The cups at Starbucks say that, so I felt compelled to write that as my little "title."
Let me paint a picture of the town that I live in...
A group of women are sitting beside me, mothers presumably, and their children just walked in. Probably no more than 10 years old. The little girl who is wearing a jean bag has a pin with windmills on it (conserve energy) which says "YES," on it. In other words, vote yes on the next bill. What on earth does she know about that? Granted, it's from her parents I'd assume, it still makes me laugh. And I am in favor of conserving energy, so it doesn't really upset me, but it does make me laugh.
I do like Lexington on rainy days like today, and especially sitting in this Starbucks. I've finally been here long enough to make friends with the baristas. I hate that weird in between time frame where you hope they remember your drink, so you sometimes say, "I'll have the usual," but when they look at you, dumbfounded, you feel slightly retarded. The awkward grace period has ended for me, though. I walked in, and the nice, yet older man said, "grande black tea latte with soy?" Hallelujah. Someone understands me. ;)
That's why I miss Haverhill Starbucks. Honestly, call me weird, but there really isn't anything like walking into your favorite place in the world, and hearing a bunch of hellos, carla! etc. Makes you feel at home. However, Lexington is home now, as temporary as it may be. I'm going to take some pictures later, in town. I think it'll be fun.
Anyways, what else is on tap? I would love to say something wonderful and exciting! I have been traveling to churches, leading worship. This has been such a wonder to me, especially the past weekend when I was at a Vietnamese church. For the first time, I had a translator! It was so cool (different languages really interest me). Their culture and approach to God is so different, which makes me try and attempt to understand them a little better. Most asians have a thing with eye-contact, so it was very different shaking hands with people and not have them give you eye contact, haha. What is insulting in western culture is considered very respectful in eastern. People! It's great.
I sang in Vietnamese along with them, which really created such a beautiful bond with the people. Vietnamese characters are like Latin, so I could really read everything- had NO CLUE what I was saying, but I trusted the English translation next to it. :) Then the rest of the service when I lead, I lead in English. Languages are no boundary for the Lord- He works right through them, creating a family of diversity. I really liked working with Mike Strawn, too, a former classmate of mine. He is a great guy with a great passion for these people as he and Cory are pastoring them.
I brought Kate with me, too. She has been such a great travel friend. I don't think there is anyone that I travel with best like I do her. I don't know of anyone else who buys tickets to Hawaii within two weeks of departure, and somehow, we make it work. Life has treated me kindly in that area. Well, God has treated me well. He is a kind God, full of love and compassion. Why is it easy to always bypass that?
I met up with Zac and Ashley, too, on Tuesday night at SAAG for a worship practice. I'm leading there this Sunday, which should be a blast! I like South Attleboro AG. It was so great to see them, too, though. Again, God has blessed me with some incredible friendships. The friendships where it takes no effort... you know? I sometimes go months without SEEING them, but when I do, it's as if nothing has changed. I love that. There are few people in my life that posses that quality. Don't burn a bridge, especially if you get lost someday and that bridge was the only means of getting back.
Bill Johnson spoke some truth to me, too, on the ride home... Thanks to podcasts from Bethel. He said, "Make whatever you say to people make them hunger more for God." That's great. What are we talking about with people if it is not bringing them closer or to a place of wanting to be closer to God? Since being home, my parents have said that I have become a woman of little words. I don't know... I'd rather not say much, but when I do... I guess this blog makes up for it, haha. I feel like I can be as random as I want though here, and really, it's up to the reader to stop reading. :)
Richard freaking Foster. If you don't let this man speak into your life, you are missing out.
"Prayer frees us from anxiety because it teaches us trust. The result is peace: 'And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus' (Phil. 4:7). Prayer and simplicity are intertwined."
I'll keep going.
"If what we own can look slightly austere and unvarnished, then perhaps others will think we live in simplicity. Painfully, we know we are too dependent upon the approval of others. We sincerely want to do what is right, but our own self-consciousness betrays our lack of true simplicity. d Our struggle affirms the observation of Francois Fenelon, 'These people are sincere, but they are not simple.' The grace of solitude must be rooted deep within if we are to know simplicity of heart."
Regina Spektor just came on in Starbucks. God loves me, haha.
Conversations in coffee shops are so interesting.
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