Birds, Squirrels, and Chipmunks - Oh My!

As a child, like many other women of the world, I loved the Disney Princesses.  While some loved the idea of being swept off their feet by a prince or the leisurely lifestyle that came with being a princess, for me, it was more of the "burst into song at any moment" and "sing and talk with your animal friends" lifestyle that hooked me in.

Snow White sharing her dreams with the woodland creatures.

I'm serious.  I've always wanted to communicate with animals.

Cinderella was buds with the birds.

Wouldn't it be neat if cute little birds and forest animals could help you get ready in the morning?

Aurora and her friends.  (Sleeping Beauty - my favorite!)

Some might argue these Disney princesses talked to the woodland creatures because they had no one else to talk to (a reoccurring theme in these princesses' lives), but it's still fun to imagine themselves engaged with the creatures of their environments. 

So why do I share this confession with you today?

Giselle from Enchanted.

(I promise it is not because I have no one else to talk to.)

I've been spending some time outdoors by myself since coming to Chapel Hill.  Most of this time involves me going on long walks around town, but some of this time is sitting on the steps of my back porch....

...

...

...in silence.

I know, I know.  Not your typical Katy type of thing to do, but it has been an awesome practice to begin.

The funny part?  

It's not silent. 

 There is an original symphony performed each evening by a variety of birds.  Whether they are just calling out to each other or tootin' their own horn, it sounds like an evensong to me. 

In my stillness, I observe parts of God's good creation I might have looked over before. 

Like this guy:

I've seen this little one almost every day, doing the chipmunk things you would expect him to do.  I find it absolutely adorable to watch (yes, I know it is a form of rodent...) and it feeds this silly dream I have to one day be like David from Alvin & the Chipmunks (or Princess Aurora, whichever comes first).

The other day on a walk, I saw this going on:

 

While it may sound silly to talk of the Disney Princesses and their woodland creatures, it isn't so silly to sit or walk and observe God's creation at work.  I think that's a practice of sorts, especially when done in silence. 

So, get out there. 

Open your eyes. 

Engage in your environment.

Sit in your own silence.

And listen.

Observe.

Reflect. 

And give thanks. 

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." -Revelation 4:11

I'm New Here

Being the "new kid on the block" can always be a bit challenging at times.  As someone who works with youth and children, I try to work on creating the least awkward/uncomfortable/challenging situation possible with new faces, but alas, that doesn't always happen, does it?  I like to think that part of this journey I'm on called life has these "new kid on the block" experiences so that I can ideally learn something from them.  And in learning gain some knowledge or wisdom, or at least have a good story to share with others.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

For the facing of this hour, 

For the facing of this hour. 

This is the second time I've been the "new guy" at a church, and let's be honest, it won't be the last.  In my previous internship, there were THREE interns, which meant I wasn't the only "new guy".  Better yet, I had cohorts to commiserate with when I fumbled or bumbled during worship. 

Speaking of fumbling and bumbling, let's address what happened this morning.  

Meet Mike. 

Don't be fooled by Mike's fancy appearance and cool gadgetry.  Mike's a tricky one.  For instance, Mike has to be turned on and off each time you use Mike.  So, that means don't turn Mike on right when you robe up, because if you talk with some people in the office, the entire worshiping body in the sanctuary will hear you.  (Thank goodness I wasn't in the ladies room or telling awful jokes!)

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, 

Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal, 

Lest we miss Thy kingdom's goal. 

The best thing about being the "new kid on the block" with a church?  grace.

Grace. 

Laughter.

Kindness.

Grace abounds.

Laughter abounds.

Kindness abounds. 

There is ample room for forgiveness, growth, and a chuckle. 

So when on your first Sunday you read something like this:

Romans 16: 1-16

(I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.  I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.  Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.  They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.  Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.  Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.  Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.  Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.  Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.  Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.  Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.  Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.  Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.  Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.  Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.  Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.  Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.)

...a verse full of names that are tongue twisters by themselves but then when piled together seem utterly impossible, you are able to stand before the congregation and just smile your way through it.  (And then after worship, joke with members on the baptism by fire you've received.)

Our God is a God of Grace. 

Our church is a place of Grace.  

All so we continue worshiping, serving, and loving in this world our God has created. 

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, 

Serving Thee whom we adore, 

Serving Thee whom we adore.

Welcome to Chapel Thrill

In case you didn't know, I've got the pleasure of spending this summer in Chapel Hill, NC serving as the Summer Intern at University Presbyterian Church.  I've been here a week and already experienced the generosity of true Southern Hospitality (and the infamous humidity!).  

In the week of finals, my traveling looked a bit like this:

And it was totally worth it to spend time with these awesome people:

The time was short and sweet and involved the zoo, aunty bath times, puzzles & songs,  amazing weather, good food, and great company!

My internship gets me back into what I love doing most and what brought me to Columbia: Youth Ministry.  I'm going with a group of youth to Montreat Youth Conference (my first time as a Youth Leader!)  and will spend a week at Montreat Worship and Music Conference (my first time as well!) I will get to serve alongside youth on a mission week at Appalachian Service Project.  I will be involved in Sunday worship on the Sunday's I'm here and as part of that, I am keeping a liturgy journal of sorts.  And of course, there will be some preaching involved.  

I live in this adorable cottage, Blythe Haven:

 It is perfect!  (And have you ever seen a house with a pew for a couch?)

The best part is my commute to work - this is taken from the front yard:

It is so green here, I just can't get over it!  Here's a picture of the front of UPC, I'll work on getting a better one...

This is the first time I've ever lived in downtown of sorts, and this being a college town, just about everything is walk-able!  I've been taking daily walks and just exploring the neighborhood.  I've got a good friend from CTS who is in Durham for a while, and she's been showing me the sights over there as well.  

I'm looking forward to this summer. I know it might be challenging at times, but as Bette Davis said, "The key to life is accepting challenges.  Once someone stops doing this, he's dead."