a new school mascot

I really think the water buffalo should be higher on the list of possible intimidating school mascots. I didn't used to think so, but after this video, I am definitely a fan of that big beast. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM

my new mentors

Here's a short list of my current teachers (they probably don't know it though):

• Eugene Peterson: prolific author, theologian, teacher, pastor...he wrote a book called Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places that beautifully reconnected me to some of Christianity's strongest themes: sabbath and rest, communion, community, and calling. I'm reading the next book in that series: Eat this Book. So far it delivers what it promises.

• John Muir: environmentalist, scientist, the original backpacker, and writer. I recently started reading a compilation of his writings. You know somebody loves the earth when a whole chapter is devoted to the Douglas Squirrel (and it's not boring!). Thanks to his (and Theodore Roosevelt's) idea of a national park system, I've seen and hiked in some of the most beautiful spots in America.

• My sister's family: Living with this family of 7 (2 parents plus 5 kids!) is a constant and true framework on how to live a life of authentic love in the common daily ordinary activities.

shopping trip

Last Christmas, my sister bought shopping carts (buggies, as they say in McDowell County) for her kids. They push them around the basement, collecting odd toys, stray dolls, playdough creations, and other sundry non-food related items. But recently, we decided to give the carts a real run for their money at a grocery store. We loaded all 4 kids and buggies into the suburban and let them lose down the aisles of Bueche's. You can imagine the smiles and stares of fellow shoppers. It was a bit chaotic, but fun (as is usually the case with these kids). And as an added bonus, we managed to make it through the checkout with everything we needed (and only 4 extra packs of gum.) 4 cheers for kids shop fest 2010!

1 minute until Florida

Living with my sister and brother-in-law is kinda a 'win-win.' They get help with their children any time they need, and I get a free trip to Florida with them! (There are other perks for me too, like being with my family, getting to invest time and energy in my nieces and nephew, and enjoying this new season of rest and relationships.) But Florida is nice too. :)

We've been counting down the days until we leave and today was the day before departure. 1 day left. Except that the kids get somewhat lost in tracking time. Anything in the past is 'yesterday.' As in "Merilee, remember when you forgot to to pack my underwear for the YMCA yesterday?" "That was a month ago, but yeah, I remember." :)

Anyway, one of the little girls reminded us today that we have 1 minute until Florida. She meant 1 day. I love her. Florida, here we come!

March Madness

After not having a T.V. for the five years I lived in West Virginia, I am now loving watching it again. But not just anything. March Madness, in particular. It brings such joy to my heart. I do love basketball. I grew up on the NBA, but while at IWU switched over to watching college ball.

And I love it that my bracket always ends up at the bottom of Gail's bracket group. People who choose Cornell (just because Andy from 'The Office' went to Cornell) end up beating me. Ahhh. I love it...

Church

As I try to find a place, a people, a community of worship, I thought I'd share a few things I've noticed...

• Most churches, in mid-Michigan anyway, are excited to have visitors (which also means that it might not be the norm)
• People ages 20-35 do not go to church. Unless they have kids. Then they're definitely there. But unmarried adults or young married adults without kids are not a high attending group. (Maybe that's why they were so excited to have me...)
• I need to give up on Sunday school. I kept hoping I would find a class, but I think Sunday school classes for people like me were abandoned when people like me also stopped going to church. Small groups during the week, however, are a very real possibility.
• In visiting 5 area churches, I have always been greeted. But I think what's been even more powerful were the times when people just came up to me and introduced themselves and started conversation. That's beautiful, I think. And it's happened at almost every single one of the churches I've visited.

One thing that really surprises me is how at home I feel in the body of Christ in any church here. I mean, they're still strangers, but brother and sister strangers at that. It's been a really good, meaningful adventure in finding a local church.

And while I still haven't found a brick and mortar building that will be my particular church home for ever more, I am beginning to find and know a people to whom I can belong to. A community. A worshipping throng. A few sisters and brothers. Some sacred place and people. Or however one might describe Church.

elbow room

Since moving to Michigan, I've been on the look-out for a part-time job. Well, not at first. (I was having too much fun to work!) But now that I'm settled, I wanted something to do where I could learn a new skill, earn some cash, and still have time to help my sister at home. So a friend of my family helped me get a part-time job at a local coffee shop, the Elbow Room.

I never thought I'd work at a coffee shop, but I always thought my friends would for some reason. Huh. But now I'm making drinks, chatting up the regulars, wiping tables, and enjoying this gift of a job. It really is amazing.