On filing

So last night I stayed up most of the night filing paper work for the job I work at the Rosedale Ridge apartments in Kansas City, Kansas. It was a good thing to do and I am pretty excited that after today and maybe a bit of next week my files should be in much more of a working order.

It's so interesting because I have known I have been super busy and working really hard, but it is very incredible to see how many lives I have had the opportunity to be a part of over the past year. Truly, I feel blessed by these folks presence in my life. And, truth be told, I am a bit overwhelmed by numbers of it all. It's like I get paid to be in relationship with folks and to listen to their stories and their days. Working in an area where concentrated poverty is rampant.... there are a lot of tough stories and this takes a toll on my soul. But, in the midst of the sadness, brokenness and such... there is hope. There always is. Today, after staying up way to late working on files, I sure don't feel as hopeful but I know there is.. just has to be. Something about faith being believing in what we can not see seems to ring true in my ears.

Not sure how God is at work here in Rosedale but I am hoping I continue to have eyes to see on all days and pray I have the strength to believe on the days I have no sight or feeling. Audrey and I were talking this last weekend about Mother Teresa, about her days of doubt and about her faithfulness. It is my hope to continue to become this sort of person, the faithful kind. The kind that keeps doing what is right even when my passion dies. The kind of person who hopes fervently, prays continually and believes in new life.

Outside as I type there is a pretty garden-the kids and I planted it here at Rosedale. It was a meaningful project and continues to bring life and joy to these folks (I am reminded of Mother Teresa "We can not do great things, only small things with great love"). I planted and helped organize the garden with great love. One of the young men said the other day, "That garden is the prettiest thing around here". And it made my heart happy, much happier than when I arrived on site today and my door said, "bitch". Not sure who was unhappy with me and decided to scrape that into my door, but I know they are just angry at something or someone, probably not me. Maybe I'll go pick a flower and tape it to the door to bring hope to it ;) The door probably got it's feelings hurt too, being all scraped up like that and stuff...

Anyways, I digress. Just couldn't possibly return another e-mail or write another contact sheet until I got these words out. You know how it is.. you writer folks...