Sunday, July 24, 2011

Farm Shares

Well, we've signed up. To take part in the Grant Family Farm Share, that is. Along with some friends from church, we have purchased one vegetable "couple" share and one "single" fruit share. Our first pick up will be this Tuesday...the first of a 22 weeks gig.

To be included in our vegetable share this week:
Kohlrabi, green onions, romaine, carrots, kale, cabbage, garlic, broccoli, cylindra beet, English Peas, summer squash

what even IS kohlrabi??? I don't know but I am excited to find out. What an awesome way to incorporate new greens/veggies in our diet while also supporting local/organic farming!

Fruit share: 3 pounds of pitted cherries, 4 pounds of rhubarb. I guess I'll...make a pie, or 3?

Excited for this new food adventure! Thank you Holdiers for clueing us in!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Embarrassed

A few months ago-quite a few months ago- I got embarrassed about our God.

You see, there is a girl that works at my school. She's a refugee, and even that aside, has lived a pretty...difficult life. And there's alot I could and would like to share about the many difficult things she has overcome, but I don't think that would be fair. So...just take my word-the girl is tough.

And she is a faithful follower of our God. And she sings (literally and figuratively) his praises incessantly.

In the foyer of our school there is a piano (that someone generously donated.) One morning we both arrived to work a bit early, and she asked me to join her on the piano bench. She then proceeded to play and sing a hymn (which hymn escapes me at the time). As people were gathering,watching and listening she kept urging me to sing.I must confess my first thoughts were not good ones. I was embarassed, asleep, not used to such open expressions of praise...timid as a small crowd grew.

Well shame on me...so I sang. I started my work day with a song of praise to God (at my workplace no less). And silly to say, but true nonetheless-it was empowering, invigorating, and perfect.

I humbly apologized to God at my hesitancy, and thanked him for the privilege to live and work in a place where I was capable of praising him so openly. And I pondered my embarrassment of being asked to praise my Maker publicly, while people all over the world are punished, imprisoned, and killed for daring to do so.

We are babies here. I am a baby of the faith.


God, grow me up. May I be more like my friend.

every sinners song...

Sometimes all we believe
Turns out to be just a scam
Just trying to get my world
Get it undamned

It's been my lifelong song
Who'll take me Just As I Am
Help me to get my world
Get it undamned

I've got a thousand lost songs
(Far too many they just got away)
I've done a thousand things wrong
(Far too many for me to name)
But I'm not too far gone
To fall
Headlong
Into the arms that love me

Don't count me out just yet
I'm not your little lost lamb
God might still get my world
Get it undamned

I've got a thousand lost songs
(Far too many they just got away)
I've done a thousand things wrong
(Far too many for me to name)
But I'm not too far gone
To fall
Headlong
Into the arms that love me

I've got a thousand lost songs
(Far too many they just got away)
I've done a thousand things wrong
(Far too many for me to name)
But I'm not too far gone
To fall
Headlong
Into the arms that love me

Over the Rhine. "Undamned".

Friday, July 1, 2011

The reason(s) for which I am joyous of late

We invited them over but they said it wouldn't work...but what would work is us bringing dinner to them. So we did. Still in the process of unpacking, they were welcoming, hospitable, and completely down to earth. A refreshing little family living life in a refreshing way. We talked, and talked, and laughed and laughed. Thankful for new friends that make me double over in laughter.


It began with a dinner invitation. We weren't quite sure what to expect. Good conversation, good friends, and a freaking amazing dinner was shared. A competition has begun. A fun-hearted "foodie" competition. Gourmet meals shared alternatively at each other's homes...let's keep it going dear friends...my taste buds are lovin it!

They came...those dear ones of mine. And it is what made my summer. We adventured around the city, we laughed, we toured, we talked. We spent a memorable evening at Mynt, followed by a delicious grilled feast shared with our two best friends. I loved sharing my parents with our dear housemates. And I loved the laughter, the honesty, the questions, and the people. Oh, and the dancing. And then on Sunday morning they sang with Mar (as Mark always sings with him when we venture to CA). And my eyes welled with tears of the utter joy of hearing my father sing. Miss that so much... miss them so much...if ever we "settle", would love to settle near those two.

On Father's Day, with aforementioned friends, we were sharing a wonderful "dim sum" meal at a chinese kitchen, when Maung Way called. Always eager to talk to my friend, I answered. His words.. "baby come, baby no come, I don't know". Hmm...I guess we will make our way to Denver Health then.
So we did. And the baby DID in fact come. And she was so strong, and so brave. And he was so sad that he couldn't be there...so very very sad. And she wanted ME to be with her while she delivered. So I put on a brave face...and once she started pushing quickly sat as I realized my legs were and would give way, and I watched Saw A K come into this world. It was such a breath-taking moment-my very heart gasped as they put him in her arms. To share more would lessen it...it was a gift.

And then, the following Saturday, dad came home. So he called and we hurried to Grace. Oh my dear, dear friend.
(It took me...18 months to get those two girls to talk and play with me. And I am crazy about them, head over heels in love with them. But he is and always will be my favorite. He is the keeper of that family, and everything is more delightful when he is with them).

We hugged and hugged...there were smiles all around. There was laughter that nearly took both me and Maung Way to the floor as we replayed the babies first minutes and my subsequent near collapse. The family was whole and it was a wondrous day. He is my brother, in every way. I love him like one. Oh, there will be a day when communication doesn't stand in our way, and what a day that will be.

(And (I) keep all these things in (my) heart and think about them often). Lk 2:19