Short Summaries of Simple things

(and maybe a few that are not so simple)

January Novelties:
I learned how to take care of chickens, pigeons, and rabbits
I collected eggs
I learned that baby seals are fluffy
I tried to use a convection oven, and then I learned how to re-set a breaker box

Struggles:
I have been feeling a bit guilty about slowing down
I have struggled to find a job
I get lost a lot and my GPS charger is missing

Resolutions:
I determined to focus more on others rather than myself, especially not to complain
I determined to be more reliable - to get a job
I determined to find a church where I can serve locally

Prayers:
I am praying that I would have faith and hope for the future - to believe in big things
I am praying that God would ignite my passion regardless of my circumstances
I am praying for someone to go with because it is not good to do ministry alone

Short story:
I was studying with my good friend, Stephanie, just the other day in a Subway, south of town.  It was kind of late, and there weren't many people in the restaurant.  Three people came inside to hang out with one of the workers, and they were talking and talking.  I, in language analyst mode, sat studying their accents.  I was just about to pull out a piece of paper to begin to take notes on the phonological patterns of one of the girl's speech, when she said something that stopped me in my tracks. 

"His mother has been helpful, and he's not like he wants me to get the abortion, but he doesn't want me to keep the baby..."

And she was no longer a sociolinguistic anomaly; she was a person.  I was struck with the contrast between us.  There we were in the same restaurant, at the same time, about the same age, each with a friend we felt we could confide in.  And I sat with my laptop, typing up an essay for my graduate school; she sat contemplating what she was going to do about a complicated pregnancy and a non-supportive boyfriend.  And there was nothing I could do but pray.  I thought about saying something, but everything sounded patronizing.  So I just prayed. 

It was a good reminder not to take for granted what I've been given, and a reminder that there is ministry - hard ministry - right where I am.  Sometimes that becomes easy to forget.  The school becomes life, and in a place where teachers begin classes with prayer, it is easy to forget that there are people without a knowledge of Christ in the world at all. 

Conclusions:
As a part of my focus on others, I would appreciate prayer requests from you.  I enjoy praying for others, so send me a facebook message or an email, or call me up, and I will spend some time in prayer for you. 

May God bless your new year!