There have been many changes since we distributed the invitation to join our Community House. Two dear friends jumped on board - Brothers-in-Christ who have been following what we have been doing this past year. With their commitment and with conversations and prayers of discernment, I decided to pursue a home purchase with vigor. We got an amazing relator who grew up in the West Side and are close to closing on a house in the neighborhood - stay tuned!
Until then, we are lucky to be moving into an apartment owned by a friend only blocks from our current place, and a mere 2 blocks from Breakthrough Urban Ministries. This gives us the ability to rent month-to-month until we are free and clear to move into the new place, without leaving the neighborhood. We are excited to finally be all together in one place to start molding our vision for this next phase. There are dreams of food co-ops, farmers markets, jam making, cooking classes, food distribution and community nights, brainstorming on ways to bless and empower those around us.
With the excitement comes plenty of sadness as well. We are moving out of a building and block that we have come to dearly, dearly love. Countless neighbors have told us that they will miss us and that we are the best neighbors they have ever had. This is very humbling to me, and shows the generosity with which we were welcomed.
I am deeply saddened when I hear our neighborhood described in a negative light, or when the first thing people want to know is if I feel safe. I feel sorry for everyone who can only go off of a 2D perspective fed to them by the news. We who live here are the lucky ones - the ones who get a 3D perspective. The stories of the love, community and joy that are beautiful parts of this neighborhood.
I am so grateful for the things I have learned this year, and the relationships I have been privileged to be a part of. As my downstairs neighbor put it when I told her we were moving from the building: "Well, we will just build on what we have started here!"
and then, God...amazed me.
“Love is what carries you, for it is always there, even in the dark, or most in the dark, but shining out at times like gold stitches in a piece of embroidery. ”
- Wendell Berry, from Hannah Coulter
Our block's own water park!
My new (to me) bike, B Magee!
Enjoying the Chicago summer
Taking Shawny to the Museum
Week in Oregon and Montana with my lovely family!
Spending time with Grandpa Bob
So much fun riding the train to Montana with my dear cousin Erin Catherine, just back from Senegal!
