Walking around Napa

Wonderful week starting out and ending in Napa ~ many wonderful chats with friend and co-facilitator Christine last weekend.
I'm grateful for the beauty of the creation - the mountains, valleys, rivers and vineyards were beautiful and refreshing to see, as were the conversations about the Creator and how to best follow His plan.

The end of the week included great times catching up with colleagues from around the globe. It's always enlightening to hear from peers in other cities, countries or continents about their struggles and successes, humbling to be included in a group of such clever and accomplished people.

Walking with the Wise

Proverbs 13:20 says "He who walks with the wise grows wise"

I was thrilled this summer to be walking alongside those who were also walking with God.

These faithful men and women purposed to honor God and I'm grateful for the opportunities to serve alongside them.

Here are a handful of friends who have blogged about their adventures - and if you are reading this and were in China - please do share with me your blog address!

http://travelwithapurpose.blogspot.com/

http://iwillgochina.blogspot.com/

http://geofftravels.blogspot.com/

http://karen-overseas.blogspot.com/

Pasta & People

The other night I was re-heating pasta. Pretty glamorous, I know. I'd heard that it's best to re-heat pasta by setting it in hot water, then draining it out, and repeating. As I was straining the water from the bowl with my hands (again, glamorous) I found myself successful! I normally lose a good bit of the pasta with the water down the drain. But this time I didn't! And I realized it was because I was focused on the pasta - I was supporting the pasta and it had my focus. The water, while I waited, had run off.

I began thinking about people in my life. From time to time I think about a co-worker, friend, grocery store worker (once in a while I do), and think "It's so clear to me their issue is 'x'..." If I go about trying to free them from 'x' and focusing on the problem I can lose the person in the process. If I can support the person, perhaps their issue with 'x' will be able to be dealt with - seemingly simply running off. And the person - is there in tact. And ready to mix it up with some pesto!

This is not to say that everything is okay. Often a timely loving word is the only right answer. But it's the focus that is important, the most important thing is that person and that person's walk with God. Problems come and go but souls are eternal.

Walking around NYU

My new apartment is remarkably close to NYU. One morning my walk to work brought me this scene: "Watch the traffic! Whatch the traffic!!" The petite man yelled as the university students crossed. He ushered the cab through the intersection and stood back to look around. "Wait! " He stopped students and a professor behind him to check for cars, then let them cross. But the unusual thing was this: the "crossing guard" was self-appointed, and looked like a resident of the park. That's right, the homeless man is yelling at the cabbie and the startled freshmen. Just one example of how the city -and NYU- is special.

I feel like I can say this because I also happen to be an alum of NYU. Before applying, I spoke with a student there who wisely said, "It isn't like going to college; it's like living in the city and going to classes". This is in fact true. If you want to go to a college and have the typical college experience (football team anyone?), NYU is not the place. It's centered around Washington Square Park - a lovely city park to be sure... But it isn't exactly the college stadium in the movies. For all it's not, the thing I loved best about studying theatre in NY is that the professors are in the business, performing on Broadway or working in TV/ Film the same week they are showing up to teach. Their knowledge base is current and for the industry, it's vital.

And, of course, there are those special moments when a homeless man feels a sudden responsibility to orchestrate vehicular and foot traffic.

I heart NY.

Walking back to Work

After eleven weeks, I went back to work. It had been a "wouldn't-trade-it-for-the-world" summer sabbatical. And it was time to go back to the company that (gratefully) allowed me the opportunity.

Now, this wasn't as difficult as you may guess - I genuinely like my job and my colleagues. And the new apartment is about a twenty minute walk away, the weather was beautiful, and I was looking forward to seeing friendly familiar faces... laughing because of the prank they'd been planning.

I knew something was in the works and those I spoke with during my break were perfectly silent. No one leaked - they would make a pretty good set of spies. The prank itself was pretty good too - no detail was overlooked.

An email was sent in the morning to our larger team...

"So here are some photos of what happened to Laura's desk while she was gone. It shrunk!!!"

The "Creating of" my new desk

First day back

It was a fun first day - at my new improved desk all day long! and with many visitors coming to see what had happened.

Windows of Heaven

George Mueller (circa 1840) wanted to show God's glory by only praying about financial and material needs for the orphanage he ran.

I (circa 2009) was inspired by good ole George. So instead of prayer letters to raise support for the short-term missions trip to Beijing, I prayed that God would somehow provide. Lo and behold, in the process of buying the apartment in June, I met with an accountant who found an error on my taxes - in my favor. How cool is that?!?! But it's not the end of the story....

There's a verse in Malachi (3:10) that says "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."

I should say here that I learned this verse early in my Christian life and have consistently given financially to my local church and when there is extra to local and overseas organizations. Since that time, I've never been in want and God is so creative to provide. Back to the story, though...

When I arrived back to NY and got the check in the mail from NY State, I was blown away! I shared the story about God's provision at our church's praise time, but got the numbers wrong. The refund was for $5026 -- I thought that was $26 more than what my need was. But when I double checked the numbers, I found that my exepenses were higher than I thought. The check was $317 short. Not quite what I thought, but a great praise all the same.

So when I checked the mail two days later and found something from the Federal government, I was surprised. I was more surprised that it was a refund check for Federal taxes! And even more surprised than that to see that it was for WELL over $317. More like over $12,000.

I'm blown away. He wasn't kidding about those windows.

...and we're back!

Paris, Dublin, and now home in New York city... it's been a great week!

There were many things that were wonderful ~ to name just a few: cafe au lait, chocolat croissant, Jardin des Tuileries, lunch with Marie, Gallerie Lafayette, glass of chilled Sancerre on a warm night, Shakespeare & Co, answered prayer for lost keys, sipping wine in the back garden, lovely weather for a picnic at Stephen's Green, and Jen Paul & Grace.

Enjoying the balmy New York August weather from the lovely new apartment, catching up a bit on email and staring down the stacks of boxes in the bedroom. I hope to win the stare down ... or unpack them this week.