Tea and Sweatpants...

I really thought we were past the days of Bible pounding and screaming at people as they walk by on the street. I'm not sure who's idea it was to yell at people to make them love Jesus but I'm pretty sure I've never seen it work. The other day I was in downtown Portland waiting for the bus. I had been standing there for a very long time, only to find out my bus wasn't going to be coming by that stop on that day! That's besides the point. Anyway, I just bought this great book from Powell's and had taken that stupid plastic cover off that always gets in the way. So I'm standing there waiting and reading this big fatty book when two girls (about my age) walked by. They didn't just walk, they starting screaming at me! It took a minute for me to figure out why they were yelling but I guess they thought I was going to preach at them! They were yelling things like "don't you tell me how to live" "Jesus also said..." I then started being like..."this isn't a Bible" and defending myself. But then I was really feeling strange about that too, was I saying I didn't want to be "caught" on a street corner reading a Bible? Grrr... I found out that I was standing under a sign for some ministry and I'm assuming those girls had been yelled at and called sinners by them before. So, all in all, I'm a bit frustrated that I can't read a book that looks like a Bible while standing on a street corner without a stranger fearing that I would call them a sinner and tell them that they will burn in hell.

Here they are in no particular order...

European Americans
Native Americans
African Americans
Latin Americans
Middle-Eastern Decent
Old
Young
New
Lonely
Single
Vegan
Transsexual
Gay
Lesbian
Gangs
Skaters
believers
Non-believers
Meat Eating
Plant Eating
Angry
High
Loud
Silent
Home Owners
Renters
Government Housing

And Jesus loves and is active in each of their lives!

Nick and I were walking back from the bus (which is a frequent for us now) when we met a new neighbor! This gentleman was sitting in a camping chair in his front lawn absorbing the sun, a great way to spend your hot evening I might add. When we got close we introduced ourselves and began the common chit-chat when people meet. He was an older man, about 75 years old. At some point in the conversation he leaped out of the chair to come closer for the chat. This, I learned was not a good idea. Not good for reasons you might expect. Now, I can understand that everyone has their favorite lounge clothes and I am certainly not one to judge. But this guy was wearing a cut off tank-top and a nice pair of boxer briefs! The best part about it is that he went on to explain to us about how he felt pretty good that he fit into this pair of shorts he found! Thus drawing awkward attention to the underwear. I didn't have the heart to tell him. After we left he went right back to his seat and the evening just kept going on. I think that one of the hardest things, when ministering to the elderly, is to ignore the awkward and funny things they do while you are listening to their crazy life stories. So, yes, I plan on listening to more of his stories and am actually praying for his outfit. I don't think I've really prayed for people's outfits before today!

The school year has been over for weeks now... I am in such a huge transition place that I don't even know what to do! After a whole school-year of dealing with the drama and emotion of urban 4th graders my life feels as if it has come to a screeching halt. At first I found peace in having time to myself. Then, I was exited for the move and that mostly occupied my time. Now, I'm in Portland and my heart yearns to be with those babies again. As we spend evenings on prayer walks and I see a neighbor kid I find my body naturally gravitating toward them to just hear the energy and passion that children have for living. I'm longing to have the comfort that I will be teaching in the fall, but God may have other plans. If you read this and you are one who prays, pray for God to give me peace and to trust his perfect plans.