Truly Amazing!

I haven't made it to Yale yet, but I'm on my way! They've sent me a list of things to do from Memphis: take care of registration, create a bio to put in some incoming student file, pick classes, fill out health forms, etc. It's cool to be able to handle business from home. Really cool.

I'm no longer working at Soulsville and I've used the last 4 weeks to travel and be at ease. It's the first time since I was 13 years old that I have not had a job/volunteer placement for this length of time. A week....maybe. 6 weeks...unheardof! It is amazing though. I never cease to be amazed by all that God is doing in my life.

Lastly, I would like to use this medium to work through some thoughts that I have about going to Yale. Of the people who ask me about it, they ask if I'm excited for it. I am to some extent, but I am likewise ready to work. I don't want to sound unexcited so hear me out. In the real world, everyone expects you to have a product or the skills to figure things out. They don't really want to do any training...that's been my experience in church, work, and even volunteerism. I'm going back to school because I am a nerd and love to study things about God and the human response to God and because I am ready to work on some of the products that people expect you to have. If you are passionate about the environment, people expect you to have a real opinion about global warming, farmers markets or the BP oil spill in the gulf. If you say that you fight for justice, people expect you to be aware of missions in the US as well as Africa or South America, genocide, fratricide, and not-so-civil wars. And personally, although I volunteer at soup kitchens because I feel a call to minister to those people, I know that a life poverty and struggle though rewarding if sought out as a call from God, is not a life that most people would ever want to live. I want to contribute more to society than just feeding a few people a meal. I want to put some people in houses, get them jobs, help them get back in school, and otherwise love them to a more fully lived life that is possible in the United States. So, school this time around isn't about excitement, thought I plan to participate in some exciting projects and events. This time, it is about ministry and becoming someone with ability, vision, capability, execution, and collaborative talents to have things happen in the kingdom of God.

By God's truly amazing grace, this too shall come to pass.