One Year Ago

One year ago last night, my high hopes of  teaching art, PE, and possibly coaching, were utterly and unexpectedly destroyed. I had five precious minutes to process alone, before joining the others to organize, distribute and pack for our month long bike trip, going to bed after 2am.

One year ago this morning I woke up at 4:30 am and at 6am, took off biking with Natalie and Nathaniel. Everything that we'd need for the next 32 days was on our bikes: clothes, camping gear, camp-cooking equipment and dishes, food (which we replenished along the way), first aid, bike repair tools, cameras and much anticipation for what the month would hold!

One year ago this afternoon, we biked until it was 100 degrees at 11am, and took a siesta while the temp soared to 105. At 5pm, it dropped back under 100 degrees and we took off again. Vineyards, orchards, and olive groves lined the way. Rocky, mediterranean hills/mountains rose before and around us. The glory of the world God has made was shouting from the vast display of ever-rising hills and stretched out cultivated land.

One year ago today, I knew I would spend another year in Chicago, internally aching for the loss of the life in Haiti, and also internally rejoicing to continue digging my home-roots into Chicago. Such pain and joy at the same time, about the same thing -it is beyond words. I held it in. But God knew.

One year ago, I did not see the friendships that would deepen as those relationships crossed the 1-year threshold. I've learned that not everyone moves after 1-2 year in the United States. My church has become a dear family to me, as God's given this extra time here. I have real "family" to spend Thanksgivings and Easters and random days with, when a bit over a year ago, they were only names and faces, and nothing more. But God saw them.

One year ago, I didn't know my Monday Sisters. It hadn't been formed. We hadn't bonded. We were not close friends. We did not hold each other accountable. But God knew. And I know He basked in the joy of what He had in store for me and all of us!

One year ago I started on a specific journey to lean on God, the great Provider, Protector, and Healer. And I will be on this journey forever. Learning to lean on Him is not easy. But it is good, as I'm reminded often when I listen to this song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehkg7-SVByk

One year ago, I didn't know what it would hold. But God did. And WOW. He has blown my mind. He is good, what He does is good, and when He closes a door, He opens up the gate to something Waaaaay better, since it brings us closer to Him.

The One

Faithful, Honest, Ever True,

Just the Same and Always New;

Joyful, Open, and Secure,

He's the One, his Heart is Pure.

Love and Care are in his Eye,

Lis'ning Ear for Those Who Cry;

Strength and Might are in his Arms,

In his Hands, Fear Dis-Alarms.

Multi-cultural Experiences

Cultures.
Multi-cultural experiences.

Ethnicities.
Multi-ethnic experiences.

I was recently asked to list all my multi-cultural and multi-ethnic experiences for a scholarship application. Simply list the experiences. I laughed.

I started, and it took a while. A long while. With only bullet-points and sub-points, I had over 500+ words to cut down to less than 200. How do you decide what parts are "more" multi-cultural than others?

The "multi-cultural and multi-ethnic" experiences "only" comprised my entire life story. Cultural and ethnic experiences happen everywhere, across the globe, within the United States, and even inside one specific city. When I moved to and from Eleuthera. When I moved to rural Nebraska. When I moved to China. When I worked in a nursing home. When I worked in downtown Chicago. When living with mono-culturals. Each place I lived and worked glowed with different races and ethnicities, cultures and mindsets, thinking patterns and actions I didn't know.

There are some things I need to say.

1. Life is multi-cultural. Each place has a different culture, therefore everything is a multi-cultural experience. Seek with understanding.
2. Life is multi-racial. It is. Look at the globe, and what people look like. Black, Hispanic, White, Asian. See with understanding.
3. Life is multi-ethnic. Every person I have ever talked to comes from a special ethnicity. Colors are great... but there's different ethnicities within colors. Bahamians and Jamaicans, Puerto Ricans and Mexicans, Germans and  Scandinavians, Chinese and Filipinos. Enjoy with understanding.

What is multi-cultural in your life? How has it influenced you? 

Culture Clash: Rabbit, in the city, sleeping by a window with people.

Mixes

"It's Too..."

My dear Customers, Chicagoans and Americans,


Do you know that each year, there are four seasons?

Do you know that each year there will be a summer, fall, winter, and spring?

Do you know that each place on the map has a unique climate, that though it is not specifically exactly the same, summer will be similar to past summers, fall will be similar to past falls, winter will be similar to past winters, and spring will be similar to past springs?

Do you know that we even have people's who's job it is to look at current weather patterns and give us a pretty good idea of what to expect for the next few days -even down to hours? 

Do you know that you have a choice as to what clothing you wear during these  seasons?

Do you know that you have a choice to move if you do not like the current, or coming season wherever you are living?

Do you know that you have a choice in how you respond to the weather around you?

Do you know that you can respond well to things that aren't your favorite or things you simply don't like?

Do you know that all these questions are rhetorical, and the content found within is true?

If you did not know these many things, you do now!

Expressing yourself is one thing. Complaining is another. Complaining about what you cannot change doesn't change it. But it often changes you, and eventually our relationship.

"Its too..."  Let's think about that phrase. The person using it, is saying that they are the judge as to what is good, bad, hot, cold, colorful, happy, rainy, etc. These are adjectives, meant to describe, not to be a standard set by each individual. If you don't like it, admit it, and own your own likes or dislikes. 

The issue goes deeper. When giving up the phrase "it's too..."  a feeling of control is lost. No longer is the speaker in control of what should happen. They are now a bystander that is being affected by something. From the very beginning, people wanted control, to know and judge what is good and bad. It is a bit unsettling, even scary to not be in control. Even a twinge of fear comes in when we acknowledge we are not in control -because aren't we supposed to be in control of everything according to culture?

No. We are not made to be in control. We are made to have responsibility and authority. We have a God who is sovereign over all aspects of life. That means He is all loving, and all powerful, and together, He does only what is best for the overall glory of His name, which is the best thing in the world. We don't need to control things or people; He can do that if He needs or wants to. It is a hard truth to swallow, yet it releases a freedom from fears. Fear of not being in control, not measuring up... and even fears of not enjoying my day because of lots of rain, or lots of hot sun.

So, if God wants it to be cold a lot in a specific part of the country and then really hot and you don't like the cold or the heat-then move your attitude or your location! It's not snowing or sunny too much in a place if that's how much God wants it!

And please, purdy please don't tell me that it's too hot on the first warm days we have, when all winter you've complained about it being too cold, too snowy, and too dreary.  

Love,
Laura Lei Lou


~This author continues to not enjoy unasked for complaints about the weather from customers as she makes their lattes, cappaccino's and frappuccino's.

The Present Story: While Gazing at a Little Tree

Outside of my garden-apartment window, a tree stands. A small tree, yet sturdy little thing. From my haven, I look at it all year long. It is a tree that transports a person out of the city, into a quiet place. A quiet place of the heart. It doesn't change. Same location, same size, same branches, same tree. And yet, it does change. It can tell a story, the story of the last few months of my life in Chicago, as I have sat peering at it.

My tree, from my haven

December found it waiting. The radiance of summer joy and trips, gone. Coloured leaves fallen, branches shivering in the cold, it stood there, waiting, waiting for something to happen. During this time of waiting, a Bible study Monday mornings, brought together by God, became a source of refuge, strength, and accountability, as we met and talked together, over the book, Idol Lies, by Dee Brestin.

January found this tree covered in white -to busy to notice and shake the snow that covered its branches, or the cold wind that silently chilled its heart. Applications submitted to grad schools took precedence, daily taking time and energy. Weekly French classes and volunteering at a local homeless shelter in the administrative offices commenced, beginning several new journeys. Especially the French journey.

Ice skating with a roommate in downtown Chicago

February, this cold tree had multiple visitors look at it from my haven. Family friends from Oregon, parents from Kansas City, and a college friend from Texas, brought joy and energy. I gazed many times at the tree as I sat preparing Adult Bible Learning (aka adult Sunday school) lessons, covering God's plan through the whole Bible, from creation, the fall, and His story of bringing full redemption and restoration to the world in order to live and be with us, as His new creation. It never was really about the characters of the story -it is about the Author, and a much bigger plan that He had in mind.... and he used characters to make His plan, and promises reality. Full Redemption of all relationships. I can't wait! Plus, February brought some fun into life, including ice skating, a French tutor, and learning lots of French verb conjugations. :)



With hints of warmth coming in March, I enjoyed looking with hope at this bare tree, wondering where and when the first buds would come out. Waiting for grad school responses, I continued co-teaching ABL, singing or running tech team for worship services, and simply being in friendships...and cooking fun, new things!

Steak, baked mini-potatoes, and roasted tomatoes

Cinnamon rolls...

...Became an Easter basket

Vegan double-chocolate cake.
(Bike transportation: NOT recommended... ;)

April finds me looking at a spindly, still-grey tree, above soft green grass! It is spring! And new life and plans are coming into focus. Usually when I'm staring at my tree, counseling grad programs, planning a summer weekend bike trip, and organizing a vacation back to where I grew up, fill my thoughts. Warm weather (above 40 degrees) brings biking and running back into weekly life, giving time to think ahead and pray about trusting God with the future. He's got a much bigger plan, and I look forward to someday in heaven understanding how I fit into it. :)

Until then, I wait with hope! and with my ever-growing flower garden!

Using Gifts

Where have my creative juices gone? 

"Don't worry, they're still there" is what is said...but in reality... are they? They just can't be seen, because they're hidden. 

• It's safer. If someone saw them, then they might be used, criticized and become an object of ridicule.
• It's easier. If no one knows of them, they won't be called to on to be used. Besides, they won't bring joy to anyone else.
• It's calmer. If they were used, when would "necessary" things done?
• It's more comfortable. If used, they'd have to stretch. They'd be pained.

That sure makes it safer, easier, calmer and more comfortable...here in the present. 

But that's not what God called us to. Safe, easy, calm and comfortable were not in Jesus' vocabulary for life. He gave us gifts to use, to enjoy! 

• It is risky: But perfect love casts out fear; and He is abounding in love.
• It is hard: But using what we have uses the gifts we have, which DOES bring joy and encouragement to others through our gifts.
• It is turbulent: But God brings peace when He is the focus, though the storm may not subside.
• It is painful: But out of suffering comes joy and character -gifts we can re-gift back.

Psalm of Praise

All willpower used
But change refused
Condition: less than empty
Dank is my mind
Everything's blind
Failing: my propensity.

Grasping His hand,
He leads toward His land
I follow: my only choice
Joy wells up inside
Kneeling to abide
Listening: for one small voice.

Magnify the Lord, our LORD Redeemer-Provider
Nourishing saved souls, the LORD Almighty, esteem louder.

Outspoken: His sovereignty
Presence: for eternity
Qualities only He possesses.
Respectful: The gentleman
Shepherd: till time will end
Tenderly holds and caresses.

Uplifting: His Essence
Veilings: His lessons
Wisdom He offers the World
EXudes: peace beyond measure
Yokes broken: His treasure
Zealous child at His feet, is curled.