Just an average day...

The air is chilly and damp, a typical Seattle day, as I walk to work. It is the walk I take each day, passing the woman with six cats, the homeless teenagers camped in the park, and the man living in a brown and white van parked on the street. I am alone with my thoughts and the simple sounds of nature in the city I love.

I have grown to appreciate these five blocks from my bus stop to the college where I work. I enjoy the quiet of the morning, with the mist all around. It gives me a chance to think, typically about the book I have been reading on the bus. Lately I have been reading a series of books by Brian McLaren that has slowly begun to change the way I look at the world, myself, and my faith. As I explore the pages of "A New Kind of Christian" and "The Story we Find Ourselves in" I am discovering a new vision for my life. I can't quite explain the change, except to know that God is teaching me about His plan of redemption, not just for individuals, but for our world as a whole. For so long I have focused on defending my faith and producing an answer for any question about the Bible that I have missed the life of abundance and joy that Jesus wishes for everyone. For the first time in my life, I am comfortable not knowing all the answers. My story of faith, hope, and love is so intertwined with God's ultimate story to reconcile all of us to himself, that I can't help but feel excitement at the work He is doing in the world.

One of the changes that I have noticed is that I know longer feel the need to correct everyone who is not living exactly the way that I think they should. By accepting and loving all of the unique people that are in my life, God has allowed me to share some amazing conversations with co-workers that would not happen if I had approached these people with condemnation. I am still learning, but I believe that mercy always triumphs over judgment! Pray that this theme continues to permeate my life.

Since I haven't blogged for a while, you are probably wondering what I am up to here in Seattle:) Basically, I have been working a lot. I still love my job at Cornish and am enjoying getting to know the students and staff there. Artists are always unique and the music and lives of our students never cease to amaze me. There is so much talent at Cornish and I know I am meeting some of the great musicians of the next generation. My days consist of scheduling, advising students about their class schedules, making programs and posters for events, meeting the needs of guest artists that come to visit, supervising work study students, planning concerts, and much, much more. I love the busyness and enjoy feeling like my work is making a difference to a great institution.

I attend a class with Jason every know and then and I am confident that MHGS is the perfect school for him. The professors speak with such passion and joy and I know that Jason resonates with the teaching he is receiving. Sitting in class, knowing that I don't have to write any papers or read anything that I don't have to, is so fun:) It is refreshing just to enjoy the lectures. I wish I could go more often, but my work keeps me plenty busy.

Other than work, my time is filled with relationships. I have made friends with a wonderful group of women and we meet every Monday night to do a bit of Bible study and pray together. The treasure I have found in these friendships cannot be expressed in words. God has been so good to us here. I do miss our friends in Sioux Falls and feel some sadness thinking about that life that now feels so long ago. However, I never doubt that this is the place we were meant to be at this time and continue to pray that God uses us to engage the culture around us and challenge those we encounter to embrace the best way of living: the way of Jesus Christ. It is by his grace and for his glory that I live and learn to love. I guess when you are a follower of Christ, no day is just an average one.