We are finally going on vacation.
We are excited about this one because for the first time since our honeymoon (almost 9 years ago) we will be alone for the first time. We have never had enough money to do a "real" vacation so we just to go to both of our parents' places most of the time. Other times it has been with other people and again, not alone time.
This time it will be alone. We are dropping our daughter off at "Grammie and Poppa's" house and then going out on our week excursion.
So...now that we have time alone, and some money, what ARE we going to do on vacation. Well, we're really excited about this...
We're going to spend a week at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI.
Not for a job, just to go and take it in. Rob Bell's teachings has been insurmountable in both of our journeys, and MHBC are doing things we have always dreamt about doing, so we're going to get a first-hand look at what's going on. We have no idea what's going to happen. We're literally showing up, talking to people, see if they can go out to lunch, dinner, etc...and go from there. We have been looking forward to this for a very long time.
Now, with that out of the way, I know I have been pretty silent for a good 2 months. There is a good reason for that. There are things I want to talk about but quite honestly am afraid to because some in my current place might take it the wrong way and well...you know how that goes. It's just not something I want to get into right now. Part of me has just said to do it anyway, but I have a family to think about too. It has been a big struggle the last couple of months, and things seem to be getting more intense with my wife and I's feelings on church. We know we think differently, now it's just trying to find people who will at least listen. We feel very alone.
At the same time, we have a great time with our neighbors. We have a swing set in our backyard and live in a 7-apartment building that all leads out to the swing set. We have some great neighbors. Next door are a couple with two young girls (around Grace's age). He is a jazz guitarist (and very good) and I think she works at Citibank (which many people do around here b/c Hagerstown is their major hub). We also have some Chinese neighbors who run the local Chinese restaurant in town (which we frequent quite often). The parents speak some English, and they have two children around Grace's age as well, but they speak NO English. It's really fun trying to communicate with them without words. Needless to say I'm trying to learn some Chinese. The parent's are always gone. They work 12 hour days 7 days a week, seriously...it's amazing. The grandparents take care of the kids as their full-time gig.
We also have a single mom who I think is in her 40's. She teaches fitness and is a huge environmental buff, which actually is refreshing. She is such an interesting person and pleasant to talk with. She knows a ton about plants, gardening, etc...and has done some amazing things in the backyard to make it more of a refuge.
We have a young married couple who just moved in 2 weeks ago who are new Christians. We are excited about getting to know them and are going to get together when we get back from vacation. They had some amazing stories so far about what they did before they started going to church. Just intense stuff.
Our neighbors at the end work for the Baltimore Fire Department. We have only introduced ourselves, but haven't really had a chance to talk with them. They have a 5-year old daughter who is very shy but has just started to come over on the swing set.
The neighbors at the house on the other side of the building have an almost 6-yr. old daughter. We have already went to one of her birthday parties and she comes over a lot to play.
It's pretty fun watching the interaction of everyone. I'm pulling the two Chinese kids in a wagon around the yard while Grace runs into the one neighbor's house to get drinks. They then come over to our place and we feed Grace and the neighbors daughter. Most of the neighbors are out back on their decks doing something or other, and we're having casual conversation.
I felt more alive that day than any other in a long time. Why can't I feel that way at church?
Well enough said. I will try to blog about our experience at Mars Hill when I get a chance (I think our hotel will have free Internet)
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