Embracing A New Community

Who needs to go on a vacation when you can enjoy FREE concerts, movies, and fun events in Long Beach? My friend introduced me to this flyer from the parks and recreation guide which has an array of events for all ages!!

I am really excited to get to know my new community.

I think in Christian communities, we often throw out the term "community" in the context of Christian fellowship as painted in the Scriptures. But somehow this doesn't always translate when we think about the neighborhoods we live in.

We separate ourselves from our neighbors by the fences we build, both physically and relationally. This especially happens in urban communities mostly because conditions are far from ideal. The question of safety and lack of trust are relevant concerns. However, how should we as Christians respond differently to our urban neighbors to be salt and light in the darkness that pervades us?

The enemy of stepping over our man-made fences is so often fear. Fear of what is different. Fear of how they might respond towards us. Will they accept us? Will they take advantage of us? Will they believe that our compassion and desire for friendship are genuine?

Nonetheless, if our love is full of fear, people can quickly see through the facade.

I remember almost four years ago as I was still transitioning to Southern California and was still experiencing some culture shock, my pastor challenged me: "In order to be a minister in the city, you have to love the city." At that point, I knew I had a long way to go in order to get to a place where I could say that I loved California, much less Long Beach. But now, four years later, I can say that I have grown to love this place. It is not perfect, but God is here and His work is so evident all around me.

He is giving me a new heart for my Long Beach neighbors and I am excited to embrace all that this community has to teach me. I am so grateful that God has the power to change hearts.

Food Shopping on a Budget

One of the many adjustments I have had to make is figuring out where to do my food shopping. Ralph's? Trader Joe's? Fresh and Easy? Vons? Food for Less? Costco? The options can be overwhelming. I have done plenty of food shopping in my lifetime, but very few times have I had to really watch what I'm putting in my grocery cart.

This past weekend, I bought under 20 items (mostly fruits and vegetables) and it almost rang up to $50.00! I couldn't believe it. I even brought a calculator and was adding it all up as I went, and still with just a handheld basket full of stuff, I burned a hole in my wallet. I could drive to San Diego and back with that money!

I walked out realizing that I needed some new strategies if I was going to be successful at the grocery store. And that means that I might have to give up some conveniences that I've always had the luxury of enjoying. The process of cutting up coupons, going to numerous stores to shop for the best deals, planning meals ahead, and saying no to brand name items are steps that I am learning to take (even though I am dragging my feet a little bit at the thought of it).

I'm realizing in this process how lazy I can be and impatient. I recognize that this is a part of my middle class privilege that I have always had the choice or option to eat what I wanted when I wanted it. But, for the poor, they don't have this luxury. They are grateful just to get a meal. It is really humbling to encounter my own ungratefulness and impatience when it comes to living with limitations and restraints. These are many of the conveniences that I am slowly repenting of and asking the Lord to teach me how to be a better steward of my resources... no matter how great or how small.

I have a lot to learn.

For those who are veterans in the area of a food shopping on a budget, I would love your ideas and suggestions...

Taking It All In

It's officially been one week since I became a resident of Long Beach. I've already received some mail and have made a few wrong turns to get places. Going for walks, joining in on play time, and sharing meals with the family I am living with has become a regular part of my routine. Runs in the neighborhood have been a fun way to become more familiar with this new place I call home. The weather is at least 10 degrees cooler here. And I love the ability to spontaneously hang out with good friends who are now only minutes away. The gifts of this new transition have been endless.

"Total Immersion" seems to encapsulate this season very well. Not only have I made the obvious switch from suburban to urban (which the neighborhood I am temporarily living in is far from the hood), but I have been completely immersed into the life of this family, immersed into church ministry and relationships more fully, and immersed into an intense season of growing and learning.

One temptation I have already run into this week is how easy it is to fill up the schedule with stuff just for the sake of feeling some sense of productivity and meaning. Up until last week, I was moving a million miles a minute. This week, I've downshifted from 60 to 0 in a matter of days, and the abruptness of that transition was a little disorienting at first. I fought it by making to-do lists and coffee dates for each day. But as I was running in the neighborhood a few days ago, I heard the Lord speak these words to me: "Slow down and take it in. I don't want you to miss what I have for you." As my out-of-breath lungs struggled to slow down, I found the nearest bench and just sat there. To be given permission by the Lord to just slow down and rest felt like such a sweet gift. I don't have to work hard to make things happen in my life. But rather He is just asking me to trust Him and to sit at His feet and listen. Or at least that's a good place to start.

I'm learning to be okay with simple. To be okay with slow. I don't have to have it all figured out just yet.

I just need to be - here - now.

Sweet Chloe

Marcus, a.k.a. Mr. Smiles

My New Crib

As of Saturday, June 17th, I made the big move from the concrete jungle of La Mirada to the family friendly world of Bixby Knolls in Long Beach where I am living with a beautiful family from my church. They so graciously are letting me stay with them as I am in transition and looking for a job. In the meantime, I get to enjoy simple pleasures like runs in the neighborhood, waking up to 3 lovely children (Isaac, Chloe, and Marcus), and living only minutes away from those I consider my California family.

World, meet my new crib.

a huge closet packed to the brim.

 a huge window and keyboard on loan.

fresh flowers and welcome pictures from the kiddos as wall art.

more to come...