learning about letters {again}

So, I've been reading a blog called Today's Letters recently,  by a couple named Tim and Emily Loerke.  And as I've read, I've found the Loerke's to be a source of great inspiration.  Their blog is based off the idea that letters can change lives [I totally agree!], and so the blog is letters that Emily and Tim write to each other, to friends, and even to inanimate objects [frequently tacos... which are always accompanied by scrumptious photos].  One of the things that both Emily and Tim write about sometimes is how important it is to ask for forgiveness.  I love them for this!  It's not often that people have the courage to admit that they don't have all of their ducks in a row.  Admitting imperfection is BRAVE [Loerke's, if you ever read this- I think you're one brave duo!].  But finding ways to right our wrongs, apologize for hurt feelings, and forgive gracefully is equally as noble as recognizing our humanity. These are just some of the life nuggets I've gleaned from reading the daily and weekly musings of Emily  and Tim Loerke; along with a favorite new nickname for things [Emily, I hope you don't mind if I borrow "little"], a renewed love for letter writing [I used to write letters faithfully on my bi-weekly late night shift in the RA office], and a childlike joy for hiding them around my house.  Here's to Today's Letters for reminding me that words of encouragement are always readily welcomed by anyone, that I certainly don't offer up kind words often enough, and for giving me the inspiration to write my own!

thoughts on street corner evangelism.

Last night I attended AthFest with a friend of mine.  AthFest is a local music festival held here in Athens.  It's wonderful!  We walked around downtown where the streets were blocked off and browsed around the rows of vendors selling anything from handmade hair bows to handmade pottery.  AthFest also had some very special visitors-- some street corner evangelists.  The signs they held towered high over the crowd and the booming voice of rotating men on microphones echoes through the small crowd that gathered around them.  As I watched different people interacting with the evangelists (some even entering nearby restaurants to acquire cardboard to make signs of their own), I felt so many mixed emotions.  As a Christian, I understood what the evangelists were saying.  I knew the references, I knew the language.  The people surrounding the evangelists did not.  And it got me thinking about perspective.

From my perspective, I know that these folks were doing what they felt called to do: to share the gospel.  But what about how they were perceived by the crowd?  I tried to put myself in the mindset of those around me-- those who felt directly threatened by the evangelists, their signs, and their microphones.  I realized how hurtful and judgmental  the evangelists sounded... and my heart ached for everyone around me.  I looked directly at the evangelists and realized that this is how the world sees me, though they do not know me.  Because some Christians don't take the time to know the people they accuse of blasphemy, adultery, and sin.  When we get to know one another, we begin to care for one another... and we begin to open our hearts to each other.  It's only then that we have the opportunity to share the incredible, deep, never-ending love that Jesus has for each of us.

The music at AthFest was awesome, I met so many new friends, and made some deep realizations about what it means to partner with God and be in ministry.  I realized that my need to judge others should decrease as my understanding of Jesus' love deepens.  I hope one day I'll be brave enough to reach out to my brothers holding the signs on the street corners and gain insight into their perspective as well.  Until then, my aim is to live alongside all of the people their sign claimed Jesus hated, and restore in them an understanding in divine, unconditional love.

stamps & envelopes

Kissed all these littles goodbye today and dropped them in the mail.  Sayonara!

Funny that happened on their journey to the Post: the woman at the post office did look at me strangely when I told her I needed 100 stamps.  She asked me if I was getting married & wanted rose stamps.  I declined, and told her I needed them for support letters.  Hope you like my selections!

A friend recently tweeted this, and I felt it needed sharing.  What a loving God we have-- who always shows up in the big, expansive moments and in the very smallest of details!

things to smile about

Well, it's been a whole month since I last visited this place-- the blogsphere, that is.  In the past 30 days, I turned 23, began and completed a Maymester class, attended 3 weddings, attempted to get a tan, saw The Avengers (twice), and picnic-ed by a river.  In the next few days, I'll be saying sayonara to my support letters as they hit the mailbox and make their way across the state and country.  This month has reminded me that I am blessed beyond belief.  Blessed to be alive, blessed to have the means to attain an education, blessed to bear witness to incredible people's lives, blessed that I don't easily burn and am quick to stand in awe of incredible artists, and am so blessed to have quiet places to be grateful for.  Ultimately, I am so exceedingly blessed to know people with giving hearts and willing hands to lift me up in prayer and support me however they can.  And those things, are certainly things to smile about!