Some of the things I see on my street every day

All photo credit to Sara

AGH! AGH! AGH!

Chris and I are in the midst of planning our annual Halloween outreach. In past years, the church has thrown elaborate Fall Festivals with games, food, prizes, etc. Unfortunately, we don't have the money or volunteer base to pull off another of those this year, especially since Chris could be a dad any day. We've decided to go for the route we went last year: passing out homemade brownies and hot chocolate in the late afternoon. We had a stack of tracks on the table in front of church, and tried to pass them out with the brownies. Unfortunately, we saw a lot of those in the streets later, or tossed in the garbage with the napkin the brownie was served in. This year we'd like to at least get the tracts into the homes of those we serve, and maybe Bibles as well. We also plan to focus more on the Spanish-speakers who are moving closer to our avenue every year. Please pray for us as we try to find a simple yet effective way to reach the many in our neighborhood who have no idea who Christ is or what our church is trying to do. Pray that our memories will be discerning as we recall what worked (and didn't) last year, as well as other years.

IFC, I love you!

"Office star and director John Krasinski will appear in person Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at the 6:25, 8:20, and 10:15pm shows of his new film, the David Foster Wallace adaptation Brief Interview With Hideous Men."

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS WAS MADE FOR ME

On our way to Redeemer

Student Spotlight: Silverio

Kind of a weird picture, but this is the only portrait I have of this quick little boy.
Silverio is in the same 1st grade class as two of our other students, and he's fit right in at afterschool. He's very intelligent and energetic. He loves all things action, but particularly superheroes, Nintendo characters, Bionicles and Bakugan. He also tends to think that he's right about EVERYTHING, and loves to push limits, whether that be by climbing on top of the piano or counters, or lecturing other kids until fights break out. Please pray that he would use his exploration to discover what he needs to know, but not simply to be disrespectful or inconsiderate of others.

Pierced!

So in Philly last week, Sara and I randomly decided to get our ears pierced. No big deal, right? Except I've never, ever done it. Well - I have one cartilage piercing, which I got when I was 15. But after 23 years, my earlobes remain intact. I like that. The problem is that it's the main reason I've abstained all this time. I tend to define myself not by what I do, but by what I don't do, or haven't done, and when it comes to something as harmless as this, that's kind of dumb. I like earrings! I've toyed with the idea of piercing my ears for more than a decade, and there's no reason to be stubborn about this issue. I particularly wanted to get them done with Sara, who's leaving soon. In the past we've swapped friendship bracelets or clothing before separating; this time, it's ear gear. So when we passed a Claire's on our recent trip to Philly, we agreed to do it together. That's right, we did it 12-year-old girl style: a handheld gun in a mall kiosk. See, we're already making up for lost time.

A little nervous...
Sara's Ready-or-Not face(s).

I'm so punk.

Please parden my pity party, but it's that time of year.

Lately I've been feeling empty without really knowing why, and I guess I've been distracting myself by thinking If I only had this, I'd feel better... I'm fairly anti-consumerist, but fall is always the worst and I find myself longing for seasonal clothes, food, film, travel. Isn't that silly, when I have a closet full of clothes and I live in this exciting city where God wants me? I shouldn't be materialistic, I know, especially when I have no means...but I wish I had something that I felt represented me! I have no favorite outfit, no fallback when I want to feel good. It's quite sad. My dearest green jacket died last spring, too, so that front is bleaker than ever. And I'd like to paint, sew, all that, but it takes money too. I ought to draw more. I settle myself with what I have: the library, wonderful library that I love so much! And fanciful food is an entire other longing, second to fashion but similar in style: simple, elegant. I want tea, tea, fresh fruits and pretty vegetable medleys. Hearty soups and homemade breads. Instead I've got...umm, mac and cheese, if I'm lucky. I shouldn't complain, never never never. And WANTing defeats so much in all the themes I care to claim! Oh well, oh well.

I slept thru staff meeting this morning, but Chris called Luke, who woke me up, and I rubbed on concealer and ran over, half an hour late. Now I feel better, though. The teaching was on encouragement, and everybody kept nodding and sighing and saying how HARD the Christian life always is, how DIScouraging, especially for those of us in leadership and "on the front lines." I've heard it all before, but it DID encourage me - the bad or nothing I feel is spiritual, and it will pass. Like Rilke said to Mr Kappus, right? So do not be afraid, dear....

Suppertime

This is what downtime in a missional community looks like for me right now:


Behind the scenes, it's my siblings and I sharing life in a single room. Eating whatever we can find in the back of the cupboards, everything cooked in that same bent pot. Sitting on the messy floor, waiting for the community vacuum to circulate back to us. Using chopsticks because someone legitimately stole our silverware last time youth group came over. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on VHS and SNES. Chinese candy wrappers all around from an outreach we held here last night. Crushed red pepper flavoring every food. SAY Yes backpacks sorting our belongings and those of our absconded roommate(s). My sister in my clothes because she didn't bring her own. The three of us in this apartment for what feels like forever, no end date in sight or desired at all.

I think I'm okay with all that.

Makkuro Kurosuke

Gotta chase away these types!

Last night we watched Spirited Away and made absurd amounts of pancakes. Perfect! And Chris came over while I was in the kitchen and we discussed business while I baked amid stacks of breakfast foods and dirty dishes, ahh.

I'm in love with fall food. It's the one thing I can focus on and really love about this coming cold, since new scarves, boots, tights and jackets elude my spartan budget. But for $5.69 at market, I got five lbs of potatoes, three big apples, four lumpy pears, two gigantic green bellpeppers, a carton of baby spinach, and four large kiwis! I want to learn a delicious squash recipe, since those are so cheap, and also take advantage of inseason sweet potatoes, corn, cranberries...Oh man! Fall and winter produce! A season of abundant Thanksgiving! Thank You!

Yesterday I deposited my summer bonus check at the bank (yayyyy) and ran to the library to swap out (mostly) DVDs. I now have four old favorites: Laura (a film noir that influenced Twin Peaks), Sullivan's Travels, My Neighbor Totoro, and Whisper of the Heart. Yippee! Autumn is looking all right with these kind of provisions.

Philadephia!

Basically, we
lost our cellphones
met Shane Claiborne
and got our ears pierced.

Further explanation and more photos coming soon!

Consuming Kids

Pete's new apartment has a sturdy porch roof that he regularly paces when we talk on the phone. I'm jealous.

Bubble Gumpas

Six of my first graders blowing bubbles at the park today.
Music: Goon Gumpas, by Aphex Twin.

One step beyond!

My class gets a chance to limbo in the backyard!
Music: One Step Beyond, by Madness

Saw this trailer before Ponyo, and I totally want to see it when it comes out!