This is my stinkin' cute nephew, William. He thinks he is a real tough guy. Seriously, look at that face! Just a little something to put a laugh in your day.
thanks rain, for being my heart thanks carly, for sharing ice cream with me thanks micah, for calling me crafty thanks coral elsa and sarah, for the beauty that is being with you three thanks oh hello's for "hello my old heart" thanks Doc, for putting things into perspective thanks mornings, for being so quiet and so restful thanks kindred, for knowing me better than most people thanks dad, for the really special message that was so "you" thanks thin point sharpie, for making me feel like a real artist thanks haley and kaylin, for going on little trips with me thanks justin, for loving me despite my ugly heart thanks syd and holly and monica, for showing me how to be brave thanks cozy cottage, for being home to me thanks memories, for being so sweet thanks bananas, for being the best darn food out there thanks amy/meg, for loving me always thanks special window in schofield, for bringing me peace thanks adam, for sitting by the window with me and sharing your chocolate thanks lil beckster, for your honesty, and for showing me what it looks like to run after Jesus. beautiful. thanks God, for showing yourself through the people around me
thanks God, for all of these things. you are the potter. we are the clay.
leading worship with these 3 wonderful souls ^ Sarah's special bench in the sunshine waking up to hysterical laughter Dana and Molly and how they listen cooking dinner with some special people Jephte&Jeba&Abraham&Tolu&Bat 11 hour car rides Belva's heart hearing God's names- breath, quietness, eternal so much time with the one and only beautiful Ariel Yang stories of resilience bumpin' with Justin stories that break my heart and God's too the hills of South Dakota Adam and Ariel teaching me guitar learning about God's heart for justice through Amos Ryan's heart God as a Father laughter with Jenna and how it never stops Atta. Atta. Atta. Sarah, her wisdom, her heart YoungLife and those precious souls Latan and Jordan watching the locals play basketball watching Justin ref basketball (ha) watching Luke and Adam play basketball (ha ha) community defining guilt, defining shame Bette's Kitchen testimonies of heartbreak Adam's "you mist!" the words, "my God." the results of car boredom and Jenna being transformed by the mistakes of others homemade egg shakers and discovered triangles realizing the depths of God's love for his people learning to speak less and love quicker so much beauty. so much life. so much of my God.
This past week, I had the opportunity to go with 15 others from my school to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, SD. The Lakota people who inhabit Pine Ridge radiate beauty and life. But they are stuck in some of the nation's worst poverty, with 85-90% unemployment, and a high case of alcoholism. But God is there too, in their midst. I can feel it, within the hearts of the people that live there.
Throughout the week, I think a big thing that me and my friends learned was that we were not there to make a gigantic impact. We did not come to turn the tables, bring righteousness to the poverty, and change the lives of the people there. As my good friend Luke said, "they've been making it this long without us." We were there to serve, to do whatever small help we could, in the name of Jesus. I'd say it's safe to say that the people of Pine Ridge taught us more than we taught them. The Lakota people taught me resilience, beauty, and how to cling to my God in the best way.
We returned home from Pine Ridge on Friday, and since then, each morning I wake up and feel a little sense of sadness, just a reminder that I'm not in Pine Ridge anymore, and that I'm back to the old grind. Because life there is so much simpler-- it has to be. What's funny, and something I seem to keep forgetting, is that I really didn't want to go at the beginning. But my good friend Justin has a way of convincing people to do things outside of their comfort zones, and it sure did work. Now I can't imagine not having gone, and I wish I had never left. But I think what God has been showing me through that is that he has me where he needs me.
He brought me to Pine Ridge with purpose, and he brought me back here with purpose. So my prayer is for God to show me my purpose each day. To not forget the Lakota people, but rather remember who they are and how they live their lives. Because why should location matter?
God is God, no matter where I am.
also- we took a picture by a giant cow. oh, my heart. ⤴
disclaimer: this is not even half of all of my musings about Pine Ridge, so you can expect more. I apologize for any jumbled thoughts or things that don't make sense... I'm still processing through the week. thanks friends!
this song is a beauty (my favorite is the violin.) may your day be just as beautiful, and full of wonder. great news- the air is COOL outside! Not cold, not hot, but cool, my favorite weather. sorry for the lack of updates lately, i'll get back in the swing of things soon enough! for now, listen to this.