Union Rescue Mission

Kevin and I volunteered at the mission on Skid Row during the time lunch was served to the homeless women and childrens group (last Saturday). It was part of a Mosaic "Amos Project" day where they set up various volunteer projects throughout the city and encouraged the church to be pro-active in social affairs thru the story of Amos. Soup kitchens aren't at all new to me though, I used to love to volunteer for them in Kansas City while in high school. I have to admit, KC compared to LA's Skid Row... I was quite intimidated as we approached the shelter through the heavily littered streets of trash, tents, cardboard boxes, tarps, and people sitting as still as statues, their gaze fixed on some distant object only they can see.

There were so many volunteers in the kitchen that I decided to go wander around the tables, where the women and children were eatting. At first I had no idea what to do so I just watched or slowly walked amongst them, offering to pick up their trays when they were done or to get a drink refill. They all seemed so quiet, so tired, that I almost felt like trying to talk would somehow invade the cloud of silence that surrounded them. So I reverted back to an high school move where I would sit a few feet away from a person, seeing if I sensed any openness. I did this three or four times before I realized a lady a few feet away was watching my every move with curious eyes and so I slowly moved towards her.

I started with probably the dumbest opening line, but I had no idea what to say- "so, its pretty hot out there huh?" When she responded yes I sat down in front of her and we began to talk. She told me briefly about where she grew up, her educational background, etc. and then suddenly stopped and said, "are you a Christian"... and then told me all about how she hated Christians and how last night a group of them were walking through the streets signing worship songs at 11pm and how annoyed she was b/c she was trying to sleep... I told her I understood... then the security guards started ushering people out so that the next group of homeless people could come in and so our conversation was cut short.

As she got up to walk away she said with sudden assertiveness, "You are beautiful. You have a beautiful spirit. You are so beautiful." She caught me by complete surprise and all I could do was wave and whisper thanks as she quickly disappeared back onto the street again. I felt so strange after that. Afterall, I had come here to "minister" to them, and somehow, strangely, I felt like she ministered to me. You see, that woman was so beautiful to me, although the weariness of life hung on her every movement, there was something very distinctive about her eyes that drew me in and I wished I could follow her out onto the street, to sit with her, to learn from her life.

I wonder how tired I looked to her that day, b/c I felt the weariness of a busy life hanging on my every movement as well, and I could barely wait to sit down after lunch was over. In that one moment I sat with her, I suddenly felt as though we were somewhat the same. In this material world we live in, with tiredness knocking at our door, whether its because we lack employment and a steady job, or because our lives are too full of employment and an endless list of jobs to do... I almost missed a moment of beauty that day, b/c I was trying too hard to be busy, to serve... That woman, with nothing but a small bag and headphones, and a dragging stride, captured my heart with her honesty about her life and in the generosity of her words.

San Francisco: Our Two-Day Vacation

Riding the trolly thru downtown to the fisherman's wharf. A surprise discovery: we were taking a shortcut thru a plaza and came across a Martin Luther King Jr. memorial. It had the most inspiring and challenging quotes written on the wall. I wish I could have written them all down. I guess San Fran is also famous for all the civil rights movements that took place during King Jr.'s time.
Me at the memorial. (Kristina- I'm using the bag you gave me from New Zealand!)
Kevin at the chocolate factory. San Fran had one of the largest chocolate factorys in the early 1900s. It is now a quant plaza formed around chocolate shops. They had some of the old equipment on display... showing how they made their infamous chocolate fudge syrup.
At Sears... a breakfast restaurant downtown known for its Swedish silver dollar pancakes.
Of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. We rented bikes and rode them from the fisherman's wharf to the bridge, to the bridge park and back... over 20 miles. We were so exhausted afterwards we could barely move, but some Gelado sure helped :)
Looking up. At the Golden Gate Bridge park... a flower conservatory.

And, last but not least, Italian food! I tried pumpkin ravioli... so GOOD! Kevin even tried foods he's probably never even thought of- like crab stuffed tortellini and ham/swiss pizza. I was so proud of him!
We loved San Fran... it reminded me of an American version of Prague- famous bridge, fog always hangs over the water, clay tile roofs, trollys... maybe we'll end up moving here someday :)

Sacramento: Knox Family Wedding

Kevin and his father at the reception.

Knox/Howard family picture

Kevin and our nephew Ian. He is so great with kids!

Josh

Friday

My brother left yesterday to go back to Kansas City... just when I was getting used to seeing him everyday. So sad. I had to concentrate hard at work to keep the tears from creeping up.

And today... somebody brought brownies into the office... NO GOOD.

Did I mention I miss my brother?