Love of Home

So yesterday I had a few experiences happen that forced me to think about the emotions behind some of the things I have been/and will be writing about.
The first thing was I got a comment on my previous blog entry that caused me to stop and think. It was mostly helpful in seeing the truth behind some of the words and implications I made- and I made adjustments accordingly. More on that later.
The second thing was a dear friend of mine (from Detroit- we'll call her Christie shared with me how it was painful to hear another friend (lives in surrounding suburb)- we'll call her Mary- not want to move here because essentially it's not good enough for her and her family.
Initially I was mad about the comment on my blog, but after talking with Christie about some of the comments that were painful, I realized we all love where we come from. And often people from the outside see things that either are not the reality of life in that place- or say things that are true, but hard to hear.
I'd like to defend and reveal to you the reasons for the "harsh" language...
In defense of Nogales- I LOVE Nogales. It's one of my favorite places. I love the culture- the people- the fact that David's family is there and takes me to the most delicious restaurants and I can buy lots of cheap things at the "cinderella" stores. I have never felt unwelcomed or unsafe. If God wills- I would LOVE to return to Nogales one day to raise my children there. Also, the landscape in Nogales is BEAUTIFUL. With that said, many people who are operating on a different value system- or who only read the news find it to be a "dangerous" place. I use quotations with dangerous because I don't feel unsafe when I'm there, but there are drug wars going on. I also know that there were people who thought the Crawfords were a little crazy for moving there with kids. Yes, I know- this thought is infuriating, but it's true. I use Nogales as a contrast of Detroit because it's a place that people are afraid of- or unwilling to raise their kids there- and don't necessarily want to go to- unless they're traveling through to go to the Mexican side and eat out or shop.
Back to Detroit.
David and I were challenged on more than one occasion that living in Detroit is a bad idea and that we're putting our lives in danger. Ok, I don't feel unsafe here. There are things I avoid- gas stations after dark, walks after dark... but there are MANY more things I do- walks with the boys alone, finding niches around the city I like to go to- and enjoying some great things big cities have to offer. I have friends who feel uncomfortable getting gas or even driving alone to my house- I think I have had at least 3 girlfriends who are unwilling to drive here alone (they live in other cities). This is not a mean thing to say, it's the truth of something I have experienced. If I told my neighbors this they'd probably say something like, "For real?! They don't have to be scared. Detroit isn't THAT bad!" Inside they'd probably be a little insulted. My friend Christie felt this way. She struggled to hear that Mary wouldn't feel comfortable putting her kids in the schools here.
My challenge in posting things like this is to challenge the truth behind our thoughts. When we won't move to a place because the schools are bad or it's "unsafe" or for whatever reason- we are making the implication that those people are not good enough for me and mine. It continues the cycles of being divided. I'm not telling you all to get up and move to poor areas- well I guess I am- but I am not being JUDGMENTAL about it- I'm just putting the challenge out there. I love you, my readers, and I want to celebrate what God is doing in your lives- and share what He's doing in mine.
So let this be the post that lays the foundation for when I talk about Nogales or Detroit. I love both cities. And I say things that aren't necessarily true- especially to people from those places- but I am saying them and contrasting them because a lot of people believe they're true- and there's some sarcasm behind my words- most probably know this- but if you don't know me I can see how you would misinterpret what I am trying to say, especially when my writing isn't as clear as I'd like it to be.

Anyway, I apologize for initially mis-representing Nogales and I hope I've adequately changed the wording. I apologize if any ofmy words and challenging and painful to read. I'm likely to make lots of mistakes on my blog and I've changed my comments so they come through me first- so if you want to suggest something I will read it and consider to change a post. :)

I get very frustrated with people sometimes and I am very passionate about what I do. I have a HOT list of topics that if you get me going I will use strong words and defend what I think is true to the point of exhaustian. :) This is something you all should love about me, and help shape me to do this, but with love. I am proud to have strong convictions, but not necessarily in making people feel badly.

More controversial posts to come.