Two Weeks Notice

One debt almost repaid, another large debt about to tumble into existence. Here we come, Atlanta! Flying in on the the 16th, starting February 17th, 2007. The power of prayer...

Today I went to a new church - Renaissance. They had a modern worship band (many kids my age - awesome!), and a good vibe. Not too agressive, not too passive. The pastor, Rich Teeter, gave a "message" - not a sermon(?) - on 1 Corinthians 9:26... about running the race of life with purpose. He tended to interrupt himself often, which made me giggle. So many people do not have purpose or vision to their lives. I certainly don't know my purpose ten years down the road, but I do know that I am supposed to do this AT (to learn whatever it is am I to learn), and to go to school. Self-aware.

I was singing some of the songs in chuch today and I realized for a moment how much I am more myself from this year. I have lost a lot of insecurities and I feel very comfortbale with who I am. I really feel relaxed, my opinions and thoughts come from real creativity and not some forced thought process that exhausts me beyond belief.

My faith feels so strong. Deeper than ever... I have grown in what it means to be a human, an adult, and my faith was triggered today. I believe I'm developing the spiritual muscle (to use Mr. Becker's words) I was hoping for - I felt like I was bursting with the presence of Christ, bursting with his unimaginable love and redemption. My best friend, just chilling with me... Jesus knows me so well. I spent some time in the Library this week reading about Mother Theresa, who called everyone Jesus in a distressing disguise... I'd love to share some her thoughts with you all.

She writes, "Never let any pain or sorrow make you forget the joy of Christ risen." No matter what we go through, we will always know that Jesus is there, at the end, rising from the dead. If I die, I will rise. Nothing is so bad... death? Pain? to make you forget the true joy of this life - the joy of redemption. ANd Mother T. has seen some awful things. One of the Superbowl coaches (learned this from Rich's message) had a son that died in 2005. One of his friends said to him - would you rather him be on Earth than in Heaven?" Something beautiful to think about.

Sarah Thomas and I discussed life and death at Macaroni Grill the other night. How much I love her!! We can both die (not to be morbid) knowing that we lived so well. What a beautiful friendship. Mother Theresa talked about the core of love at every faith. She did this to appeal to peace, to refrain many in power from abusing violence to solve problems. Her words did not make her a pluralist - her words were the Spirit, words of peace that have truly known Christ on the cross. She said, "Suffering is a gift." The great nun believed that to suffer was to have received a gift from God, a gift that could truly be reconciled with her ideas of the cosmos. To suffer is a gift that allows us to understand other human beings more beautifully - "don't waste it!" she says. By suffering we know pain, and we know how important is to try and relieve or even just lighten the sufferings of others. My mind wanders back to the lepers I saw in Nepal, or the disabled I saw today at Runnell's hospital while dropping off flowers with Mom. How crucial it is to love one another! to let eachother know that we see the light within them. I am reminded of a great Chris Rice song:

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold,
There is a Spirit, who brings a fire,
Ignites the candle and makes his home.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness,
Seek out the helpless, the tired and worn,
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle - Go light your world.

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried
To light his own candle some other way.
See now your sister - she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame.

Carry your candle, run to the darkness,
Seek out the helpless, the tired and worn,
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle - Go light your world.

Everyday at Winberies, Miss Denise comes in for one (or two!) Irish coffee. She lives in the home down the street for elderly folks, is about a 75 year old Afro-American who loves to talk it up with the servers. How long I wonder must I wait for some things? We all wonder this often. Miss Denise, from AME Zion (Not CME or AME I am often reminded), speaks of the Israelites. In exile for many years! For generations ! Surely I can wait. Surely the power of prayer will deliver those broken or without hope whom I love. Just give it time and love, Alice. Give it up to the creator.

My trail name, by the way, is Alleycat. Sometimes it has a "the", sometimes it don't. I've been reading the trail journals of two current thru-hikers named Mr. Happy and Zero. They began in Jan and seem to be moving along nicely. How crazy to think that I will be out there soon! I can't wait! Please pray for my body, that it will grow in strength, and that it should be protected from harm. Please pray for strength of mind and strength of spirit, that I should grow in my love of the Lord, and find peace and purpose in his awe-some creation.

Two weeks notice - check. Ticket - check. Gear - check. Friends - check. Family - on board. God? - triple check. Me - deep breath. Let's do this.

La heime!

Alleycat