Changed

We sang this song in church this morning, and the following words arose with my heart.

I have been blessed - now I want to be a blessing

I have been loved - now I want to bring love

I've been invited - I want to share the invitation

I have been changed - to bring change, to bring change.

While at my friend's house this evening we came across this youtube video based on this song. Enjoy, and allow the words to sink in.

How to Build Community.

During my Mission Year, I read a postcard I bought titled how to build community for a fundraiser. Afterwards, a friend of mine asked me if I would make him a collage based on this reading. I finished it earlier this week, and officially have my art hanging up in another person's home! Selling an art piece has been on my bucket list, and it felt great to cross it off! Below is a photo:

Along the edge of the canvas I wrote the different ways we can build community where we are at. They are: *Turn off your T.V. *Leave your house * Know your neighbors * Look up when you are walking *Greet people *Sit on your stoop *Plant flowers *Use your library *Play together *Buy from local merchants *Share what you have *Help a lost dog *Take children to the park *Garden together *Support neighborhood schools *Fix it, even if you didn't break it *Have Potlucks *Honor elders *Pick up litter *Read stories aloud *Dance in the Street *Talk to the Mail Carrier *Listen to the birds *Put up a swing *Help carry something heavy *Barter for your goods *Start a tradition *Ask a question *Hire young people for odd jobs *Organize a block party *Bake extra and share it *Ask for help when you need it *Open your shades *Sing together *Share your skills *Take back the night *Turn up the music *Turn down the music *Listen before you react to anger *Mediate a conflict *Seek to understand *Learn from new and uncomfortable angles *Know that no one is silent, though many are not heard. Work to change this.

I believe these ideas speak a lot of truth to the ways we can build community around us. While living in Atlanta, I have baked extra and shared it, danced in the street, learned from new and uncomfortable angles, and gardened with neighbors to name a few. Join with me, and find a way to build community with those who surround you. Living in community is a beautiful way to experience life.

A BEGINNING.

"AAHHH!!!"

"What am I doing?!?"

"I am crazy, absolutely crazy"

"God, you need to show up, because I took a giant leap of trust by getting on this plane!"

Welcome to the moment of panic I experienced as my friends Katie and Curtis picked me up from the airport on Thursday, September 1. This is an important date. It marks the day I moved back to Atlanta, GA to start a new beginning in my life. I have no job, and no house to call my own (but I am deeply grateful for Pastor Tim and Andrea who are allowing me to live with them until our house is ready to move into).

Although many aspects of my life are up in the air, I call this place home. As cheesy as it may sound, this is where my heart is. I love, and am richly blessed by my neighborhood, church family, and friends. People give generously with sincere hearts. I receive this as Pastor Tim and Andrea welcome me into their family. I have a spot around the dinner table and a comfortable bedroom, and they expect nothing in return. Laura, a dear friend of mine gives me her car to use while she is out of town. This is God providing for me. My needs are met, and I am grateful.

And I've been able to give my time in return, which I love to do (and I have a lot of it while I job search). I have:

• Visited Ms. Barbara at her hospice care. To sit with her was hard for me emotionally, but I was able to love her, and share life with her yet again.
• Squealed with delight as I saw Ameria. Stood and talked with Charles by his gate. Two meaningful relationships I built last year. It's so good to spend time with them again!
• Tutored at S.A.Y. Yes! It has been great to be with the kids again. But I was quickly reminded of my frustrations with the education system as I worked with a 1st grader who didn't know his letters.
• I got to drive Walter and Michael back to Tennessee. It was a beautiful and fun drive with two sweet boys. (Plus I saw the Great Smoky Mountains for the first time!)

Ah, sweet life. You meet me here. Here is to a new beginning full of unknowns. An adventure awaits, a beautiful, full, and scary adventure. One thing I know, I can't do this on my own. So I thank God for leading and guiding me through the motions of life, and for calling back to me when I stray.