Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Picture Project Post, August 27-September 22
Happy Fall! I won't bore you with any commentary about how happy I am it's fall and how excited I am to see pumpkins in the grocery store and leaves changing colors. About how my Spiced Pumpkin candle is lit and filling the whole apartment with its happy fragrance. I'll just get right into the super-long picture post...
_______________________________
August 27, 2009: We came home really late from a dinner with some members of our church who live in the suburbs far away from our little apartment. We had a really wonderful time talking about missions and the way God works in our lives. It's always good to be reminded about how God has come through for you in the past, especially because sometimes it's hard to see how He's coming through for you in the present. But retelling the story of how we moved here because of an unpaid internship and how God gave Luke a job when we had like $80 left in our bank account does nothing but remind me about how God knows exactly what's going on and how He works things out in His timing. And I need to remember that a lot. This is also the night my phone got stolen. And I say stolen instead of lost because we recently got our cell phone bill and the guy who stole it downloaded ringtones and games that night...I took this picture because it was pretty and poetic with the lights shining off all the open windows. It didn't translate well with my camera, though, unfortunately.
August 28, 2009: We went to play Dungeons and Dragons for the firs
t time and we had a lot of fun. I should probably take this time to make it clear that we know that Dungeons and Dragons is often associated with evil and magic. The group that we are becoming involved in is a Christian group, and is, in part, run by some of our friends here (Jordan and Valerie). While there are elements of Dungeons and Dragons that involve evil and witchcraft, those parts are eliminated when we play the game. The game is purely for entertainment and fun. The way they describe it is this: There are some people who live a lifestyle of Dungeons and Dragons. That is not us.
August 29, 2009: We went to a nearby suburb mall to go to a Yankee Candle. Man I love Yankee Candles. This is me smelling my new Spiced Pumpkin candle an
d eagerly awaiting September 1st.
August 30, 2009: We got our oil changed at a place that was right across the street from this Barnes & Noble. Bookstores both delight and perplex me. I love seeing all the different books and all the different possibilities. But it makes me sad that I will probably
never get to read all of the books that I want to...
August 31, 2009: It was a little bit chilly and I had lots of random foods, so I made a big dinner with meatloaf, mashed potatoes and fried okra. It was pretty delicious. And in the corner you can see all of my fall candles lined up and waiting to be joined w
ith other fall decorations...
September 1, 2009: A day for decorating for fall! I got out all my leaves, Luke helped me out by waking me up to the smell of my lit my Spiced Pumpkin candle. (I think he was secretly just as excited as me...).
September 2, 2009: Uzma and I went to IKEA and got these delicious cinnamon buns. I don't think anything else needs to be said.
September 3, 2009: My dad came to visit on his way home from Pennsylvania and it was really wonderful to see him and get a chance to spend some time with him. He brought me a beautiful mum and a basket full of delicious produce!
September 4, 2009: The next morning my dad and I went to the Franciscan Monastery. The skies were blue and we explored the grounds in
gorgeous weather.
September 5, 2009: I was sad to see my dad go, but didn't have time to be too sad. On Saturday the Teaters (and Heather) came up to visit! We went to the zoo, The Diner and the Nationals game, where we had the closest seats ever (4th row!). I also decided that Pete Orr (just say his name...) is my favorite Nationals player. Just look at him, he's having a good time and he's smiling. And he's pretty good, especially by Nationals' standards. We lost, of course, but a good time was still had by all.
September 6, 2009: Kayaking on the Potomac is always a good idea when it is sunny and just above 80 degrees. We also docked our kayaks and took a hike on Theodore Roosevelt Island, which wa
s an excellent decision made my Mom and Dad T.
September 7, 2009: Labor Day was restful. It ended with a small group game night at the Evans'. We played monopoly. Henry and Jane helped. I've always been bad at Monopoly because I feel bad when I take money from people. I guess I'm not much of a capitalist. I'm okay with that.
September 8, 2009: I started with at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. This is the building. The first building you see on the right of the street is the Treasury. The one right next to the White House. I work 1/2 a block fro
m the White House. Crazy, huh?
September 9, 2009: We went to see The Taming of the Shrew at the Shakespeare Company's annual Free for All. Free Shakespeare? Yes, please.
September 10, 2009: I have such an amazing husband, who had almost all of the dishes (and there were a lot) done when I got back from my Sunday School planning meeting on Thursday night. But he's wonderful for more reasons tha
n that, for sure.
September 11, 2009: I also got sick on Thursday night and was sick until the next Tuesday. But it was a perfect, grey and rainy day to cuddle up on the couch and watch Law and Order: SVU and take long naps.
September 12, 2009: I was feeling good enough to have a meeting with the college kids on Saturday. We also went downtown to drop off some books at the library and we browsed through the book sale that was going on. The rest of the day I spent lounging on the couch.
September 13, 2009: Still sick, I missed the first day of Sunday School and of College Bible Study. Big bummer. Plus it was a gorgeous fall day and I couldn't go outside. But I did celebrate the fall day with my tiny pumpkin pie candle and by watching a gorgeous orange and purple sunset. And it was almost as good (okay, not really...).
September 14, 2009: Still sick, this is what my day consisted of: pillows, tissues, hand sanitizer, gatorade, water, ginger ale and Cry the Beloved Country (inspired, of course, by Rachel).
September 15, 2009: Feeling better but still really weak and puny (probably because I went about 5 days without eating much...), I stayed at home one more day to make sure I didn't get anyone else sick. But I, shamefully, watched a TON of Gilmore Girls (my most recent guilty pleasure)...
September 16, 2009: Hooray! I was better for the special date I had planned for Luke on Wednesday. Fuddruckers and Walking with the Dinosaurs, a BBC production that had HUGE robotic dinosaurs walking around on stage and fighting. It was pretty well done. Quick story: After our date we were going to bed and Luke would not stop making dinosaur noises. Just as I was about to fall asleep Luke says "Hey, what's your favorite dinosaur..." and continues to excitedly make more dinosaur noises. I said "Wow, now I know what you must have been like when you were three." Luke's response? "No, I was annoying when I was three..." I love my husband.
September 17, 2009: They started s farmers market on Vermont Street right in front of the White House. I went to the opening day and it was pretty cool. Though you can definitely see the juxtaposition of poor and rich, with the poor sitting on the outskirts and the rich buying expensive goodies and treats within the boundaries. Well done, DC.
September 18, 2009: We had a coupon for an $11 stuffed crust pan pizza from Pizza Hut, but they were out of the crust. They did try to sell Luke a regular pizza...for $17 instead. So that was nice of them...
September 19, 2009: We went to Charlottesville to see dear Kevin. We explored Old Town, UVA and a used bookstore with over 100,000 books (it claimed it, and we believed it!). We even saw a fashion show. It was amazing and really wonderful to hang out with Kevin. I love seeing old friends!
September 20, 2009: My first Sunday at church with all my new responsibilities. Get there at 9:15 for little kid Sunday School and stay through college Bible Study. We'll be at church for about 5 hours every Sunday this year...
September 21, 2009: This is the street the Evans live on. We go there every Monday night for our wonderful Bible Study. There is a beautiful tree on their street and it is turning colors and shedding its leaves. I like this tree.
September 22, 2009: We awoke to a foggy, cool, fall morning. Happy Fall everyone!
_________________________
August 27, 2009: We came home really late from a dinner with some members of our church who live in the suburbs far away from our little apartment. We had a really wonderful time talking about missions and the way God works in our lives. It's always good to be reminded about how God has come through for you in the past, especially because sometimes it's hard to see how He's coming through for you in the present. But retelling the story of how we moved here because of an unpaid internship and how God gave Luke a job when we had like $80 left in our bank account does nothing but remind me about how God knows exactly what's going on and how He works things out in His timing. And I need to remember that a lot. This is also the night my phone got stolen. And I say stolen instead of lost because we recently got our cell phone bill and the guy who stole it downloaded ringtones and games that night...I took this picture because it was pretty and poetic with the lights shining off all the open windows. It didn't translate well with my camera, though, unfortunately.August 28, 2009: We went to play Dungeons and Dragons for the firs
t time and we had a lot of fun. I should probably take this time to make it clear that we know that Dungeons and Dragons is often associated with evil and magic. The group that we are becoming involved in is a Christian group, and is, in part, run by some of our friends here (Jordan and Valerie). While there are elements of Dungeons and Dragons that involve evil and witchcraft, those parts are eliminated when we play the game. The game is purely for entertainment and fun. The way they describe it is this: There are some people who live a lifestyle of Dungeons and Dragons. That is not us.
August 29, 2009: We went to a nearby suburb mall to go to a Yankee Candle. Man I love Yankee Candles. This is me smelling my new Spiced Pumpkin candle an
d eagerly awaiting September 1st.August 30, 2009: We got our oil changed at a place that was right across the street from this Barnes & Noble. Bookstores both delight and perplex me. I love seeing all the different books and all the different possibilities. But it makes me sad that I will probably
never get to read all of the books that I want to...August 31, 2009: It was a little bit chilly and I had lots of random foods, so I made a big dinner with meatloaf, mashed potatoes and fried okra. It was pretty delicious. And in the corner you can see all of my fall candles lined up and waiting to be joined w
ith other fall decorations...September 1, 2009: A day for decorating for fall! I got out all my leaves, Luke helped me out by waking me up to the smell of my lit my Spiced Pumpkin candle. (I think he was secretly just as excited as me...).
September 2, 2009: Uzma and I went to IKEA and got these delicious cinnamon buns. I don't think anything else needs to be said.
September 3, 2009: My dad came to visit on his way home from Pennsylvania and it was really wonderful to see him and get a chance to spend some time with him. He brought me a beautiful mum and a basket full of delicious produce!
September 4, 2009: The next morning my dad and I went to the Franciscan Monastery. The skies were blue and we explored the grounds in
gorgeous weather.September 5, 2009: I was sad to see my dad go, but didn't have time to be too sad. On Saturday the Teaters (and Heather) came up to visit! We went to the zoo, The Diner and the Nationals game, where we had the closest seats ever (4th row!). I also decided that Pete Orr (just say his name...) is my favorite Nationals player. Just look at him, he's having a good time and he's smiling. And he's pretty good, especially by Nationals' standards. We lost, of course, but a good time was still had by all.
September 6, 2009: Kayaking on the Potomac is always a good idea when it is sunny and just above 80 degrees. We also docked our kayaks and took a hike on Theodore Roosevelt Island, which wa
s an excellent decision made my Mom and Dad T.September 7, 2009: Labor Day was restful. It ended with a small group game night at the Evans'. We played monopoly. Henry and Jane helped. I've always been bad at Monopoly because I feel bad when I take money from people. I guess I'm not much of a capitalist. I'm okay with that.
September 8, 2009: I started with at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. This is the building. The first building you see on the right of the street is the Treasury. The one right next to the White House. I work 1/2 a block fro
m the White House. Crazy, huh?September 9, 2009: We went to see The Taming of the Shrew at the Shakespeare Company's annual Free for All. Free Shakespeare? Yes, please.
September 10, 2009: I have such an amazing husband, who had almost all of the dishes (and there were a lot) done when I got back from my Sunday School planning meeting on Thursday night. But he's wonderful for more reasons tha
n that, for sure.September 11, 2009: I also got sick on Thursday night and was sick until the next Tuesday. But it was a perfect, grey and rainy day to cuddle up on the couch and watch Law and Order: SVU and take long naps.
September 12, 2009: I was feeling good enough to have a meeting with the college kids on Saturday. We also went downtown to drop off some books at the library and we browsed through the book sale that was going on. The rest of the day I spent lounging on the couch.
September 13, 2009: Still sick, I missed the first day of Sunday School and of College Bible Study. Big bummer. Plus it was a gorgeous fall day and I couldn't go outside. But I did celebrate the fall day with my tiny pumpkin pie candle and by watching a gorgeous orange and purple sunset. And it was almost as good (okay, not really...).
September 14, 2009: Still sick, this is what my day consisted of: pillows, tissues, hand sanitizer, gatorade, water, ginger ale and Cry the Beloved Country (inspired, of course, by Rachel).
September 15, 2009: Feeling better but still really weak and puny (probably because I went about 5 days without eating much...), I stayed at home one more day to make sure I didn't get anyone else sick. But I, shamefully, watched a TON of Gilmore Girls (my most recent guilty pleasure)...
September 16, 2009: Hooray! I was better for the special date I had planned for Luke on Wednesday. Fuddruckers and Walking with the Dinosaurs, a BBC production that had HUGE robotic dinosaurs walking around on stage and fighting. It was pretty well done. Quick story: After our date we were going to bed and Luke would not stop making dinosaur noises. Just as I was about to fall asleep Luke says "Hey, what's your favorite dinosaur..." and continues to excitedly make more dinosaur noises. I said "Wow, now I know what you must have been like when you were three." Luke's response? "No, I was annoying when I was three..." I love my husband.
September 17, 2009: They started s farmers market on Vermont Street right in front of the White House. I went to the opening day and it was pretty cool. Though you can definitely see the juxtaposition of poor and rich, with the poor sitting on the outskirts and the rich buying expensive goodies and treats within the boundaries. Well done, DC.
September 18, 2009: We had a coupon for an $11 stuffed crust pan pizza from Pizza Hut, but they were out of the crust. They did try to sell Luke a regular pizza...for $17 instead. So that was nice of them...
September 19, 2009: We went to Charlottesville to see dear Kevin. We explored Old Town, UVA and a used bookstore with over 100,000 books (it claimed it, and we believed it!). We even saw a fashion show. It was amazing and really wonderful to hang out with Kevin. I love seeing old friends!
September 20, 2009: My first Sunday at church with all my new responsibilities. Get there at 9:15 for little kid Sunday School and stay through college Bible Study. We'll be at church for about 5 hours every Sunday this year...
September 21, 2009: This is the street the Evans live on. We go there every Monday night for our wonderful Bible Study. There is a beautiful tree on their street and it is turning colors and shedding its leaves. I like this tree.
September 22, 2009: We awoke to a foggy, cool, fall morning. Happy Fall everyone!
_________________________
Phew! That was a whole lot of pictures...
Sunday, September 20, 2009
unworthy servant...
the plan, originally, was to do a picture post tonight. i'm far behind and i need to catch up. but we all know how i get along with plans, and tonight i have some thoughts that i need to work out, and i tend to do that best on my blog. hopefully you will forgive me if my thoughts are jumbled and incoherent.
lately there has been a feeling in my heart that i can't describe. it feels as if i am suffocating...as if this city is slowly suffocating me. or i blame it on the city...but it's possible that it isn't the city at all. and rather it's that there is something missing...
i've been off track recently--spinning out of control. it's like i've lost my focus and my purpose. but the funny thing is, i wasn't ever truly aware that i had one to begin with.
sitting down to do the budget yesterday i looked back at our past couple months expenses and realized that we gave more money when we were struggling to get by. when luke and i were making barely more money than our rent, we were more open to giving it away.
last fall when i was doing my unpaid internship i hardly dreamed of going to starbucks. last week i went twice. TWICE! and while that may not be a big deal in the long run (and really, i'm sure it is not), the big deal is that on my way to and from i avoided eye contact with a number of men and women in my community who are in need of housing (including at least one who i knew, quite well). i don't know why i did this...maybe because i was ashamed that i was carrying a $3.85 cup of coffee...
see, i blame this feeling inside of me on the city. i say that the city is suffocating me, or squishing me. that i don't belong here, that i just need to escape for awhile. but maybe, really, i need to just get back on track. maybe i need to regain my footing. repent and slowly move back together to walk with God...to speak His words and pour out His love...
today we were in the college small group, and we read this passage (luke 17:10). it struck me because it says that even if i am doing all that Jesus asks of me, i am still an unworthy servant, in need of grace. and right now, i'm not even doing that...i'm less than an unworthy servant. but still in need of grace.
i don't say all of this because i'm beating up on myself. in fact, i think that it might be one way that i can see God growing me. i don't think that in this i have become worthless because i have fallen and need to (once again) be picked up. rather i just long to start over again, to be made new again, to repent again and accept grace again. and to start to be and do what i was made to be an do (whether or not i realize it). and that's the beauty of it all. that we get second (and third and fourth...etc...) chances.
the passage also reminds me that nothing that i have is my own. when i am selfish, whether it be with my money, my time...my life...it is with things that i do not even own. and when i do something that is commendable, it is not me who deserves the glory, it is Him. for His power is made perfect in weakness, and since His power is always perfect, i must be perpetually weak.
life is so beautifully complicated. i want to learn to embrace that.
ps. the guys next door, who are usually loud and fighting and arguing and playing video games, are watching (what sounds like) babar. and it makes me laugh.
lately there has been a feeling in my heart that i can't describe. it feels as if i am suffocating...as if this city is slowly suffocating me. or i blame it on the city...but it's possible that it isn't the city at all. and rather it's that there is something missing...
i've been off track recently--spinning out of control. it's like i've lost my focus and my purpose. but the funny thing is, i wasn't ever truly aware that i had one to begin with.
sitting down to do the budget yesterday i looked back at our past couple months expenses and realized that we gave more money when we were struggling to get by. when luke and i were making barely more money than our rent, we were more open to giving it away.
last fall when i was doing my unpaid internship i hardly dreamed of going to starbucks. last week i went twice. TWICE! and while that may not be a big deal in the long run (and really, i'm sure it is not), the big deal is that on my way to and from i avoided eye contact with a number of men and women in my community who are in need of housing (including at least one who i knew, quite well). i don't know why i did this...maybe because i was ashamed that i was carrying a $3.85 cup of coffee...
see, i blame this feeling inside of me on the city. i say that the city is suffocating me, or squishing me. that i don't belong here, that i just need to escape for awhile. but maybe, really, i need to just get back on track. maybe i need to regain my footing. repent and slowly move back together to walk with God...to speak His words and pour out His love...
today we were in the college small group, and we read this passage (luke 17:10). it struck me because it says that even if i am doing all that Jesus asks of me, i am still an unworthy servant, in need of grace. and right now, i'm not even doing that...i'm less than an unworthy servant. but still in need of grace.
i don't say all of this because i'm beating up on myself. in fact, i think that it might be one way that i can see God growing me. i don't think that in this i have become worthless because i have fallen and need to (once again) be picked up. rather i just long to start over again, to be made new again, to repent again and accept grace again. and to start to be and do what i was made to be an do (whether or not i realize it). and that's the beauty of it all. that we get second (and third and fourth...etc...) chances.
the passage also reminds me that nothing that i have is my own. when i am selfish, whether it be with my money, my time...my life...it is with things that i do not even own. and when i do something that is commendable, it is not me who deserves the glory, it is Him. for His power is made perfect in weakness, and since His power is always perfect, i must be perpetually weak.
life is so beautifully complicated. i want to learn to embrace that.
ps. the guys next door, who are usually loud and fighting and arguing and playing video games, are watching (what sounds like) babar. and it makes me laugh.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
the things i forget.
I'm tired tonight. But for some reason I'm still awake. It probably has something to do with that fact that Luke is still doing things for work...
We went to see Free For All Shakespeare tonight. The performance was The Taming of the Shrew. I never really know what to think of it.
It's been an interesting week so far. I started my internship at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and jumped right in with a seminar on poverty. It was interesting and depressing, of course. Questions about race and wealth disparities rule my mind right now...
Tomorrow the new census bureau report on income, poverty & health insurance comes out and will most likely rule my day...
Saturday night on the metro I watched a girl who looked no more than 13 years old who was dressed provocatively step off the metro and listened to several people snicker and make comments about "jail bait" and "whores". She had what is commonly known as a "tramp stamp" on her back. Do you know why they are called "tramp stamps"? It's because pimp's tattoo them on "their" women in order to further show them that they are owned. More than likely this girl was on her way to her pimp who later that night would take her to the track and sell her repeatedly to men...
I feel emotionally assaulted right now and completely powerless in every way...who said that their yoke was easy and their burden light?
Oh yeah, Jesus.
Pastor Wong spoke on Matthew 11:28-30 and I was reminded again that Jesus says "learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart..." And that's the key I always seem to forget...
...who wants to be gentle and humble in heart anyway?
How lucky we are the Jesus not only told us to be gentle and humble in heart, He not only told us to love others as ourselves, and He not only told us to seek first the Kingdom of God...but He showed us how.
And how lucky we are the God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Because I don't know about you, but I mess up all the time and I need all the love and grace I can get.
We went to see Free For All Shakespeare tonight. The performance was The Taming of the Shrew. I never really know what to think of it.
It's been an interesting week so far. I started my internship at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and jumped right in with a seminar on poverty. It was interesting and depressing, of course. Questions about race and wealth disparities rule my mind right now...
Tomorrow the new census bureau report on income, poverty & health insurance comes out and will most likely rule my day...
Saturday night on the metro I watched a girl who looked no more than 13 years old who was dressed provocatively step off the metro and listened to several people snicker and make comments about "jail bait" and "whores". She had what is commonly known as a "tramp stamp" on her back. Do you know why they are called "tramp stamps"? It's because pimp's tattoo them on "their" women in order to further show them that they are owned. More than likely this girl was on her way to her pimp who later that night would take her to the track and sell her repeatedly to men...
I feel emotionally assaulted right now and completely powerless in every way...who said that their yoke was easy and their burden light?
Oh yeah, Jesus.
Pastor Wong spoke on Matthew 11:28-30 and I was reminded again that Jesus says "learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart..." And that's the key I always seem to forget...
...who wants to be gentle and humble in heart anyway?
How lucky we are the Jesus not only told us to be gentle and humble in heart, He not only told us to love others as ourselves, and He not only told us to seek first the Kingdom of God...but He showed us how.
And how lucky we are the God is slow to anger and abounding in love. Because I don't know about you, but I mess up all the time and I need all the love and grace I can get.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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