amy's ice creams and texas barbeque

i took a trip to austin...

where the city noises are replaced by cicadas' chattering calls; and the new-york minutes by lone-star naps.

where the Ford F150 is the luxury vehicle of choice, and patriotism is displayed in burnt orange and "hook 'em horns"

where weird comes naturally and is emboldened and maintained in writing on the backs of Tyler's tees

where people know what "let's get on down to the Oasis" actually means

where you can say "y'all" all you want, and not be made fun of

where home will always be, no matter how metropolitanized i may become



are we there yet?

my flight home was the longest 4 hours of my life. i hope i never again have to wait 7 months to go home. i passed the time watching the chosen feature, Spiderman 3, reading the new Harry Potter book, and making small-talk with the amusing girl next to me who was returning from a two month tour with her rock star dad, lead singer of Tito and Tarantula.

the ride home from the airport was just about as agonizing, but when we pulled into the driveway, and i saw my niece and nephew outside waiting for me, i was out the door and into their arms before the car even came to a stop.

"c'mon, unt Guh, wet's pway wing awound the wosie" Luke said as he tugged me by the hand, just as if we'd never been apart.





shh...

i went running one morning up and down the neighborhood hills, savoring the humid air that smelled of freshly cut grass. (man, this place is gorgeous, and the sky is so expansive and blue). of the mere 5 or so people i passed, every one of them smiled, waved, or said, "how ya do". when i reached the middle of my street i stopped, took my earphones out, and listened. there was no one in sight, i heard not one car or any man-made sound, just birds and insects. and for a moment, i closed my eyes, and pretended i was the only person on earth. it felt nice.


a means to a beginning

a month of refining and renewing. my journal is awash with assessments of past and present mistakes, and inquiries for a seemingly silent God. i attempted to fixate on not worrying. such a simple concept and commandment, yet one of the most onerous for me to master. i wrestled with coveting an instantaneous solution, instead of succumbing to the procedure. Oswald puts it so well: "God is not working toward a particular finish-His purpose is the process itself."

i couldn't figure out why, but i was dragging my feet on the whole job search. i had no clue what i should be looking for, and even contemplated moving back to tx; be close to my family. the thought was unsettling, though, because i knew i couldn't bring Apostles with me. of all things that make up my experiences in this giant, fluctuating city, my church has remained the most constant. i have never wavered in the Lord's purpose for me there. i knew if i would be willing to move somewhere for a job, i should be willing to stay somewhere for a church. i've inadvertently waited my whole Christian life for a church like this- i still can't believe it actually exists.

and so, i knew i must wait. if the Lord doesn't tell me to move, then i stay put.

i am happy to report that the waiting is over. my pastor graciously offered me a position of ministry with the church. God's silence was immediately reversed, and His asseveration was loud and clear. my dragging feet have been tap dancing ever since.

i will be focusing on the collegiate and women's ministries, which i couldn't be more excited about. i am currently working on raising monthly support, as the church is yet too young to provide a salary. Please let me know if the Lord is leading you to be involved in this important ministry. i would be happy to send you a support letter and share with you a little more about my passion for this church and the people of new york city.

won't you praise the Lord with me?