yesterday over not having a desk yet...I know...crazy to freak out about. So I went to a few thrift stores and couldn't find anything and when I was in the car, I thought, "Okay...why are you freaking out? Just wait...you will fine one...don't rush this...be patient." Today, a friend asked me if I needed anything and I almost said, "Nope...I'm fine." But, instead thought about the desk....she thinks she has a few I could pick from for free. It's the little things that are huge.

Oh and Wednesday, I got a call from the church I'm attending to do child care that night, so now I have a job on Wednesday night keeping babies for a few hours....and I get a free meal! I was so pumped about that...girl's got to eat!

I saw my cousin Jeff the other day and he said, "Do you think maybe God wanted you here?"

Yeah, I do.

it's official!

I now abide in the Volunteer state once more...moved up last week and it's been a great transition so far. Church on Sunday was just deep and rich and prepared...I heard this song that I haven't heard in AGES...

"Hard as it seems, standing in dreams...Where is the dreamer now?
Wonder if I wanted to try, would I remember how?
I don't know the way to go from here, but I've already made my choice...
This is where I'll stand until he moves me on
And I will listen to his voice.

This is the faith--patience to wait when there is nothing clear.
Nothing to see, but still we believe Jesus is very near.
I cannot imagine what will come, but I know that I have made my choice
And this is where I stand until he moves me on
And I will listen to his voice.

Could it be that he is only waiting there to see
If I will learn to love the dreams that he has dreamed for me?
Can't imagine what the future holds,
But I've already made my choice
And this is where I stand until he moves me on
And I will listen to his voice."

Yep...that about sums it up.

to good friends...

Just a note to all of you out there who have been there for me...not to get sentimental and all, but praise God for you. You have carried me through much, even if you don't know it. Love is strong and actions performed because of love, even small ones, speak volumes to the heart. We have support in each other and that's a beautiful thing. Love to you all...and a special shout out to John and Ginger who make my photography skills a little easier. ;)

summer update...

I feel like the past week and a half has been quite the whirlwind. I went up to ATL to my sister's on Friday, picked Grace up from the airport Saturday, and drove down to Sylvester on Sunday. Grace and I toured Sylvester (which took a total of 10 minutes) and Albany on Monday...ate pink hot dogs with coleslaw, delicious cookies, and vegetables fresh out of the garden, and walked by the river with big oak trees. Tuesday we headed to the Ichetucknee River and floated down it with two friends....it was a delight. You know when you have those almost perfect days when everything seems right with the world...it's when we allow simplicity to have its way...glorious. We floated, laughed, flipped over in our tubes, talked, and just enjoyed the day. Wednesday, Grace and I headed back to ATL and spent some time with Sherikaboo...we went to the MLK, Jr. Center/campus that afternoon and ran into people from Chicago...go figure...Dr. Perkins was there. We stayed in the AC while they had a nice (i'm assuming) memorial outside and we decided that Scoretta King may have existed. We hung out like we've never left each other and like three years has not passed between us. Thursday we ate at Waffle House...mmm...and then Grace and I headed to THE AMERICAN IDOL auditions in ATL...hahaha...we were soooo pumped! We sat outside for hours hoping to see "dreams die here" (quote directly from Grace). It wasn't as dramatic as we hoped, but wow...just to be outside! There are some crazies out there. Then we headed to the Coca Cola Museum and tasted every coca cola product...haha...wish I had video of that! Then we walked downtown and found the Patriotism Museum...AHHHH MAZING! There will be pictures...don't you worry! Then I reluctantly drove Grace to the airport....wah wah. Friday my sis and I headed to Sylvester and stayed until Sunday when I drove her back and headed back home Monday.

See...whirlwind, right?!

Throughout the week, I was reminded time and time again how wonderful it is to know people and to be known. It's so easy to be with certain people...it felt so natural to be around Grace again...almost to the point that I take it for granted...you know? This happens with some people I've known all of my life and others that I have just started to get to know...it is such a blessing...and so filled with the Spirit that I almost miss it sometimes.

This ordinary, every day comfort of good friends and people to love and to be loved by is such an intricate part of the kingdom and is so natural...sometimes I wonder if that's why we miss the kingdom so often?