So, we've had a fairly eventful week or two...
On May 27th, we were able to meet with Amy and Adam Pierce, who own the Brown House and Blue House in Northport, AL (http://www.the-brown-house.org). They decided 7 years ago to move into a "rough" area of town (actually right in the middle of the "projects") and open their lives up to their neighbors and live their life to be Christ's presence in a place of darkness. We had so many questions for them, and they were not only gracious enough to sit down with us and answer all of our questions - but they also cooked an incredible meal for us, and we all sat and ate and talked together. They talked in detail about everything from their decision to sell everything they had and move to the projects, to their disgust with consumerism and the so called American Dream, to Adam's decision to learn to play the guitar after they got rid of their televisions.
While we were there and talking, we were able to see their lives in action. Not only did they open their home to us, but we also saw several kids and adults from the neighborhood just drop by to say hello. It was obvious that they have made an awesome impact on the lives of those around them. And while Adam and Amy both very deliberately declare that their purpose is not to "change the neighborhood" but to be Christ's presence in the neighborhood and in turn help change the lives of the individuals living there - it was obvious that their presence had done far more good for the people around them and the neighborhood environment than they had ever dreamed or planned.
After talking with them for a couple of hours and realizing how much we had in common, it felt as if we had known them for years and were simply getting back together with life long friends who we'd lost contact with.
They literally give everything they have to their neighbors and their community on a daily basis. This is the kind of reckless abandon that I want to learn to love with. It is so refreshing to see someone in our very own town devoting their lives to loving others. It can be done... If you need proof, just give Amy and Adam a call or send them an E-mail.
I am a flawed person. I fail every single day in some way or another - and some days I feel like the biggest hypocrite in the history of the world and completely worthless. But I still want to strive to live my life as Jesus taught us. I still want to love people with everything I have. I still want to break the chains of stereotypes and destroy the myth of the happiness that the striving for the "American Dream" brings.
After dinner, we asked Amy and Adam if we could bring the youth of Christ Harbor UMC to help them do some work around the house. Thankfully, they had the perfect job for us, and we were able to paint the fence around their community garden.
For Memorial Day weekend, Whitney and I were blessed enough to have the opportunity to enjoy the 4 day weekend with some great friends and family. We spent most of our time at a beautiful house overlooking Lake Guntersville - and we all were able to just sit back and relax and do whatever we wanted. It was the first real "vacation" that Whitney and I have had since our Honeymoon in December of 2007. We had an awesome time hanging out with everyone that went, and we did everything from having a ladder golf tournament (we lost... bad) and riding the sea-doo around, to taking an aluminum boat out and paddling around our boat dock.
The best part of the weekend for me, though, was being able to just sit around and talk with everyone that was there and being able to hang out with my brother and his family. It made me realize how blessed I truly am to have the people in my life that I do. I was around such a diverse group of people, and because of that - there was never a dull moment.
I have the most amazing sister in laws ever. Listening to Leah Kathryn tell me about her decision process in accepting a new part time job was absolutely encouraging, and I'm incredibly proud and blessed to have her as a sister in law. I have never not enjoyed being around Meredith... her smile never gets old, and it was such a blessing to be able to spend some time with her over that weekend. And because Olivia wasn't there, I kinda realized how awesome she is. I pretty much missed her a bunch. She's got a heart of gold and is overflowing with joy.
Plus the awesome mother and father in-law who allowed us to take the sea-doo all the way to Guntersville (and let ME tow it... HA!)... they completely break every stereotype of "in-laws" that you hear about from other people and the TV, and I love it. They are the textbook definition of Godly parents - and I am SO thankful that they raised Whitney to be such an amazing woman of God.
With the different personalities mixing between Cara, Matt, Chris, Ashley and April, Justin and Laura Beth, plus Whitney and I and the Mills sisters - you can take me at my word when I say it was never dull - even when we were "relaxing". It was truly an awesome weekend with some incredible people.
Also... I was reminded what a crazy awesome best friend I have when Chris Hicks graciously allowed me to borrow his truck for the weekend so we could tow the sea-doo. He agreed to swap vehicles with me... which pretty much makes him the best ever.
Praise God for friends and family, and all of the people that he allows us to come in contact with. God can bless us through the presence of other people on a daily basis.
Challenge for the next week: Say a prayer of thanks for the people that God has placed and will place in your life... and keep finding people to love :)
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