1. Advent

O come, o come, Emmanuel...

I was struck today by the longing represented in one little candle lit to signify the beginning of the advent season.  The word "advent" comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming.  The season doesn't only commemorate the longing for the Messiah's birth, but also a longing for his return.

Today begins a season of waiting and preparation for what is coming.  In all that I hope for, is the return of the King something I long for, and am preparing for?  Is the hope I have in him like that candle, a steady flame illuminating the darkness, so that what is hidden may be revealed, and that those in the land of darkness may begin to see?

Grateful

I love Thanksgiving!  I have been telling my students about it all week and asking them what they are thankful for.

I have a myriad of things that I am grateful for, but here are a few:
-work that challenges me
-family, my own and the many "adopted" ones
-my visit to Ecuador in August
-having a car
-surprises
-that people i love are only a phone call away
-sometimes they're even closer
-God's timing
-God's unconditional loving-kindness
-Skype
-the hope of change
-that i got to see my sis so much this last year!
-hugs

I could unpack all of those even more.  But I would like to make a reference to 1 Thess 5:18, as a reminder that being thankful isn't only for one day of the year: "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  What are you thankful for?

amongst the papers

I lived in the US for four years.  You would think that I would remember something as important as my social security number.
But when my university application asked for it, I drew a blank. It stopped the process and I had to find one of the many suitcases in my aunt's attic and leaf through random documents from lives past in order to find it.
I found it, though.
Which made me think of when I got it in Colorado, something like ten years ago.  I remember thinking, "Now I will be in the system permanently.  I am a number."
They may be remembering me soon, if this application process gets me anywhere...but now I have begun remembering them--that large, diverse and vibrant collective called the American system.

Fan mail: To Life

Hi,

This is Little Peanut, yeah, from the Gallery.

Just wanted to say that I really, really love your show.  I am always on the edge of my seat because I don't know what you'll do next or what crazy props you'll bring on-stage.  I particularly like how you use the kooky ordinary people from the audience as assistants.  Maybe someday you could pick me!

Keep up the good work, and all the best!

Little Peanut

P.S. Oh, sometimes your timing is just weird, though.  You have these long lulls when nothing happens, and then suddenly everything crashes on-stage at once.  Maybe you have a reason for these sequences, but you know, from the Gallery perspective, it's a bit tedious...just sayin'.
Thumbs up, anyway!

blurb

it's november
uncharacteristically, it's 10 degrees
incongruously, a man in the metro ate an ice cream cone
"i can't brain today, i has the dumb" on a bearded man's bag
right next to "i drink coffee for YOUR protection"
and as usual, i am amused by the small details of the day
slogans and cones and errant weather
to make a november day just a bit
easier to bear