Dear Brooklyn,
I loved you from the moment we first met. You made my heart feel at home. Thank you for all the love and memories we have shared over the past six years. Our afternoons in Prospect park, walks through the city and your georgeous city skyline lights at night. Sitting on stoops, mister softee's beckoning tune, and dear dear friends. I will miss you dearly and always think of you with fondness. Please don't forget about me, I will never forget about you. Now it's time to say goodbye, but I'm leaving a piece of my heart with you.
Love always,
*J
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
It's almost time..
..to say 'goodbye'
We have been busy packing boxes, throwing things out, and spending a little more time with our friends before we leave. Things that have been good?...
* A trip to Queens for Columbian food with Ralphy and Sharon.
* Taking a breather from the packing and going to the beach for the day with my two favorite guys/Charles first time at the ocean!
* Finding $10.00 in an old pair of jeans before throwing them out
* A cooking lesson with Gloria (red beans and rice + her famous soup)
* Past episodes of The Office- never fails to make me laugh out loud
* Corner Burger with Ashley
* Answers to prayer
* Talks with my husband of the future and God's GOOD plans for us
* Celebrating Chris' birthday with friends, food, and cheesecake
* Tea Lounge date with Lindsay
* All church picnic
* Dinner, fellowship, and views with people who mean so much to us
Chris is driving the truck out with a friend and leaving Monday morning. Charles and I will be flying in on Tuesday. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel.
We have been busy packing boxes, throwing things out, and spending a little more time with our friends before we leave. Things that have been good?...
* A trip to Queens for Columbian food with Ralphy and Sharon.
* Taking a breather from the packing and going to the beach for the day with my two favorite guys/Charles first time at the ocean!
* Finding $10.00 in an old pair of jeans before throwing them out
* A cooking lesson with Gloria (red beans and rice + her famous soup)
* Past episodes of The Office- never fails to make me laugh out loud
* Corner Burger with Ashley
* Answers to prayer
* Talks with my husband of the future and God's GOOD plans for us
* Celebrating Chris' birthday with friends, food, and cheesecake
* Tea Lounge date with Lindsay
* All church picnic
* Dinner, fellowship, and views with people who mean so much to us
Chris is driving the truck out with a friend and leaving Monday morning. Charles and I will be flying in on Tuesday. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Untitled
I read an article and watched the video about a black man who was beaten and run over with a truck by a group of white teens. Apparently they were at a party when one decided it would be fun to go look for a black person to mess with (expletives omitted). They drove from their part of Jackson to the predominately black part and the first black person they saw, in a parking lot, they beat up and killed. Shouts of ‘White Power’ are recorded in the video surveillance tape. This is 2011. These are 18 year olds. To say that racism and hatred are a part of our past is ignorant. A question was raised regarding the article about where this hatred comes from. I believe it’s taught. Adults, parents, we are the ones who must stop this hate. It is so true that our actions and words really do shape the lives and opinions of our children. It hurts my heart to think, to know, that there are still people with such hatred and violence and racism and ignorance in their hearts. It makes me long for the day Jesus will come back- I know He is waiting for every last soul that will come to Him to come, but one day the waiting will be over. The time will come. And finally the suffering will end. He will wipe away every tear from their eye.
It makes me think back to our first trip to Philly a few years ago when I over heard a little black girl make a comment about a barbie doll she was looking at to her mother/grandmother. She said the doll was pretty and her mother snapped back, ‘no she aint- she aint pretty’ ‘Why not?’ the little girl asked, confused.. ‘because she’s.. WHITE’ whispered the grandmother. Hearing those words stung- not because I am white and felt insulted, no they stung because that little girl was learning right then that there is a hostile difference between blacks and whites and that white people are not to be liked. I understand where the woman was coming from.. but why not turn it around? Why not say something like ‘yea she’s pretty, but I think you are beautiful..’ Build up our children. Teach them to love themselves and others. To appreciate the beauty in all of God’s people.
There’s a 21 year old Latino girl that Chris works with who, when finding out Chris is married to a white woman, said that she doesn’t like that. She doesn’t think white people and black people (or any race for that matter) should mix. She doesn’t think it’s right. 'That’s just the way I was brought up', she said.
That’s just the way she was brought up. Brought up. BROUGHT UP.
There has to be a common thread here. I’m not talking about sin in the world, though I know that that is much of it, if not all. But I am talking about the fact that this is a legacy we are leaving for our children, and our children’s children and so on. It has to stop with US. Our children’s generation are still being taught that hatred is ok. That race and skin color and cultures and sexual orientation for that matter, are things to be hated. Beat. Run over with a truck. Killed. That some people are better than other people because of their skin color.
I want to hear love taught. I want the hatred and prejudice and racism to be shattered and for love, GOD’s true love- not the love that people falsely use as a means to justify their hate- to grow and multiply in it’s place.
Over the past six years I have lived, worked and worshiped in an environment that is culturally and racially mixed. At my job at one school I was the minority. Most of the other white people, and there were few, were Polish, Italian or Russian. Not just plain-jane-generations of my family have lived in this country- white. And while at times it was uncomfortable, I would rather have that than be in a place where everyone is white. Everyone is just like me. Baked Potatoes. I’m not saying that everything is perfect, there are still prejudices etc.. but I would just rather be among diversity instead of uniformity. Heaven is going to be diverse people! ALL peoples ALL nations will be there worshiping ONE GOD. How beautiful that will be!! Lord change the hearts of this generation! Give us a love for each other, for each person, for all your creation.
Let the words of the sunday school song run true in our hearts- ‘red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight’- they are precious in our sight!
This is something I wonder about as we prepare to move back to Minneapolis. Don’t get me wrong, I know Minneapolis is diverse- but it’s not like NY. (is any place really?) I want to be in a community where there are people that look different that I do. I want to find a church that is diverse, that reflects the community is is located in. I want my son to grow up not only knowing that he is treasured but to treasure those around him. This starts with us, with Chris and myself, and by grace of God. God change the hearts of this generation.
I have often had this vision that, if I were a better artist I would attempt to put on paper but because I am not I feel like it wouldn’t do it justice. It’s of 8th avenue looking towards the Verrazano Bridge and there is a great, all encompassing light shining in the distance so that you can’t see anything past the horizon of the street and the frame of the buildings on either side. It’s just light. And people are running into the avenue from the streets on either side so that the avenue is filled with people lifting their hands and eyes toward the light and running in that direction as if the avenue has become a pathway to the center of the light. But it’s not just chinese, it’s people from every nation and tongue, young and old. They are all praising the Lord together with one loud voice, hands raised up high above their heads and running toward the light. Not one person standing idle. Not one person is watching from the sideline. ALL are together in the street and the light and glory of God is drawing everyone towards it. Most of the time when I see this it is when we are singing Days of Elijah "Behold He comes riding on the clouds,Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee, And out of Zion's hill salvation comes."
ONE DAY, by Matisyahu
Sometimes I lay under the moon
And I thank God I'm breathin'
Then I pray don't take me soon
'Cause I am here for a reason
Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because
All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play, one day
It's not about win or lose 'cause we all lose
When they feed on the souls of the innocent blood
Drenched pavement keep on movin'
Though the waters stay ragin'
And in this life you may lose your way
It might drive you crazy
But don't let it phase you, no way
Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because
All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play, one day
One day this all will change
Treat people the same
Stop with the violence down with the hate
One day we'll all be free and proud
To be under the same sun
Singing songs of freedom like
It makes me think back to our first trip to Philly a few years ago when I over heard a little black girl make a comment about a barbie doll she was looking at to her mother/grandmother. She said the doll was pretty and her mother snapped back, ‘no she aint- she aint pretty’ ‘Why not?’ the little girl asked, confused.. ‘because she’s.. WHITE’ whispered the grandmother. Hearing those words stung- not because I am white and felt insulted, no they stung because that little girl was learning right then that there is a hostile difference between blacks and whites and that white people are not to be liked. I understand where the woman was coming from.. but why not turn it around? Why not say something like ‘yea she’s pretty, but I think you are beautiful..’ Build up our children. Teach them to love themselves and others. To appreciate the beauty in all of God’s people.
There’s a 21 year old Latino girl that Chris works with who, when finding out Chris is married to a white woman, said that she doesn’t like that. She doesn’t think white people and black people (or any race for that matter) should mix. She doesn’t think it’s right. 'That’s just the way I was brought up', she said.
That’s just the way she was brought up. Brought up. BROUGHT UP.
There has to be a common thread here. I’m not talking about sin in the world, though I know that that is much of it, if not all. But I am talking about the fact that this is a legacy we are leaving for our children, and our children’s children and so on. It has to stop with US. Our children’s generation are still being taught that hatred is ok. That race and skin color and cultures and sexual orientation for that matter, are things to be hated. Beat. Run over with a truck. Killed. That some people are better than other people because of their skin color.
I want to hear love taught. I want the hatred and prejudice and racism to be shattered and for love, GOD’s true love- not the love that people falsely use as a means to justify their hate- to grow and multiply in it’s place.
Over the past six years I have lived, worked and worshiped in an environment that is culturally and racially mixed. At my job at one school I was the minority. Most of the other white people, and there were few, were Polish, Italian or Russian. Not just plain-jane-generations of my family have lived in this country- white. And while at times it was uncomfortable, I would rather have that than be in a place where everyone is white. Everyone is just like me. Baked Potatoes. I’m not saying that everything is perfect, there are still prejudices etc.. but I would just rather be among diversity instead of uniformity. Heaven is going to be diverse people! ALL peoples ALL nations will be there worshiping ONE GOD. How beautiful that will be!! Lord change the hearts of this generation! Give us a love for each other, for each person, for all your creation.
Let the words of the sunday school song run true in our hearts- ‘red and yellow black and white, they are precious in His sight’- they are precious in our sight!
This is something I wonder about as we prepare to move back to Minneapolis. Don’t get me wrong, I know Minneapolis is diverse- but it’s not like NY. (is any place really?) I want to be in a community where there are people that look different that I do. I want to find a church that is diverse, that reflects the community is is located in. I want my son to grow up not only knowing that he is treasured but to treasure those around him. This starts with us, with Chris and myself, and by grace of God. God change the hearts of this generation.
I have often had this vision that, if I were a better artist I would attempt to put on paper but because I am not I feel like it wouldn’t do it justice. It’s of 8th avenue looking towards the Verrazano Bridge and there is a great, all encompassing light shining in the distance so that you can’t see anything past the horizon of the street and the frame of the buildings on either side. It’s just light. And people are running into the avenue from the streets on either side so that the avenue is filled with people lifting their hands and eyes toward the light and running in that direction as if the avenue has become a pathway to the center of the light. But it’s not just chinese, it’s people from every nation and tongue, young and old. They are all praising the Lord together with one loud voice, hands raised up high above their heads and running toward the light. Not one person standing idle. Not one person is watching from the sideline. ALL are together in the street and the light and glory of God is drawing everyone towards it. Most of the time when I see this it is when we are singing Days of Elijah "Behold He comes riding on the clouds,Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee, And out of Zion's hill salvation comes."
ONE DAY, by Matisyahu
Sometimes I lay under the moon
And I thank God I'm breathin'
Then I pray don't take me soon
'Cause I am here for a reason
Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because
All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play, one day
It's not about win or lose 'cause we all lose
When they feed on the souls of the innocent blood
Drenched pavement keep on movin'
Though the waters stay ragin'
And in this life you may lose your way
It might drive you crazy
But don't let it phase you, no way
Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because
All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play, one day
One day this all will change
Treat people the same
Stop with the violence down with the hate
One day we'll all be free and proud
To be under the same sun
Singing songs of freedom like
Sunday, August 7, 2011
LOVING this song right now.
Revelation Song, By Kari Jobe
Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to him who sits on
Heaven's mercy seat
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
to You the only wise King
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of your name
Jesus your name is power
Breath, and living water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing
Praise to the King of Kings
You are my everything
And I will adore You
Thursday, August 4, 2011
A Bowl of Cherries
Last week a friend of mine gave me a bag of cherries. A sweet gift but I don't really like eating cherries by themselves. I do like cherries IN things so I decided to make New York style Cheesecake with a cherry topping. Any excuse to make, and eat, cheesecake right?
Ohmygoodness. So good.
This is the best cheesecake I have ever made. To be honest, I made it so I could use the cherries, but it really didn't need them. It was perfect all by it's self. High and thick just like a NY cheesecake is supposed to be. Perhaps it would have been better if I had used a darker/sour cherry or even blueberries or raspberries instead. Or maybe I just prefer my cheesecake plain. Simple. And gloriously delicious.
Ohmygoodness. So good.
This is the best cheesecake I have ever made. To be honest, I made it so I could use the cherries, but it really didn't need them. It was perfect all by it's self. High and thick just like a NY cheesecake is supposed to be. Perhaps it would have been better if I had used a darker/sour cherry or even blueberries or raspberries instead. Or maybe I just prefer my cheesecake plain. Simple. And gloriously delicious.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Things that were good last week.. in pictures
* Getting together with old friends, especially those who live in Norway!!!
* A jump-house at a birthday party!
*Painting in the backyard
*Worship music being played on the platform while waiting for a train
*Breakfast at Cafeteria with JR
* Fireworks at Coney Island
* Peaches!
* Helene on Piano
* An impromptu frozen yogurt date with Ashley
*A job offer for Chris!!!
*Giving a bible to a little girl at church who was so excited to learn how to look up the memory verse she asked if she could keep it. Praise Jesus!
*Charles participating in his first VBS/BUMP
*Margaret and Anthony here
* A jump-house at a birthday party!
*Painting in the backyard
*Worship music being played on the platform while waiting for a train
*Breakfast at Cafeteria with JR
* Fireworks at Coney Island
* Peaches!
* Helene on Piano
* An impromptu frozen yogurt date with Ashley
*A job offer for Chris!!!
*Giving a bible to a little girl at church who was so excited to learn how to look up the memory verse she asked if she could keep it. Praise Jesus!
*Charles participating in his first VBS/BUMP
*Margaret and Anthony here
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