"It's all a part of me...and that's who I am"

This week was a short work week, as we are leaving tomorrow for the national Young Adult Volunteer Orientation in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. We will have the chance to meet all the other YAV's from across the country. I'm looking forward to that and to hearing about everyone else's experiences these past few weeks.

Work has been good these two days. Yesterday there was a puppy that wandered into the Campus for Human Development's parking lot, and we cleaned it all up and fed it and such. I am a true-blue animal lover (I sometimes joke that I get along better with animals than people), and caring for this puppy was a nice break was everything else at work. Plus it was a fun way to bond with several other staff workers.

Last night Katie and I had the make-up vocational discernment session we were supposed to have on Friday but something had come up. We spent last night going over the results of the personality tests- both Myers Briggs and one called the Strong Inventory Test. Although I don't think a test can be completely accurate, I think they are helpful and honestly, really interesting. Before we looked at the results, Janet Salyer, who is leading us through vocational discernment this year, had us plot where we thought we would be on the spectrum of Extroverted vs. Introverted, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving. The test says that my personality type is INFJ. I know I'm an introvert (and thus must have significant amounts of time alone to recharge) so I wasn't surprised there and based on Janet's introduction, I figured I was a J instead of a P.

When Janet read the description, I was a bit disappointed. It sounded somewhat like me but not completely. Each letter had a strength level and I was slight for both the sensing/Intuition category and the thinking/feeling so I could swing either way. It really bothered me that I didn't fit into one category (though Janet assured me it happens a lot). So I decided to go home and read more about a few different types I might be. I also saw myself in ISFJ, INFP and even INTP. But as I read more and more about INFJ, I thought it actually was the most appropriate one. Even the mere fact that I wanted closure in this endeavor and I was willing to pursue it until I had some sort of resolution shows that maybe I really am an INFJ.

Like I said before, I think those kind of personality texts are really interesting. Apparently, less than 1% of the population is INFJ which sort of explains why I have felt like a misfit among groups and especially around extroverts much of my life. However, both Gandhi and Jesus (apparently) were INFJ's so that's pretty sweet. Here's a link if you'd like to learn more about the INFJ type:

http://www.murraystate.edu/secsv/fye/INFJ.htm



I really think taking these Personality tests have also been helpful for Katie (my roommate) and I's relationship. Learning more about her personality type has helped me understand why she is the way she is, and I think it has helped her how I live better. For example, I like to spend time reading, writing, analyzing things in my head, journaling and other solitary activities (I guess I have introvert written all over me). It seems like each of our jobs go against who we are naturally too, so this has amplified our tendencies when we are not at work. Being around around more than a hundred people and trying to maintain such a hectic pace really drains me emotionally and physically so when I've come home from work these past two week, I usually just want to be alone so I can re-charge. I think that to Katie (and it probably would to many people) this comes off as anti-social but it's actually just because I'm an introvert. Katie struggles at her agency because she just sits at a desk and because it's so quiet and oftentimes, there is not enough to do (I feel like I have the opposite problem at my work). So when she comes home, she really needs noise and lots of social interaction because she's definitely an extrovert.

It was really helpful to understand each others needs better through this and we're going to try to be more mindful of this with one another in living together. You know, it's interesting that God has called us both to agencies that aren't naturally our cup of tea. That's probably good and I know for me, at least, it has been humbling because it's especially hard for me. It also reminds me of 2nd Corinthians 12:9

My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Please pray that I could learn to 'boast' in my weakness (especially in working at an agency that isn't a perfect fit for my personality and which really drains me). Please also pray for communication between Katie and I and that we could really learn how to support and edify one another (and to eliminate all competition from our relationship).
Please pray for safe travel to and fro the YAV retreat and that it would be encouraging and fun for all of us- regardless of our personality type. :)

Oh, and the title of this post is my attempt to create a witty title. It's actually a snippet from a Jessica Andrew's song.

Parable of the Vineyard workers

Friday was a nice day off for vocational discernment and reflection and such. Yesterday we had a Teen Forum for the Campus for Human Development all day. It was an event that aimed to help raise awareness about poverty and homelessness among teens. Part of the event was the poverty simulation game we played on my 2nd day of work. This time, I was on the other side of the table (literally). I was running a station- the Fast Fast restaurant- and it was much easier to succeed having a property card. After the simulation game, we came together for discussion. We created a list of words- based on our experiences from the game- to describe the cycle of poverty: chaotic, confusing, frustrating, overwhelming, corrupt(people sometimes stole from the bank or businesses ripped them off because they could), unjust, etc.

I noticed that we had a lot more freedom as a business owner. First of all, I had a backup supply of money to our own personal pouch. If I was running low, I could just use resources from our business. Second, I could get away with more. For instance, when people came to our station they would pay us one "money card" and in turn we would give them one "health card". There were several instances when we (the other girl running the station and I) were low on health cards so we made up excuses when people came to buy from us (such as "we're doing maintenance today, come back tomorrow" ) In the game, If you're a citizen and you're so low on resources that you can't make a transaction, you get jailed. But the police didn't monitor the businesses as much. So we got away with a lot more :) I'm not sure if that's quite as true in the "real world" but it was an interesting observation.

Father Strobel (the priest who created the campus) spoke at the forum, and he mentioned something that reminded me of Thursday's post. He said, "If you want peace, work for justice." So I wonder, what does work mean in this sense? and HOW do we work for justice?

Today Katie and I sang in church for the first time and it was fun, although I admit that I was sort of wingin' it. But it turned out fine. The sermon today was based on the parable of the Vineyard workers (Matt. 20:1-6) in which a landowner hires workers for his vineyard at different increments in the day but then he doesn't pay them according to how long they worked (each worker receives the standard pay). The minister, Jim Kitchens, talked about how this story doesn't mesh with our understanding of good economics or fairness nor with our competitive nature. He concludes that God's Kingdom gives us a glimpse of a different kind of economy than we are used to.

Many of you have probably heard, but there has been a gas shortage in central Tennessee because of the recent hurricanes. Needless to say, it has created quite a panic in Nashville! Most gas stations are out of unleaded gas and those that do still have gas have mile-long lines. The city has been getting more gas in the last several days but it keeps running out because everyone is trying to grab it while they can (our competitive culture). Someone mentioned today that it wouldn't be so bad right now if people weren't hoarding it. I'm not sure if that's quite accurate but I think he had a good point. We're so concerned with our own future and well-being that we don't think about how it will affect others.

I was thinking about this other kind of Kingdom where people don't hoard but instead trust God's provisions. This made me think of Phillipians 6:4,

"Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

I began thinking about how it's all linked together. This different kind of economy, as suggested in the parable, is predicated on trusting that God will provide. I wonder how different all of our lives would be if we really followed that advice. The gas crisis may not have been such a crisis had we been not quite so anxious and competitive.

Something to think about..I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please pray for my roommate and I's relationship. We're still learning how to live with one another and honestly, we're struggling at times. Thanks! God bless.

Blair

Ranting about social problems vs. actually doing something about it

Once again, the last couple days have been pretty darn busy. Work has been normal- hectic and chaotic as usual. I'm really enjoying getting to know my co-workers and being a part of the great sense of community they have at the Campus. Tonight after work, a couple coworkers who are my age and I went out for a drink after work. It was fun to spend time together outside of work.

Last night Katie and I went to our first choir practice for the church. It felt really good to sing again and there was an interesting mix of songs- and people! I guess churches in general are pretty eclectic (or at least ought to be) and from my experience, I've found that the choir people tend to be the most so. But I appreciate that. :)

Today at the Campus we served lunch (we serve lunch for participants every Thursday). It was really hectic and it reminded me of my old waitressing days. But there was one conversation that has really stuck with me. A few guys from a local church brought the food and helped serve it. One of these men and I were in charge of doing drinks and so we had the opportunity to chat a bit. Upon explaining the Young Adult Volunteers program to him, he had some interesting insights. He was from what he described as the "peace generation" when they cared a lot about making the world better but they mostly just protested and said they believed in causes. He thought our generation was different- that we were actually changing the world for the better and not just proclaiming empty words. Sort of a 'what you say' vs. 'what you do' sort of concept.

This explanation really got me thinking. I hope he is right that my generation is much more pro-active and self-sacrificing. It was a compliment at the very least! But it's something I want to really search my own heart about. I think I'd probably ought to check myself every once in awhile. I hope that I don't just fight against poverty and injustice because I think I am correct(and esp. politically correct). But that I truly give my life in a Calvary-like love and sacrifice- that is centered on serving people and on obedience to, love, and trust in God alone. I pray that that is what this year could be about.

That's definitely one to pray about!

Well, that was a rather short post for having such a long title! :) I'll write again in a couple days.

Grace and Peace,

Blair

I need other people

I again apologize for the delay in writing in this blog. My computer's been dead for the last several days and it wasn't until today that it decided it would turn on again. I really am going to try to become more consistent with this (hopefully every 2 or 3 days).

I started my second week of work this week. Things have been less hectic this week, which has been nice. It has allowed me to look past feeling overwhelmed/stressed like I was last week and to actually do some reflecting. It might have been partly because I was starting a new job, and I wanted to seem competent and like I could do a good job, but I was really hard on myself last week trying to learn the ropes of my new job and adjust to it. I do have a tendency to be too hard on myself, but I started thinking about things that might have motivated how I felt. I've concluded that it's really hard for me to rely on others, and even, perhaps, that I deny that I need others.

I read a Campus Cru book called Kingdom of Couches by Will Walker a couple years ago. I was re-reading through it the other day and I found some stuff in there that reminded me of this past week:

"I just never thought that I would need them [people]...Yet on another level we want independence. We want to believe we can make it on our own, especially in spiritual life.

(pgs. 17-18)

"The truth is I rarely know what I’m doing with my life, much less do I have it all together, whatever that means. I’ve been pretending, keeping
others close enough to enjoy but distant enough to impress."

(pg. 19)

I thought the second was was especially insightful and convicting. I want to impress people so I feel I can't ask for help. I'm realizing how far off this is from authentic Christan community...A good but hard lesson for me!


There's also one more thing I wanted to write about. You know, it's funny. I've rarely understood resenting those who have more than you {materialistically} until now. Giving up a lot of luxuries I could afford before has definitely been hard for me. And all of a sudden, when I see people around enjoying all of these luxuries, it really annoys me, and-- to be honest- makes me a little jealous as I wish I could enjoy daily Starbucks coffee and other things splendid things. I found another great quote in that Kingdom of Couches book that relates to this:

"There are things that Christians should tell themselves in these
situations: God gives us what we can handle; It’s not about what
you have, it’s about stewardship of what you have; life is more than
material possessions; be content in all things. That’s neat. I still
wanted the house on the lake and the $140K." (pg. 24)

LOL. I really identified with this quote and I loved how honest the author was. Half the time I'm really not sure what God was thinking calling me to live like this-- I really don't feel like the right person most of the time.

Working at the campus, I see a lot of people battling with substance addictions. It's funny how we label some people as "addicts". I've been examining my own self lately and wondering if I am also an addict-- I am addicted to attention, spending more money than I really need to, and to sweets and candy. I am especially addicted to consuming! A dear friend of mine let me borrow a collection of Fenelon (otherwise known as Francois de Salignac de La Mothe Fenelon), a priest who was a spiritual adviser during 14th century France. Fenelon talks a lot about "dying to self" and "taking up one's Cross" -basically the same thing. I have found many of these letters comforting and encouraging. One thing I highlighted the other night was the phrase, " Every cross He gives is for our profit." I am really trying to keep that in mind right now, during moments when this new lifestyle and job feel agonizing.

Well, it's getting late so I'd better scoot. Please pray right now for community at our house, that my roommate and I could learn to communicate better with one another and love another more, and that I could continue to learn the ropes at my new job.
Thanks, and God Bless!

I'll write again in 2-3 days (really, seriously this time!) :)

Reality sets in

hey everyone,

I'm so sorry it's been several days since I've written. This week, especially with starting work, has been a very busy week.

Sunday was busy with church and lots of activities. Katie and I were commissioned at both church services, so it was an early morning, and then afterwards they had a reception for us. went to a Sunday school class between the services and decided that I would go to the Bible Study class for that. I tend to be both kind of shy around new people and introverted so I didn't say a lot during the class but more than anything I was trying to take everything in and observe the dynamics and what was being said. I felt bad that I didn't add more to the discussion but when I mentioned it to someone in the group at the reception, he said they had just come to feel comfortable around one another themselves- comfortable enough to share and speak their mind. I can't tell you how many people came up to us at church and said hi. It's probably because we were commissioned in church, but I have never felt so welcome and accepted at a church before. It's really encouraging to know that the Congregation is as happy we are here as we are to be a part of the congregation.


That evening we met up with past Young Adult Volunteers (many of them are still in the area) for dinner at Susan's house and that was fun. It was good to hear their stories about the year, their advice, and what they miss most.

Monday was our first day of work and Monday morning came very fast since I was supposed to be at work at 7:45. I was relieved that I found the place okay and didn't get lost. My first day (ok, actually my first week so far) was a whirlwind and things were so chaotic that there were moments that were so frantic I don't remember them. They put me at the desk with another staff worker to try to learn the ropes. I had no idea there was SOO much information to learn and try to remember-- and of coarse, the participants (the homeless people we serve) expect you to have answers and get mad when you don't. I've spent a lot of time referring people to staff who know the answer to their question. At noon, the Campus shuts down for lunch and things get pretty quiet, which is nice. It was some good peace and quiet amidst all the chaos. Part of the time in the morning I helped out in the "day room", which is the room full of toys and a TV and books/magazine/computers where people stay during the day. I got to play Monopoly with a couple participants, one of whom we'll call Hobbes. Hobbes and I played Connect 4 together afterwards and it was really a lot of fun. Hobbes is a quiet, African American man who is probably in his late 60's and he has a lot of facial hair. Because of his beard, he reminds me a bit of those Ewoks from Star Wars. An important principle in working at the Campus is to not show favorites because it affects the community and doesn't show equality. I think that's an important thing to remember, because I could easily let Hobbes become one of my favorites.

My last day of work for the week is tomorrow, and I am very glad. I have to admit that this week has been very overwhelming and exhausting. I've felt all sorts of emotions all at once. Although learning to be around homeless people has definitely been an experience, I think what has overwhelmed me more than anything this week is trying to retain and remember all of the information that has been thrown at me-- all of the rules/policies that I need to relay, all of the programs at the Campus (there's a lot!) and how they all function, all of the systems. Things at the Campus get really really hectic so that you barely have a moment to stop and breathe because you're constantly answering questions [or, in my case, trying to], going and retrieving something for someone, or looking up information. Each day is packed full with stuff, including daily staff meetings. To be honest, the chaos and what seems like disorganization has really been hard for me. I've been frustrated by the fact that the Campus didn't seem fully ready for me to work here. For instance, even though one requires keys to get to the bathroom and other important areas of the building, I still don't have keys and I have had to rely on other people or wait until someone comes to let me in to get from place to place. Second, it hasn't seemed like it's been that much of a priority to get me oriented. I guess this is just the nature of a place like that but it's made getting acclimated a bit hard.

I've struggled this week with feeling helpless and having to rely so much on other people when I feel like I ought to be contributing. I can be a bit of a control freak at times and it's been hard for me to not know what's going on half the time and to feel so out of resources/knowledge. But at the same time, maybe this is God's way of giving me a glimpse at poverty and how that is probably the norm for those stuck in poverty and homelessness. I also tend to be too hard on myself and it's been hard to give myself a break when I feel like I'm not being efficient or like today, when I didn't get sort through all the mail I had hoped to get through. I think it's really humbling for me, though, because it reminds me I can't do it on my own and that I don't have to have it all together, and it's Okay. It reminds me how dependent I am on others and God to get me through each day.

I came away from work today feeling so frustrated, and honestly, kind of hopeless. I felt like I was in no way cut out for this job[feeling like I couldn't deal with the stressful, hectic pace; feeling like I was too sensitive of a person; feeling like I'd never learn all the ins and outs] and was wondering what I(or God) was thinking. Please pray that I could trust that God really did call me here, that I could learn to stop being so hard on myself, that I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed with everything, that I could learn how to stay calm with the chaos and hectic pace, and that I could learn how to be a part of this community. Thanks!

Okay, well I'd better go. I'm going to try to head to bed within the next hour (by 9, ..... how lame is that?).


Grace and Peace,

Blair

Living Simply...or something of the sort

The last few days have been really nice. Yesterday we had our first vocational discernment with Janet, who seems like a lovely soul. She reminds me so much of Mrs. Pace, the wife of one of my favorite professors and someone I worked under for a brief time. We spent the session yesterday just filling out paperwork and we'll see the results in 2 weeks. We were also given the first book we're reading: "Let your Life Speak" by Parker Palmer. It's a book about vocation and it's been interesting so far.

We had lunch with the staff and we got to meet the rest of the staff we hadn't met, which was good. They are a fun bunch! Yesterday evening we went over to Susan's house for appetizers and met up with each of our host families, with whom went to dinner with afterwards. My host family is a couple named Annie and John McClure and they have two children about my age. We all went out for Thai food (always a good choice for my diet) and it was a really enjoyable dinner. The McClure's seem like really wonderful people and I think they're going to be a really good resource if I decided to go on to seminary or divinity school. John is a professor of Homiletics
{Preaching} at Vanderbilt Divinity School and he used to teach at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Both he and Annie went to Fuller Seminary in CA and then John also got his Ph.D from Princeton Seminary {two places I'm really considering}. I'm really happy they are my host family and can't seem to believe how well God orchestrated that pairing!

Today was our day off, so we just ran some errands and went down to Broadway street {which is sort of Hollywood for Nashville} which was fun. Katie thought she saw a celebrity [the lead singer from Ben Folds Five] while we were down there. I went to go get what I was hoping was a cheap haircut at Supercuts today, but which turned into a very expensive endeavor. I asked for a Supercuts #3 option which was shampoo, haircut and "simple blow dry." I asked them if they could style it {run a flat iron through it} while I was there so I wouldn't have to do it. My salon back home always does that for free so I figured it couldn't be much more. Well, they ended up charging me about twice as much I had had intended to spend because my thick, curly hair required more than a 'simple dry' and because they straightened it and then the add-on tip. I felt like I had really been nickel and dimed! I could have protested but I figured it wasn't worth it and also I should have been more careful from the start (asking exactly how much more it would be to style my hair, etc). Next time I will just get the cheapest option or go to a cheaper place. I probably won't get my hair cut again for several months, too, so that will help.

I've been trying to pinch pennies as best I can, but it's been a bit expensive settling in as far as filling the refrigerator with stuff I will use throughout the year. This "simple living" thing is really hard, and- to tell you the truth- it's not my strong suit. :) I hope it will get easier as the year goes on and I will have to buy less stuff but I am struggling with it.

Please pray that I could learn how to be more frugal and careful about spending money. Please pray that the Lord would help me to rely on Him and to be content with little (Phil 4:11-13). Also, please pray that I would come to understand the difference between necessities and luxuries and to be able to limit luxuries.

As I mentioned before, we are going to be commissioned in the church tomorrow. I'm really excited for the service and to meet more people! I'll write again on Monday after my first day of work.

Blessings! and Thanks for everything.

Home Sweet Home

Well, the week of orientation continues. Last night we attended the Taize service at the church. It was a unique, peaceful service and the songs we sang were beautiful even though they were so simple. There weren't many people who came to the service but among the people who did come was my host family, the McClures--so I got to meet them. I am supposed to go over to their house tomorrow night for dinner and I'm excited to get to know them better.

This morning we had a member of the congregation, who is a psychologist and a visiting prof at Vanderbilt, speak to us about community. He had some interesting insights, a couple of which I thought I would share. First, he emphasized how political correctness is not a factor in relational intimacy, because part of getting to know each other means raw honesty. Many of us (esp. us women), he explained, are afraid to say what we want and what we need in a relationship because we don't stand our ground and are too focused on the needs of others. He also said that as a result of this, you cannot build community just based on pleasing others or "feel good" words. Another insight he had that I liked was that you can't control God's grace in a relationship. You ought to notice it and be thankful for it but you can't control it or dispense it like God (and thus we ought to be concerned with fairness between one another).

Susan (our coordinator) took Katie and I do help her with the Meals-on-Wheels program with Martha O'Bryan, a partner agency that neither of us volunteers chose. Martha O'Bryan is a family center for low-income families and neighborhoods and the Meals-on-Wheels program is a lunch distribution service for individuals in that area. Katie and I were assigned to an area called "High Rise"- a 9 story weathered apartment building- and surrounding houses. We met some very interesting people and it was fun. I think my favorite was a guy who calls himself "Elvis Presley Jr." We were warned that he genuinely thought he was Elvis Presley's son and that he wasn't quite all there (and was on some sort of drug). Although a very strange guy (and he REALLY did look like Elvis Presley) he was pretty harmless. But he did invite Katie and I to go to the Nashville Fair with him. Rest assured that we didn't agree to it. :)

After lunch today, Katie and I worked on our House Covenant. We talked about house rules and personal boundaries like a normal roommate agreement, but we also thought about how to enact the piece about "living in intentional Christian community" together. Although we already made the prayer wall, we decided that we would try to do a devotional together regularly to help keep each other spiritually-minded. Katie and I have many similar living habits so things should go smoothly. If not, hopefully by God's grace we can learn to communicate well with each other and to patiently bear with one another.

Tomorrow we start our Vocational Discernment and we'll be taking the Myers Briggs personality test and a few others. I've already taken the Myers Briggs a few times but I still like taking it. :) And who knows, maybe the result will be different this time!

Please pray for community this weekend as we meet everyone in the church and try to become an active part of this congregation. We are going to be commissioned in the church during worship on Sunday. Should be good! I really hate standing up in front of people though, so hopefully I don't get so nervous I pass out. lol .

Please pray for relationships formed between our host families and that we would be able to bless them as I think they will us.

I'll write again on Saturday or Sunday. Thanks for the prayers!

Safe and Happy

Hi everyone.

Well, my mom and I arrived safely in Nashville (after a couple stops in Kansas, including a send-off party in Kansas City) Sunday evening. I am pretty much all unpacked. I guess that's one of the advantages of not bringing very much stuff!

I came down with a cold Wednesday night and was really mad since I thought I would be starting work yesterday but it turns out that we don't actually start at our agencies until this coming Monday. This week is our 'Orientation week' where we go over lots of logistics, spend time getting to know each other and Nashville, and learn about each others agencies so we can support one another better. So that was a nice surprise!

It's been fun to meet everyone so far. The other volunteer, Katie, is my house mate in the 'tool shed.' I was a little nervous about how we would get along. She is from Pennsylvania and her dad's a minister and I've been amazed at how well we get along. She's a really down-to-earth, sweet girl and we I think we're going to have a lot of fun living together this year. Last night we ventured out on the town and went to a Shakespeare Festival that is happening right now at a local park, where we saw Coriolanus (one of Shakespeare's lesser known pieces). The play was good, and the actors were really good! One of the directors of the play made an interesting comparison in the program in which they compared the main character Coriolanus to both Barack Obama and John McCain. We thought the comparison was a bit of a stretch but it was interesting, nonetheless.


We have a few events scheduled within the next few days but they all sound fun and not too demanding. Tomorrow we have a 'scavenger hunt" around Nashville to get to know the city, visiting each other's agencies, having lunch at my agency (The Campus) and meeting our host family from the church. Then tomorrow evening we are going to a Taize service at the church in the evening. The Taize service is modeled after an ecumenical Christian monastic community in France. The service incorporates prayer, meditation, and simple worship (usually chanting lines from the Psalms). If you'd like to learn more about the Taize community in France, I found a cool Wikipedia article!:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiz%C3%A9_Community

Part of this year is a focus on intentional Christian community within our house. We are still learning and discerning how that looks. But today, one thing we decided to do to put this into action was to create a prayer wall out in our common room. We hung up Katie's map of the world and then we hung index cards for the prayers of people we know- and even those we don't know- all around the world around it.


I'm happy to be here, and I'm excited to meet everyone at my agency and at the church. I'm also excited (though, I admit, a little nervous) to get started at the Campus. I'll try to write a quick note about the Taize service tomorrow night.


Thanks for the prayers and support everyone. I can already tell I am going to be beyond blessed with the people in my life this year. Praise God for that.

The biggest prayer request I have for this week (and really, for the whole year)is figuring out how to eat cheaply with my diet restrictions (I can't eat wheat, dairy, egg or yeast). It's something that's hard to maintain while seeking and building community because I have trouble eating things at normal food gatherings. It has been a bit hard this week because Susan (our coordinator) has been treating us to meals and we are having several lunch get-togethers later this week. Please pray for understanding and acceptance and that we all could learn and grow together through bearing each others burdens (Gal 6:2).

Thanks!!
Love,

Blair