summer lovin...

Now that got your attention with that title, or I got you singing the hit from "Grease."

I recently broke my arm rollerblading. I was listening to one of my favorite Lauryn Hill songs on a beautiful summer afternoon and three miles into my workout I was on the ground. I keep replaying the accident in my head and cannot piece it all together. I can say that I am grateful to God for the Andersons. They were driving along, also enjoying the beautiful day and witnessed the accident. This beautiful couple, whom I had never met brought me to the ER. The doctor on call at the U of M was a hand surgeon which is pretty fortunate! I ended up getting a compound fracture, and needing surgery/hospitalization.

Prior to this accident life was going "as normal." I had recently gotten back from a vacation to Seattle. I went with my good friend Laura to spend time with a mutual friend, Brea. At work we had just finished our summer "hockey in the hood camp" with 18 new DinoMights!




This situation has been entirely humbling. I would say I can be pretty stubborn and independent. I have had to rely on others for some of the most basic things we take for granted. I am becoming quite skilled with the left hand. I will keep you posted on my journey to ambidexterity.

Prior to this accident I had been really stewing in my brain, and having conversations with people about entitlement. This has made me think all the more about it. What are we entitled to here on earth? Especially if we consider ourselves followers of Jesus. He came to this earth demonstrating love, and desiring that we "love him with all our mind, heart, and strength, and love our neighbor as ourself." We make it complicated. We fail. We say it's hard... But what if each day that was what we actually did? What if we attempted to love well with our whole being.

In my group of friends from college 3 friends have had parents die at a young age. Four friends have had parents battle cancer. 1 friend lost her brother at the age of 21. I think of those instances and my heart grieves. I think of the many broken, unjust things of this world and have trouble making sense of it all. The beatitudes were written as a promise of God's kingdom to everyone, regardless of status, circumstances, or condition. God comes alongside people and somehow displays his mercy, justice, and comfort.

I am only in a cast for 6 weeks. I will learn to ride the city bus (kelsey, maybe you can give me a tutorial...) I did an entire math assignment with my left hand today. 6 weeks is just a teeny, tiny fragment of my entire life.

We belong to each other. Yet, in American/Western culture we often say "I deserve this, or I want this for my family or friends." I admit that I think these things. Meaningful, life giving experiences are something everyone desires and needs. Yet, their is too often an imbalance. Some kids get too much attention. Some kids are neglected and crying out for love. Some families go on summer vacations, some parents wonder where their next meal will come from.

What would happen if we recognized how much we need each other? What if we recognized people's gifts and skills and used them in beautiful ways?

My friends are not ultimately mine, neither is my community, nor my church, or my family. We are all on this earth passing through. We do belong to each other, but more importantly we belong to God. How are we going to love well on this earth each day? Even when its hard, even when things don't make sense, even when we feel like we failed the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time? I can tell you personally that it will continue to be hard to do, but that is our first and greatest commandment we have been given... TO LOVE.

I am from

For the past two years while in grad school I have worked part-time @ DinoMights. I also occasionally subbed in the Minneapolis school district. Each day subbing was an adventure. I learned a lot about how I would like my classroom to be someday.

At one of my favorite schools the 5th graders were writing "I am from" poems as part of an ancestry unit. The assignment was really powerful for many of the students. The classroom was diverse socioeconomically and culturally. Some students in the class were adopted, some were recent immigrants to the U.S. Through this unit they really began to appreciate who they are and what has shaped them.

I decided to write my own "I am from" poem.

I am from books upon books lining the shelves in the living room
From golden retrievers and long walks around the neighborhood

I am from 1002 Westview Drive, the house where the road begins to curve
I am from waking up to public radio and my Dad grinding coffee
I am from the block where neighbors became like siblings

I’m from malt-o-meal and sports
And a green vegetable at every meal
From Ken, Carol, Dan, and Dave
I’m from favorite meals on birthdays and trips up north
And from canoeing until the sun sets

I’m from “never, never, give up”
And “May the Lord bless you and keep you, may his face shine upon you, and give you peace”
I’m from a first generation high school graduate
I’m from Ireland, Germany, Poland, England, France, and I am Cherokee.
From a Dad who read with me every summer
Instilling the value of always learning
And a Mom who taught me to swim and to love deeply

I am from family that insists on living with passion and intention.
I am from my ancestors who have gone before me.
I am from stories upon stories and so many idiosyncrasies.

Dino girls weekend.

Amy ( one of the girls coaches ) & I took a group of 8 DinoMights to the cabin this weekend for a retreat. We had 4 sets of sisters! It was such a wonderful weekend. we went to a waterfall, played lots of apples to apples, and came away with some fun stories.

day by day.

Rich Mullins once said " each day we must find opportunities to be reborn."

Each day the spectrum of joy and pain is present in our lives.

Something so incredibly beautiful happened this week to a family I know. They moved up here from Chicago in the fall with the intent of building a new life for themselves. They have been living in a homeless shelter for the past 7 months. One of my friends has been advocating for them for quite awhile, and has built an amazing relationship with them. Just yesterday, they got to move into a home! A mom, and her 5 children now have a place to call home with a yard to play in and a kitchen to make meals...

Love > Fear

In the past week I have been asked the question "do you ever feel afraid?" more than usual. The question is usually asked by a friend or family member who means well, but doesn't completely understand where I live.

People often fear what they do not know. They make assumptions about what they think they know.. Our news channels are often slanted, and depict the city as a crime ridden place where no sane person would raise a family. That is absolutely bogus.

I cannot change people.. I did not come to the city to do so.. If that were my intent, I should have left on the first day.

I can acknowledge daily that where I live is a beautiful place... My liberation is bound up with those around me. We all have a story, we all belong to each other.

Yes, it isn't always clean. Yes, I do hear gunshots on occasion. Yes, my neighbor did get arrested for dealing drugs... I am not blind to these things.

Yet, the richness of life that surrounds me each day is something I see most often.. My neighborhood has an amazing marketplace where almost every culture is representing selling clothes, jewelry, food, and other goods. I live within walking distance of an amazing park where a community parade will take place this weekend. This park is a place where I can walk with the neighborhood kids, and they have the freedom to play in a wide open space. I live two blocks from one of the many Youth Farms that exist in the city. The youth farm provides jobs for kids, and shows kids where food comes from, how to grow it, and the impact they can have on the local food system. Many of the people who live on my street are friends, families that I've broken bread together with. Families that I've gone to birthday parties for, or have seen their first child enter the world. Our doorbell rings on a daily basis with kids wanting to hang out.. Many of these kids are now teenagers, and I've seen them grow up . I work 4 blocks from home, and am within biking distance of so many places. Their are several bus lines close to my house that can connect to anywhere in Minneapolis. I could write an endless list of reasons I love where I live...

At first when people were making comments like "aren't you afraid," or "why would you choose to live there," I felt like I needed to defend myself, defend my neighbors, and set people straight. Typically as this question was presented, I ended up having some amazing conversations... It was strange getting so many comments in the past week, when I have lived here for 5 years.

I am grateful to live in such an incredible place. It's not always comfortable. Our lives inevitably collide. Yet, it is a place where beauty can be found in the most remarkable ways.

St. Martin's table.

Last Wednesday I volunteered as a waitress at St. Martin's table in Minneapolis.
This was honestly one of the most life giving experiences I have had in months.
The overall presence of this oasis in the city reminded me so much of my time at the Schloss retreat center when I studied abroad in college. People from all life stations coming together over a shared meal.


St. Martin's Table serves vegetarian meals with and emphasis on locally grown and organic food.

All of the tips at St. Martin's go towards program organizations working towards alleviating hunger in the global community.

The restaurant/bookstore was named for five Martins who have been models of change, truth and resistance in the Christian faith:

-Martin Luther, the 16th century reformer who taught the theology of the cross
-Martin Luther King, Jr., for his leadership in nonviolent protest to end racism and injustice
-Martin of Tours, a fourth century Roman soldier turned pacifist
-Martin de Porres, a Spanish-Indian healer who served the poor of Peru in the 1600s
-Martin Niemoeller, a German pastor imprisoned for his nonviolent resistance to the Nazis during World War II

I am planning to volunteer at St. Martin's twice per month. I just happened to bike to this unassuming place last week with a friend for lunch. It is a place where justice is sought and individuals come together of all ages to share life.

The day that I volunteered I couldn't get the African-American spiritual out of my mind; Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees)
Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us drink wine together on our knees, (on our knees)
Let us drink wine together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.

Let us praise God together on our knees, (on our knees)
Let us praise God together on our knees. (on our knees)
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me

10

One of my favorite parts about being in this neighborhood is living life alongside kids while they grow up. I met some of the kids from our block while in college. Many of them were 8-10 years old, and are now in high school!




On Sunday Kathy turned 10. I remember meeting her when she was 8 and in the second grade. I began tutoring with DinoMights, and moved into an apartment 3 blocks from her house. I remember taking her to the park with two of her sisters and having them over to play UNO. Over time Kathy has become a consistent part of my life. She has an amazing support network that surrounds her. She is so bright, and full of irrepressible life. In the past few months some life circumstances have become more difficult for her. I have been in awe of her ability to grasp what is happening in a healthy way. She is the youngest of 5 and is the family organizer. All of her siblings have been in the DinoMights program. As the youngest she has had to learn a great deal of patience. Kathy has watched each of her siblings go to camp, or have different experiences and she continually has had to wait until she is "old enough." This summer she finally got to go to an overnight camp that all of her sisters and her one brother have been to. She loved it so much...




I have confidence that I will see her graduate from college in 10-11 years and become some type of event planner. Happy Birthday Kathy! I wish you well. I am beyond grateful you are in my life...