If you read my last blog you'll already know how much I love spring in the South (can you hear the sarcasm?). Springtime here is a phenomenon: it bestows three (or four, or five...) long months of pollen for the allergy sufferers, while giving only two gorgeous weeks of spring weather. One brief respite of delight nestled between the harsh chill of winter and the suffocating humidity of summer. This year our two weeks of spring weather have come to us over the last month in two day squirts of good weather separated by cold fronts or thunderstorms. It has been wonderful being able to spend time outside again, and to finally meet others who are venturing outdoors. We moved into our apartment complex (which consists of over 1,000 apartments) last September on the day that the pools closed down for cooler weather. Apparently the closing of the pools signals hibernation. All winter long we saw cars change parking spaces and dogs doing their business outside while their owners kept a distant watch from behind their cracked doors, so we knew we could not be alone in our complex. And behold, the hibernation has ended. We finally get to see the faces behind the transplanted cars and cracked doors.
It has been such a joy to meet our neighbors. We have absolutely loved meeting new friends every day, none more than Sydney. That girl can find a friend anywhere and everywhere. We are still working on her actually asking her new friends their names instead of naming them herself...if I had a nickel for each impromptu friend that leaves saying, "My name is not Nearly" - or "Arla," or "Nearna" or...
On our first gorgeous day Sydney, Jade, and I walked to our park, and to Sydney's delight it was filled with friends! After getting her initial burst of energy out with a quick sprint, she found her first friend, two-year-old Morgan. The three girls basically played the game: Jade stands there, Morgan hugs Jade, and Sydney runs circles around them. If any of you know my girls' personalities, you'll know how perfect that game was for them :) When Morgan left Sydney's two other friend options were a group of about 10 boys (and their families) who were playing around with some baseballs, or a five year old boy with his baby sister and Mom who had brought along her hookah. Sydney chose the hookah family.
While Sydney and Brahim (the 5-year-old) played, I sat by his Mom, Sousa, and Jade shared a snack with baby Lina. Despite Sousa's broken English, interrupted by puffs on the hookah, we had a good conversation about her move from Lebanon three years ago and the family that she left behind there. We live in a really culturally diverse area of Nashville, and, although some native Nashvillians have recommended living elsewhere, we love being here! Most of Jared's employees at the airport are first generation immigrants from Egypt, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. They have such fascinating stories that have taught us a lot.
We learned in high school history about America's "melting pot" quality, but I think a naive part of us left that right where we found it...as history. Now when we think of immigration we think of border control along the Rio Grande. In the midst of our complaints about the poor economy, stalled housing market, and unwanted wars abroad, we miss the thousands of people who have worked years and years to save enough to move to America for a small portion of what we have. I'm blown away by the stories of some of our friends here. I'm astonished at their sacrifice, on a level I've never dreamed of having to make. I'm inspired by their hard work as they put in hours that seem impossible to me. There are days that I feel like we sacrificed too much to do the ministry that we are doing. But the stories of our friends here remind me how little we have had to sacrifice in life. Thank you for reminding me how richly blessed I am.
It has been such a joy to meet our neighbors. We have absolutely loved meeting new friends every day, none more than Sydney. That girl can find a friend anywhere and everywhere. We are still working on her actually asking her new friends their names instead of naming them herself...if I had a nickel for each impromptu friend that leaves saying, "My name is not Nearly" - or "Arla," or "Nearna" or...
On our first gorgeous day Sydney, Jade, and I walked to our park, and to Sydney's delight it was filled with friends! After getting her initial burst of energy out with a quick sprint, she found her first friend, two-year-old Morgan. The three girls basically played the game: Jade stands there, Morgan hugs Jade, and Sydney runs circles around them. If any of you know my girls' personalities, you'll know how perfect that game was for them :) When Morgan left Sydney's two other friend options were a group of about 10 boys (and their families) who were playing around with some baseballs, or a five year old boy with his baby sister and Mom who had brought along her hookah. Sydney chose the hookah family.
While Sydney and Brahim (the 5-year-old) played, I sat by his Mom, Sousa, and Jade shared a snack with baby Lina. Despite Sousa's broken English, interrupted by puffs on the hookah, we had a good conversation about her move from Lebanon three years ago and the family that she left behind there. We live in a really culturally diverse area of Nashville, and, although some native Nashvillians have recommended living elsewhere, we love being here! Most of Jared's employees at the airport are first generation immigrants from Egypt, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. They have such fascinating stories that have taught us a lot.
We learned in high school history about America's "melting pot" quality, but I think a naive part of us left that right where we found it...as history. Now when we think of immigration we think of border control along the Rio Grande. In the midst of our complaints about the poor economy, stalled housing market, and unwanted wars abroad, we miss the thousands of people who have worked years and years to save enough to move to America for a small portion of what we have. I'm blown away by the stories of some of our friends here. I'm astonished at their sacrifice, on a level I've never dreamed of having to make. I'm inspired by their hard work as they put in hours that seem impossible to me. There are days that I feel like we sacrificed too much to do the ministry that we are doing. But the stories of our friends here remind me how little we have had to sacrifice in life. Thank you for reminding me how richly blessed I am.
