Pumpkins in the Hood

Sunday we had an “Extreme Pumpkin Carving Contest” here in Glenwood. It was good clean fun :) It is so funny how many of us have NEVER carved a pumpkin before (myself included)! Everyone did a great job and won one of the many prizes!

Sorry no time to write a lot… just pictures for now. :)

"You’re a Christian?"

Here is the scene in which this question was asked…

My friend Dayna and I are out at Joann’s Fabric Store with five girls from the neighborhood picking out material to add a little “bling” to our dance dresses for the Christmas Banquet this December.

For some of the girls it was their first time going to a fabric store. We had a good time walking around and looking at all the different patterns and textures, and giving Dayna “the look” as she kept picking tacky trim on purpose.  We all got a good laugh as one fabric was suggested and everyone else thought it was rather ugly. Looking at the sale tag it said “Lame’ ” pronounced - (La-May). But we all “saw L-A-M-E! “Why do they sell “LAME” fabric anyways?”

As we are waiting in line Dayna is teasing me about something. I give her “the look” and laugh while saying, “You had better not.” Dayna replies with “I wouldn’t, that would not be very Christian of me.” Behind us we hear a question that confuses me. One the girls pipes up and says, “You guys are Christians?”

Dayna and I look at each other a little unsure. “Yes, we are Christians… we pick you up for church on Sundays, talk about Jesus, have Bible studies at camp…” Us still looking confused and a sinking feeling in my heart as I question myself, and wonder how this dear one could not know that we were Christians after years of being with us.

The girl smiles “Oh, yea ok” but you’re not “Christians” as she makes quotation makers in the air. “Your… (pause and thinks)… Your ‘FUN Christians!’ ” “I take that as a glorious complement.” I replied, as she smiled again and walked off satisfied that she had re-categorized us.

Last night as I was thinking about her question and then her response, I could do nothing but thank Jesus; thankful that she saw the love of Christ. That for a short moment we were able to put a different definition of a follower of Jesus then the judgmental and legalistic definition that she has inside her young mind.

May we be known not as “cultural Christians” but as followers of the living God. Let us confuse people by our love for one another so that they may see us and glorify our Father in Heaven. Let it me as Jesus said. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, by your love for one another.”

A Celebration Of Freedom

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

-Galatians 5:1

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

-Psalm 139:14

This past Thursday we were invited to attend Hannah’s Haven Annual Banquet. It was an honor to attend and such a blessing to all of us. The girls really love hanging out with the women at Hannah’s Haven and hearing their stories of restoration. There was an evident look of hope on their faces as they watched the women dance and share their testimonies.

God was ever so present. More than one young girl’s heart was softened as the Lord spoke to her. There is so much bondage, and hurt, and pain. But our God came to set us FREE. I am standing on that and believing that this year will be a year of chains being broken. We saw some chain links fall last night and it was beautiful!

Here are some pictures of our night of celebration!

A Passionate Garble

Talking but not sure if anyone is hearing what I am trying so hard to say. Actions speak louder than words, but what actions can I add to my words so that they are heard? Feeling like I am caught in a sound proof bubble and all that is heard, even when you listen carefully, is a passionate garble. I have said things that were taken totally different then how I meant them. I have thought I have said things only to be told that I haven’t been clear. Sometimes I wonder if I am communicating at all. I’m feeling a little lost.

I have had a few people remind me that I have not written lately. But in all honesty, if I had written these past few weeks it would have ended up looking like the painting above; with many different colors all thrown at one target making a beautiful and glorious mess, but not making much sense.

I have had a heavy heart and I have tried to rid myself of it. I have listened to well meaning people suggesting to me that I should walk away from the hurting, that I should step down from my job that is “TO BIG” for me; that I have done my share and it alright to leave now.

I have tried to give it to God and walk away in my heart. All the while knowing that what I gave Him He had asked me to hold. He knows it is heavy, and He sees my doubt, my lack of assurance, and my weakness. He is right here and doesn’t let me fall, leading me down the path to deeper healing myself as I walk along side of the hurting.

In the midst of all of the hurting there is joy and laughter. This is something that I have struggled with. Growing up I didn’t see that you could be sad and at the same time laugh or just want to do something fun. It doesn’t mean that you are not hurting or that you are denying what is going on. In fact it is healthy and God even took the time to make sure that He wrote it nice and clear for us simple minded humans. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22)

Here are a few funny things that some kids have said recently…

“Ms. Suzanne you gave me a pretty girl as my tutor b/c you knew I wouldn’t be mean or act up with her.” – Middle School Boy

“Did someone really see God there on the corner?” (Underneath a “God Lives” Sign)

“’His face turned red? Ms. Suzanne this sentence doesn’t make sense!”–1st Grader
“It does if you are white, my face gets red when I am embarrassed or hot”-Me
“Oh I see now…Laughing” – 1st Grader

“Ms. Suzanne you stole my Lady” – Student referring to her tutor being wrongly reassigned – Middle School Student

“Man, I’ve got to stop telling white people they are fat. They don’t take it as a complement like I would…I want to be fat I am SKINNY!” – Middle School Girl

“What can I do to earn a hamster? Never mind I want a pony! How many Bible verses would that take?” – Middle School Girl