was it fate?

Two years ago this summer we were invited to a community BBQ. I didn't really want to go because I was depressed and I didn't want to see anyone, but I went to support a friend. And there they were... two women handing out fliers for a school.

The school's philosophy was explained to me as "place based education". Meaning education about math and science and language and everything is inspired by the place- maybe the classroom, or the school, or the neighborhood, or the city, or the state, or the world... but learning happens for a reason and it has a connection. 

The women were friendly- talking to everyone. I took a flier- never anticipating I'd hold on to it. I was afraid to even ask if they'd take my son because rejection was all too recent. I wanted to be able to promote the school to friends- and if I knew they wouldn't take my son, I'd never support it. That's the thing about Bentley that many don't understand... when you reject my son, you reject this deep part of this self- me. The part of me that carried him and birthed him and is working on raising him... and no rejection of him- whether I can explain it or not- is gonna be OK with me. You take him or you take none of us- that's just how I am. 

Eventually I mustered up the courage to ask if the school would accept children with disabilities. "Absolutely."  I think my heart dropped into the depths of the earth. In fact- I was so unsure of their words I didn't actually enroll him until several weeks later- a week before school. There are empty words in the world- and these words- they must be empty. 

The rest of the story is documented- it's on video and audio and pages on pages of reflection. Those words- they were not empty. They were full of truth. The kind of truth that changes you- every part of you. 

So today. Today was a day to write about in the books. Grace Lee Boggs turns 100 years old on Saturday. So today they had a celebration at the school to honor Grace. Many shared stories of how they met Grace or how even if they hadn't- how she has inspired them. It was the kind of afternoon I wish I would've recorded so I could replay it in my head over and over again. 

The Boggs school is all about community. Not the kind of fabricated community we choose for ourselves so we don't have to deal with conflict or challenges. Oh no- the kind of community that sees a person at the door and recognizes their place. It's comfortable to turn people away or to not be friends with those who think or believe or act differently than we would. But is it right? Who should we avoid and who should we love? And is avoiding people the answer? Bentley costs the school money and time resources and energy- but should he be denied access? And what does he offer? Does he offer joy and love and simplicity and love? And kids with behavioral problems from neglectful or abusive or painful homes or life stories- should they be turned away? Or should the community figure out a way to embrace them?  Grace Lee Boggs recommended you ask at least 10 people the answer to your question-then go back to the question and continue to reflect on it. It's not always about answers- but it is about change- and it's about collaboration and hearing others and their ideas. 

Questions were asked.... what is the role of the school in a community? How do the two interact with one another? What does the school expect from the community and what does the community expect from the school? 

I've been in Detroit for 7 years and I have seen a lot. Parts of the city are changing drastically. But what I saw today was decades of stories I don't have a clue about. Programs and friendships and dreams that go back far before I ever cared about schools and change and Detroit. The dream of having the Boggs School far exceeds my time here- and yet it was at the perfect time that it started and my son needed a school. We needed each other. 

I know that Bentley impacted the staff and students at the Boggs School- forcing everyone to confront their beliefs about education and people. I know that the confrontation was pure and right. I also know his effect on the school will outlive our time here. He will be remembered. I know this. But I also know that the school impacted me. My beliefs about myself, my family, my son, and how I see education are changing. You see- Bentley and Clayton were accepted into the elementary school closest to our home (though not the assigned school according to our address) yesterday. After months of prayer and agony and conversations we decided to go for the local school. The local school may not have all the things I had imagined a school my children attend having- nor does it have even a glimpse of the love, sweat and tears that the Boggs School has- but it has kids from our new community. It has walls and books and teachers and staff and it has hope. God- I pray it has hope. Hope to grow kids into adults who know and care and love.

So the beauty of today was so much more than a celebration of a century of one woman's life- but it was also the celebration of moving forward. I was surrounded by activists and dreamers and leaders today. People who hear your story and encourage you to not stop- never give up- but to push for what is right. The kind of group that makes you feel like you're leaving with a super hero cape and their hand prints all over it saying, "Go and change." And when I look back with a timid soul and fearful eyes they're smiling at me- the kind of smile I'm gonna offer my two boys on the first day of school that says, "You've got this. You already have what you need. And what you don't have- well you're about to learn it." 

And so it is.... the tattoo on my heart that the Boggs school staff has given me that will give me and remind me and help me- as we go forth- 

Thank you, you'll never know how much. 

a great weekend with my mom

David and I had a fabulous weekend with my mom here. We ate at some excellent restaurants including Palios, El Sabor Latino, Habana Cafe, and a small restaurant in Ontario, Canada. Yummy!!!!
Here are some pics of our great time.



on our way to dinner after my mom arrive!


Palios has the most amazingly delicious food!


eating at el sabor latino


David and Uncle Dave at the Cuban restaurant


Ginger had us over for dinner and we celebrated my birthday!


My beautiful mom


I took my mom to the motown museum, but it was closed. :(





We are such a pair, aren't we???

an update

We put on shoes, socks, pants, shirts, and sweaters to embrace the cool weather. My cheeks are still rosy from our morning walk. We walked on a lovely path through tall trees whose leaves are beginning to change. My hands are still warming up...I think it's time to buy mittens.

Step into Africa is happening at our church this week. It's a World Vision experience to bring awareness to the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Yesterday I was at the church for several hours in the morning, and then went to a women's tea to hear about the effects of the virus on women and then volunteered at the experience in the evening. There are four children represented in the exhibit. You see photos of their homes, their families...their lives. You are stamped in the clinic with the result of your AIDS test. My hand still bears a red circle with a red plus in the middle. I have walked through the lives of two children...Babiyre and Emmanuel...a girl and a boy...both incidentally from Uganda. The experience is quite moving. There are many things about the AIDS crisis that I was unaware of...including the effects of poverty and how that accelerates the disease much quicker than in the US. I am learning a lot about World Vision...including their devotion to the lives of children...right in line with my calling. :) I find the non profit organization to be quite wonderful, despite my previous thoughts.

David and I plan to have a low key morning... I need to clean this pig pen of a home and he will study then we will reunite and go downtown to the Saturday Market and buy fresh fruits and vegetables for the week. This afternoon I work with one of the elderly women, and then at the restaurant. David will be going to watch the Florida/Tennesse football game at the youth pastor's home. I am bummed I can't go!

This week youth group starts and I will be working with frosh/sophomore girls. The chosen study is a book called Designed By God by Regina Franklin. I think it should bring up some important topics about image. Please pray for my time with the girls as I look to build relationships.

So that's the update.

A Great Weekend

What a lovely weekend at the cottage! I was able to wake up one morning at 6:30 to take a picture of the kayak as the sun was rising. (Then I went back to bed!!!) I also dropped a ski and am learning on one now. HURRAY!!! I am trying to follow in the steps of the pros as seen in the pics above!

And the moon was a magnificent bright orange on Saturday night.

I admit settling back into life is a bummer deal. I like the tranquility and peace of the cottage. Coming home to laundry, cleaning, and reality... bites!

off to the cottage

I am soooo excited to go up north.

wisdom

I was on the phone with a very wise man yesterday. We were conversing about different job possibilities. I said, "It's hard for me to take a job that pays $8 an hour. I just feel like I am worth more than that."

He said, "Well dear, you can't measure your worth in dollars and cents."

on jobs

It's been a frustrating move to Michigan in terms of job hunting. I am interested in doing all kinds of things to make money. I think the biggest challenge is my self esteem. I know I can walk in and get a job at a restaurant, or find a decent nanny position, or work at any retail store in the mall. I also know I can get a job working with children at a day care. The common denominator: none of the jobs pay more than $10/hour, and the majority pay around $7. Yet I feel much better when I am offered a job even if the pay is low. After some time working for low pay though I start to get depressed that I am not making more...I realize not only do we need more, but I have the ability to make more.
Family and friends have also been encouraging me to look at better options including social work, Applied Safety, and the University of Michigan.
For the last couple weeks I have had NO idea what I wanted to do. Nothing was drawing my attention. I viewed everything as a "stupid job." I have been praying for direction and for a pasiont about something. Yesterday afternoon I decided to pursue the University of Michigan. It's hard for me because I will be rejected many times, but I know once chosen for a job it will be worth it. So pray for me during this process.
I'd also like to note that I do have direction and purpose in what I want to do! You all know my biggest passion and what God has called me to do in this life is to be a Mom. So finding a job apart from what I want so badly is also a shocker to reality now. I know God is faithful and I know He wouldn't give me this deep passion if He wasn't going to do something with it. Thus, it's a time of great faith for me.
Oh and p.s. on the prayer blog... I have found my prayer life to thrive on my morning walks. I am glad I found Steven's prayer blog YESTERDAY. I had no idea it existed. So now I can pray specifically for him. Maybe we should set up a family prayer blog and we can submit various prayer requests and then we can be praying for specifics. Hmmmm
I love you all!

Meet Charlie

So I wanted a beagle...and we all know I am relentless! David said I could get a beagle if we didn't have to pay for it. So I went on craigslist for a few days and then I found a beagle listed!
Charlie was adopted from the Humane Society in January, but the lady who adopted him has pit bulls and a pit bull attacked him. So the lady gave him to a girl she worked with. Then the girl couldn't keep him because she lives at home and they have 4 dogs. So I called her and we went to her house. We showed up and all the dogs were barking, but not Charlie! He is very sweet, but very timid. He prefers to be by himself most of the day and lay around. When you try to pet him he puts his tail between his legs. It's really sad...but he's already doing a lot better.

Settling in

It's been awhile since I have posted. Oops. David and I are finally settling in. The condo is 99% done. I just need to clean up my desk and put random things away. For those of you who know me well...you know I have way too many random things!
I love our condo!!!! It's so great. The neighborhood is beautiful with lots of trees, flowers, and a blanket of grass. Everyone says hi when we walk by and we even get into conversations with people from time to time. There our lots of walks we can do for fun, including a nature walk that takes you back into the woods not 5 minutes from our condo. The weather has been a pleasant 75-83 degrees. We have had lots of sun, although it looks like today might be a bit cloudy.
We attended Huron Hills Baptist Church on Sunday. Luke made sure we felt comfortable and met a lot of people. The church is teaming up with World Vision and preparing a huge event to bring more awareness to the AIDS crisis in Africa. Just my kind of church! it seems to be very servant focused and there are all kinds of ways to get involved in the community. After church we barbequed in the park! It was so great. I had a great time playing frisbee as well. Then later that evening Luke took us to game night at his bosses house (who also goes to HH). We played baseball with a big plastic bat and larager ball. It was a blast!!!! Then we played volleyball and then catchphrase inside. It was so fun to be outside until after 10 running around in bare feet. So far, Michigan is treating me quite well. It reminds me of Oregon.
The job hunt was going slow. I applied at so many jobs and wasn't hearing anything... I found some jobs at the UofM that seemed great...but now word. So I went downtown to apply at some fancy restaurants on Main St. Gratzi interviewd me, but because it's been a couple years would have me host and be a server's assistant for awhile before I would serve...which isn't that bad...they said they'd give me a call. Then I was walking down the street and I heard latin music and I walked inside. I filled out an application, they interviewed me in Spanish and hired me on the spot! I was given a t shirt, apron and asked to return on Thursday for training! SWEET. I will have 10 table sections...very different from the measley 3 at Bahama Breeze. I also have to carry a tray. Gulp. But I think I will like it. It's a small, family owned restaurant called El Sabor Latino. There are only 3 servers on at a time...very different from the like 20 at Bahama Breeze. So far everyone I have talked to LOVES eating there. Good sign.
So yeah...things are going well here. I have a surprise post that I will put on later so check back!!