Boom Boom Pow

Training, done. We finished training yesterday at the Joe Rush Center for Urban Mission. It was interesting transition for me. Coming from the borderline-OCD model of ASP, in which training is a 10-day whirlwind of foundations, rafters, and skillsaws where every moment is planned, I often found myself apprehensive with the lack of stress that went along with this week. Our first night, we moved in, did a bit of orientation and went grocery shopping. That night, as we went to sleep, we heard a what sounded like someone firing off a round in our hallway. Oddly enough, as I laid there frozen, my first thought was not, "Oh crap I hope Tori is ok..." or "I'm about to be shot...", but rather "I reeeeally can't let Mom or Gran find out about this." Turns out it was just Tori's door swinging open and nailing the wall. There have since been loud sounds resembling gunshots at night, but I think Chief Deb-o put it best when she said, "Don't worry about it. They're not shooting at you."

The next day was spent getting CPR/First-Aid certified, eating, and hanging out. A goldmine was hit when we ventured to Target and found each season of Arrested Development on sale for an awesome $17.99.

A highlight of the week so far has been getting to know Michael, who works with Urban and the Joe Rush program, specifically. A soon-to-be 64 year old who doesn't act near that age, we've been blessed to hear many life stories of his, some funny, some difficult to listen to, but all inspirational. If grace was ever evident in anyone's life, it's Michael's. On Thursday, we went with him to a home to paint a shed. DJ Mary Bendall led us in a strengths workshop in the afternoon, then we took in a Baron's game that night. Off this weekend, our first group comes in Monday to begin work.

There have been a lot of things I've tried to process so far. Something prompted me to ponder the question of why I'm here the other day. Maybe it was the draw of a different experience from Liberia and West Virginia (West End is certainly different). I'm probably thinking that running the gamut of possible ministry scenarios will help me figure out what I want to do with my life. Maybe it's the opportunity to work in Birmingham and be closer to home after last summer. Maybe I want to see if I'm really as open and accepting as I claim to be.

What it comes down to, I think, is putting myself in a position in which I can find grace. Even as I write that, it sounds a bit strange. I believe, however, that as we move forward in sanctification, God allows and calls us to seek out the grace that He has for us. Though we believe in an active God that works in our life to bring us to places where we can experience grace, He also calls us to do our part in working out our own salvation. Whether it's Liberia, Logan County, the Mississippi Delta, West End or One-freaking-onta, grace is alive. Love is there. The Kingdom sneaks around and reveals itself in those people and places you don't expect. As Mother Teresa said, "Yesterday is gone; tomorrow has yet to come; all we have is today. Let us begin."

amen.

...and so it begins...

What's up.

If I update this thing as much as I hope, I'll give you a dollar.

-jc