Same Kind of Different As Me

After 8 years of ongoing work, I finished my masters degree last spring and spent the past year recovering from all the required reading I endured. I guess that explains why this Reading Specialist has had so much difficulty reading these days. I have at least 5 or 6 books I started, and then abandoned.

I used to read voraciously, often staying up until late into the night and telling myself, "just one more page" until my eyes were heavy, my curiosity was satisfied, and the book was finished. That's not the case these days.

I heard Ron Hall and Denver Moore speak last year and my curiosity was piqued. I got their book but didn't start reading it right away. It sat around for months like all the other books I have tried to read and couldn't finish. Once I did finally pick it up, it was the first book I have read from cover to cover for a very long time. I was pulled deeply into the story of these two men, brought together through unique circumstances. By the last few chapters, the tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't put the book down.

If you want to read it, I've got a copy of it and am willing to share. It tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a homeless man and an art dealer, brought together by an incredible woman of faith whose life of faithful service was cut short.

Most importantly, the book challenged me to live "outside of myself", not missing opportunities to give of myself to others and to the higher plan that God has for me.

10 Things I Love About My Life

(in no particular order)

1. My husband. I waited long enough for him, but wow--marriage is everything I had hoped it would be. "Ignore the nay-sayers" was the best marriage advice I received. We're not perfect, we both have lots to learn, but we are committed to learning each other and learning about life together.

2. My job. Yeah, the teachers are a pain in my butt sometimes, and I really miss the kids, but I am honored to be able to try to make changes within my school (on a good day) and support teachers who work their asses off.

3. My home. I didn't think we would be able to afford to buy a house in this area, but the down-turn in the market allowed us to enter the crazy housing market and find a place that we call home. May others feel welcome here and may we aspire to extend hospitality and honor guests in the way that I saw modeled by my Arab friends and neighbors.

4. Sunday afternoon naps. We are religious about our Sunday afternoon naps. Funny how that changes somewhere along the line, because I remember telling my mom and dad that they were "wasting time sleeping" on Sunday afternoons when I was heading out to play and have fun.

5. My family. My family is real--we have our warts and problems and issues, but I am so often amazed by the gift that my upbringing has been to me. I think of all the times we sat around the table and talked about and processed our days. So much of who I am was shaped during thousands of supportive conversations and guided problem-solving and wisdom that my parents gifted to us on so many occasions. I also love the new family I gained as a result of marrying Pete--great people!

6. My nephews. They are part of my family, but they get their own line! Jonathan and Jeremy (my brother Wesley's sons) have brought such joy to my life. I forget all difficult things in my life and have pure fun when I am with them. Jonathan's eyes and personality sparkles. Jeremy is the coolest kid who has a great sense of humor already at age 2. They are incredible.

7. My friends nearby and all over the world. I know some of the most incredible people there are to know. Good people who I am honored to call my friends.

8. Being able to call my mom and dad up to ask them how-to questions whenever I want. How do you make this? How do you fix that? What is the best way to do ________? Being able to do this is a gift I am treasuring.

9. Our housemate. Jen has been living with us now for 5 months. We love having her here as part of our family! She is such a gem.

10. The fact that I have a trip to Morocco to look forward to in April! I love the freedom that we have to travel right now. Having an international trip planned is something wonderful to look forward. I can't wait to see my dear friend Terri, who I learned to know in Cairo, who is now living in Morocco.

I feel like I could keep going, but I'll keep it to just ten things.

It feels good to be content.

Two Worlds Converge

It doesn't seem possible that it has been four years ago since I left Egypt and returned to the U.S. to finish my masters degree, marry my sweetheart, and be nearer to my family.

I loved living in Egypt. I found such a sense of satisfaction investing in the lives of young Egyptian students and challenging them to think outside of their stereotypes (which were amazingly strongly formed even by 6 years of age).

That's why from time to time when the two worlds converge, I feel like I've reconnected with a true part of myself that exists in another time and another place, but is still a very real part of who I am.

So the pizza guy stood at the front door tonight and as I balanced the pizza with the receipt he looked behind me at the 'tabla' drum in our foyer.

"Do you play that?" he asked. "No, but my husband has been learning to play,"

"Because that's an Arabic instrument," he continued. "Yes, I know. I brought it back with me from Egypt."

His face brightened and a more-connected-than-normal conversation with the pizza guy ensued. After he left, I was thinking about how that short interchange woke up a part of myself that I've allowed to go dormant.

Though I feel content to be settled for the time being, I love entertaining the thought of returning to live in the Middle East at some point in the future. Until then I guess I'll have to settle for things like the occasional chat with the Palestinian pizza delivery man and a two week trip to Morocco in April. Oh yeah.