Blessed are the Peacemakers

Oh life. Its been too long since I've posted! (Sorry) Things sometimes just take a turn and start rolling away. The snowball effect. I got a new job!!!! The MCA a.k.a. The Museum of Contemporary Art here in Chicago hired me on as freelance preparator. So exciting especially since I did installation work while I was studying at the Art Institute. One of the few art jobs I was hoping to get post-college! Yay. I do work full time now so feeling like a grown up ;) Other than that BIG NEWS we have continued to settle into our house, grow into the relationships we have established and learned how to love a little better each day. A few weeks ago, labor day weekend, Hannah's parents came to visit from Portland which was so amazing! It was a blessing to have them here. We had a big bbq that weekend & got a chance to celebrate Hannahs bday together. Tomorrow morning we are bidding our housemate Lauren farewell for a few weeks while she goes to Colombia with CPT a.k.a. Christian Peacemakers Team. We will miss her while she is away, especially since she is SO great with the kids, but luckily she will return soon and hopefully bring back wonderful stories to share! Prayers for safe journeys is appreciated. Hannah, myself & Lauren at our backyard BBQ Tonight I also got to have a long time friend, old roommate, and frankly, my soul sister over for dinner. The lovely D$, Danielle. She was in India for 6 months, and you know how much I love India. While she was gone a lot of these transitions that some of you know about have happened. Finishing college, moving, transitions of church community, car breaking down, job hunt, & now fully employed. What a whirlwind non the less and she has experienced it mostly via email or Skype. It was such a blessing to have her at the house tonight to experience a glimpse into our little community life, share a meal, meet some of the kids, & the housemate she hadnt met. We made a delicious vegan dinner, after all she is my cooking partner!

This was such a lovely, intimate reconnection after months apart. Also a bit of quality down time after the big dinner party we had up here last night for the building. Javon, the brother downstairs left today to move back to Champaign, IL after some neighborhood kids jumped him last week (not the first time) and busted his lips open as well as his front teeth out. Yes, he is ok after stitches & some dental work but we are very sad to see him go, especially since he was away all summer so those kids wouldnt mess with him. Its crazy to think that as a sophomore in Highschool you'd have to deal with that. Last night was a great send off though! Despite the irony, Hannah made lots of Fried Chicken for everyone (Thanks!) as well as sweet potatoes, corn, & salad. It was so lovely to have both of the other families in the building over to show our love. What a beautiful experience to come together even around a minor tragedy, its sad to think that in that small way violence & bullying won but nothing can overcome the power of Love. And that is what we are committed to here. Hannah trying her hand at fried chicken

Javon & Nevaeh holding hands.

The book we made for Javon (Thanks to Lauren for being so creative!)

Beautiful family. Sierra &Nevaeh, MaKayla, Javon, Minesha, & Pam

Also, Nevaeh is doing well!! The last post I put up was the news we received of her being born & in the hospital. She is healthy, went to the doctor yesterday, & growing so great. We love her so much. I feel like she is in my family, well she kind of is now. Sierra is doing well too! Starting back to school soon. Thank God for health & happiness. We have a lot to be thankful for in this building. Garden Update: With the seasons changing here there is a shift in produce. Yesterday I picked my first cantaloupe! And more cucumbers of course, purple & white eggplant, as well as some swiss chard & tomatoes. Yum! I'm going to miss this fresh food from the garden now that fall is in our midst (& winter isnt far off... shhhh)