Christians for peace

Click the title--I thought this was interesting...

Love

I have a friend who knows how to love people. He goes far out of his way to share grace with the needy, even if they never see it. I find myself absorbed in what I'm doing, unwilling to drive forty-five minutes to help a friend, much less five hours; or to stop and walk with a friend who might need to talk. Being hospitable to Chinese exchange students. Well, I thought of him when I read this the other week: "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. . . . Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom 12: 9-21)

The wedding

reunion
a rose among thorns


Rebekah and John's wedding this past weekend was worshipful and beautiful. I love fall weddings (by the way, with weddings, I think October is becoming the new June). What a perfect day--the sky as clear as a bell. Rebekah looked stunning--I mean, stunning--in her cream antique lace gown. The bridesmaids didn't look so bad, either, I must say. It was just nice to see people I haven't seen in a while: Michael, Heather, Michael, Jessica, Sarah, Gracen, etc. The song "Old Friends" feels appropriate here.

This was the first friend's wedding I've ever been a bridesmaid in. The wedding party arrived at 10 am for the 4:00 ceremony, which was early, but good (ha, for me). Michael and Phil got to take a lot of "fun" pictures with us since we had some spare time. Photo shoots are always exciting. And, of course, Sarah and I had our own little photo shoot off to the side as Rebekah was having her solo portraits done. We are such nerds.

Oh--I wish I were in Italy/Switzerland right now! I got an email from my dear friend Hannah last week and, read this--does this not make you want to hop on a plane and head for L'Abri?

Hello friends and family,
I haven't been as diligent with the emailing as i hoped i would be, but here i am with free internet and 20 minutes on my hand, so here it goes! Life at L'Abri in Switzerland has been really, really wonderful. It's cold there....i get to put on sweaters and scarves nearly every day, and the leaves are turning brilliant colors. My studying is getting more and more enjoyable as i get a feel for what i want to learn. It's a very productive and cozy way to study to fix a cup of tea, wrap yourself in a wool blanket, and settle into a comfy chair with a good book. Community life (with 34 housemates) is going well. I love all the people there, each so different, and there is always something crazy and fun going on. (or quiet and relaxing....our new favorite evening activity is where someone reads aloud from a children's book and we all sit around and knit:)
Our fall break began thursday, so i am currently writing from Florence, Italy. WOW!! i can't believe i'm here. My friend Sara, who i met at L'Abri, and i took off for Cinque Terra, Italy on wednesday afternoon. It's like, one minute you're in the alps, and a few hours later on the coast of the Mediterranean. Cinque Terra, for those who haven't heard of it, is a string of 5 small fishing villages set in the cliffs, and there are beautiful hiking trails to connect the towns. I was in HEAVEN admiring everyone's terraced gardens full of basil, tomatoes, lemon trees, and olive trees. The climate is so mild there so the growing season has huge potential. We ate pesto and fresh, fresh seafood, and had great red wine!! we stayed last night in a beautiful, quaint room at the top of one of those classic, tall, brightly colored buildings that are scattered all over. We even got to hang some laundry to dry outside our window like the locals!! (it was pretty exciting, but we know we're dorky) Actually, this morning some American tourists took my picture when i was leaning out our window. They must have thought i was a local. :) Yesterday we did a lot of hiking and even swam in the ocean!! It was so beautiful...greenish blue, clear, and very salty.
Today we took a train to Florence and are getting to stay for free with some of Sara's friends from college. Tomorrow we'll visit the market and then i'll head to Tuscany to poke around before flying to Ireland for a few days!! i feel so very blessed to be able to see and experience all that i am. I wish i knew some Italian...the older people don't know any English...or perhaps they don't want to stoop to that level. :)
Ok, i think it's time for dinner. I just wanted to catch you all up on my life a bit. Sorry for the impersonal nature of the mass email. Time and opportunity are scarcities!!
love you all,
Hannah

Leah's wedding

To everyone who's invited: Leah's wedding date is changing from June 9 to June 2, 2007. I can't wait to see the relatives again! Woohoo!

RUF Retreat, etc.

Leigh and me at Botanical Gardens!
phenomenal women at the Retreat :)

I love camp. This weekend I went to Camp Greystone for an RUF retreat. It was amazing! Our speaker talked about how the Word and Christ are inseparable, and other rich truths. Indelible Grace music is so encouraging, too. And the goodtheology.com book vendor? Oh, yeah. I hung out with a lot of underclassmen girls, who were awesome! I can’t believe these people weren’t in my life till this weekend! The retreat last year is where I met Hannah and Biz, by the way. One short year ago!

Free time! Those two words—music to my ears. Leigh and I studied, then took naps in the sun by the lake. I knew I wouldn’t regret it, so I did the blob and went down this huge waterslide three times! Such fun—such invigorating freezing cold water (but nothing compared to Yellowstone)!

By the way: I’ve found myself making quite a few of my decisions based on this question: Would I regret (not) doing this? Ignoring it has hurt me, but asking it has saved me a few times.

Before I left for South Africa, everyone at my going away party wrote advice/notes to me in these tiny books Rebekah bought. I’ll never forget Sid’s message: “If you feel indifferent between socializing and being alone, always be with people,” or something to that effect. I’ve tried to remember his advice. I’ve hardly ever regretted introducing myself to a stranger, or getting to know someone better, but I have regretted not encouraging someone when I felt the Spirit’s leading.

New leaves: change. Fall’s about change. Can people change? I remember times of change—my parents taking me seriously when I talked about a new chapter in life. But I remember thinking I had changed when, maybe, I really hadn’t. Five percent of people change socioeconomic classes in a lifetime. But, in the past year, I’ve changed, especially through wondrous new friends. I can’t believe it’s been less than a year. So much more to say on this, but I have an 8:00 tomorrow morning!