One the last day of summer...

and the eve of a full moon! There's nothing like a farmers market, fresh tomatoes and a good beer to relax a person into their new home. It is so nice to breathe deeply here, and feel this place becoming more like home every day. Last night I went to an interfaith justice organization, ISAAC (who knows what it stands for!), and was overwhelmed/ inspired by all the amazing people working for change in this city- housing funding for the homeless, early childhood education stuff, and more... After I left the church where me met, I hopped on my bike and soon was racing the incoming storm. Leaves were flying at my face and wind pushed me from all directions. Lightning and thunder were nearing in... only a few more blocks to go...,but the sky opened and the rain poured and I arrived home grateful from dry clothes to put on.
There is nothing like a good storm to make you feel alive! "The time is now!" kinda feeling.
This ministry thing is quite overwhelming and also very exciting for the same reasons. The reasons are that everything is completely new. From facilitating the staff relations (there are three of us), to trying to figure out the answering machine to the church office to re-record the greeting, to how to get to know the congregation (do I invite people into my home, or maintain a more private approach?) There is also the public figure aspect. Again, totally exciting and totally scary all at the same time. After the meeting with area ministers last night, and watching these powerful community organizers speak so eloquently and inspirationally, the executive director and the community organizer came up to me right after the meeting to welcome me in and see if I wanted to have coffee!??! Me?? I'm just... you know... I don't know what I'm doing yet!!!
So, I am still (perhaps you can tell) getting used to the idea of being a public representative of society's morals.

Aside from ministry, I have discovered that Kalamazoo is really a "country-city." I call it that because, to my sadness, everything shuts down on Sunday. That's just when I'm ready to let loose and party! There's also an intact ecosystem in my backyard. Zele (my cat) has communed with the raccoons, and has caught two mice. I went for a bike ride on Monday and after twenty minutes I was biking besides farms with cows. Moooo. People are really friendly here- some charming young women selling veggies at the farmer's market tonight invited me to their bi-monthly potluck at their house after only a few moments of conversation. I can walk around my neighborhood listening to the crickets at night and feel completely safe.
Ah.... So, life is overwhelming and good right now. Good night!