what if?
I saw this add today in the May 4 issue of Newsweek. What a great question.
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April 29, 2009
April 28, 2009
doing magic
Came across this article this morning about HOMEpdx, a street church in Portland.
I love this, “We do magic tricks by making the invisible visible,” Ken often says. “When we pay attention to our friends without houses then they began to appear to themselves.”
April 14, 2009
I am
Found this here, I like it.
April 11, 2009
"Normal" 4/5/09
I was making dinner and I heard someone outside at the gate. I turned around and saw Martin waving. Apparently Kim had asked him to deliver a card to us. I was surprised. It was a thank you card. Kim was thanking us for being “real people” as well as updating us on her life and finding out what they can bring for breakfast this upcoming Sunday. She wrote, “Ha ha, remember we are on a tight budget!” She asked us if we could bring our cell phone so they could call their loved ones. She wrote in her card, “Thanks for believing in us! It really helps.” I don’t know what to write to express the feeling I felt when I received this card and an invitation to breakfast.
Sunday went well. We drove down to the Shores and saw Julius about to cross the street to do some signing. We pulled the car right up next to him and asked if he was coming to the breakfast. He looked at us and said, “I’m getting in” and proceeded to climb in the car with us. The previous Sunday he was not able to come and later that evening before going to bed Chase asked me why Julius was not at the grass (breakfast with us at the park). So this Sunday when Julius got into the car to go have breakfast with us Chase was just shouting with joy. Martin and Kim were already waiting for us. So what did we forget this week? We forgot Martin’s cranberry juice and a bowl to scramble the eggs in so Jared went home to get them. While we were waiting for Jared to return we just decided to prepare the eggs two at a time. It was fun to watch Kim make eggs for Martin, Jared, and herself. She was a natural. I wondered how she felt. It must make her feel so normal. Did I mention how Kim ran up to me and showed me her nails? She had her nails done, her hair down, and was wearing long pants. She usually ties her hair in a ponytail and wears shorts. She looked lovely. I felt so normal hanging out with them, just like hanging out with any other friends. After breakfast, Martin and Kim were calling their family. Chase just sat by them enjoying their company. I wished I had my camera to capture that moment. By the end of the breakfast, Kim came and asked if we could all pray together. We held hands and Kim prayed for us. She thanked God for us for treating them normal, for the smiles on our faces, and simply for believing in them. She knows God has an angel on their shoulder watching over them. Martin held on to the left over cranberry juice and told me how it helps to clean his liver. I saw the tears in the corner of his eyes. I think of this scripture in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
In verse 13 it says: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
I wonder why love is the most important of all.
I cannot tell you how loving them has helped me to learn so much about God and seeing how love is changing them in just the last few weeks. I feel honored and proud to have friends like them. I can only thank God for changing my heart and teaching me to love.
Have a great Easter Sunday,
Shelly