Community

One of the core values of the Memphis Teacher Residency (grad school program I am in) is community. For that reason, most all of the 27 residents live in the same apartment complex together for this first year. So we are basically living, breathing, eating, taking class together, studying, and having fun for the next year. Community is a theme that runs all throughout the Bible, but is seen in the example of the early church. They lived together, shared all their possessions, had meals together, grew in their faiths together, and served together.

This group of 27, this community that I am now a part of, already feels like family. It is so crazy to me that I only met them 2 weeks ago, but I feel like I have known them for such a long time. Maybe it comes from the fact that we are all like-minded in the mission for why we are in Memphis. Or maybe that comes from everyone being willing to be vulnerable and honest about who they are. Greater still, maybe it comes from the fact that Jesus is real in our lives. And since Jesus valued community, therefore we do too. I don't know the complete reasons why we have bonded so quickly, but I cannot wait to see what God has in store over the next year and beyond.

Staying on this same note about community and just how much I love these people I am with - We had the opportunity as a group to visit the Civil Rights Museum (which previously was the hotel that Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot in) on Friday. I had been to this museum once before and really was affected by it, but this time we had a guide who explained things so much better. To say that it was an emotion-filled morning would be just skimming the surface. There is no way that I can do justice to try to explain all the moments that I choked up and could easily have wept. Hearing story after story of the injustices of how African slaves and African Americans have been treated broke my heart. The reality of just how short a time it really has been since segregation was made illegal blows my mind. Living in Oklahoma, we didn't ever talk about those things, but now living in the south were people still remember how it used to be and still have the emotions that go with that time, makes the injustices all the more real. What really struck me though was that I was standing with a group of 27 people that I love and about half of them are African American. My heart broke for them and the heritage that their families have had to endure. I looked around at the 27 of us thinking, "This (being in community together, studying to be successful urban educators together) would not have been possible 45-50 years ago." Then we all went to lunch together, and again the thought of, "this was not possible - for blacks and whites to sit together and share a meal and be friends." So the morning was such a mix of emotion. On one hand hearing the details of generations and even centuries of injustices towards Africans and African Americans seemed so overwhelming, but then to look at where we are today brings so much joy. I love, love, love my African American friends! I am grateful for the countless lives of African Americans and white Americans who took a stand for equality, many who lost their lives so that community can be possible today. It was a long battle. It is one that is still not fully finished. There are still injustices in regards to the African American community - specifically urban education. But that is why the 27 of us are here (along with the 23 from last year) and those that will follow.

First Week

So I have officially been in Memphis for a week now (after a week of moving and then family vacation). So much has gone on this week! I unpacked and put everything in its place, changed my driver's license and car tags, found out that my brother is engaged, met a lot of new people, had our first day of orientation (which now has me very overwhelmed), had a Resident Ho-down (which was SO much fun), wrote my first paper for school, went to church this morning (in a house worshiping with African Refugees, African Americans, and Americans- the delight of my heart!), and tried to find some time to sleep in between all of this. It has been busy! But oh, so good!

Things I love about life in Memphis already:
-For the most part, southerners are so nice!
-The tall, full trees are so green and beautiful (and they are everywhere!).
-There are free concerts in a park at the Levitt Shell which is where Johnny Cash and Elvis played before they were big time.
-There are quite a few Starbucks around here. :)
-I can walk into a Target and/or Barnes and Noble, and just the smell and atmosphere make me feel at home!
-My roommate is awesome!
-I don't have to drive far to get where I want to go (I live in a very central part of town).
-I really like the people that are in my class! Fun times have already been had!

Things I dislike about life in Memphis already:
-It is HOT and HUMID here!
-Still don't fully know my way around.
-I don't have a washer/dryer in my apartment.
-I really miss friends from home and Baby Birch!

So far these are my lists. I'm sure I will add things as time goes on. I guess it is a good thing that the love list is longer than the dislike list! That's a good start to life here.

This is my apartment building.

My bedroom

Living room

Bathroom

Kitchen

A Farewell to Oklahoma

Wow! I actually didn't think this day would be here - my last night in Oklahoma (as it being considered "home"). But it is here, and to be honest, I am sad and anxious. Oklahoma has been "home" to me since I was in second grade, and I have fallen in love with Oklahoma City as "home" over the past 9 years. As I looked at Oklahoma City in the rearview mirror of my car tonight, my heart just squeezed within me. I'm going to miss this place! And while I will miss this city, I will more importantly miss the people. When God blesses you with such dear friends, those blessings bring heartache when you have to say good-bye. Yesterday and today have been two of the toughest days. Tears and a sick feeling in my stomach are present, but it just reminds me of how good God has been to me - best friends, a church community that has become family, a city I have loved. What more could one want? My life and character have been forever shaped by these people and this place. It is extremely hard to say good-bye.
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Tomorrow the sun will rise, God's mercies will be new and fresh, and I will look toward the new future that God has laid out for me. I can't wrap my mind around what is to come, but I trust it is going to be for God's glory and for my good.

Finishing Well

With the beginning of any new journey means the ending of the previous one. I'm not sure I know anyone that really likes good-byes, but I must say that I really hate endings! I even have a hard time when I finish a good book or when a favorite tv series has its finale. I simply don't like endings.

So with only 2 weeks left of this Oklahoma journey, I am such a mix of emotions. There are moments where I think about certain people or just simply life here, and I could cry in an instant. At the same time I think about what is to come in Memphis, and I get so excited! I know it can be easy to get caught up in emotion. Therefore I have been praying that God would allow me to finish this present journey well. I want my eyes to be open to the people around me even during this time of ending. I don't want to get so self-absorbed that I don't finish all that God intended for me here.

The good-byes have already begun. One going away party down and two more to go. Friday is my last day with the sweetest baby boy that I love so much. There is packing to be done and final errands to be run. In the midst of all of that, Holy Spirit, would you please give me the eyes to see the hurts, pains, needs, and joys of others and the courage to act on how you want me to help? Would you allow me to say that I finished my Oklahoma journey well?

And the blogging begins

Well, I have now officially started blogging! I have debated for a while whether I would or not, but here I am! Basically, I want this blog to be a place to journal my upcoming adventures (and for those few people who want to come along for the ride). My hope is to share the joys as well as the challenges that are ahead. So what is this new peregrination you may ask!

I am moving to Memphis, TN in just over a month (gosh, I can't believe it is that soon!) to start graduate school to get my masters in urban education. I was accepted into the Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR - you should look it up online!). A group of 30 of us will be doing our grad school studies together and living together for a year. We will graduate with our masters after that year, and then we will commit to teaching 3 years in a Memphis urban school.

One of the greatest missions that God has given me is "to love the unloved and disadvantaged children." That has taken many forms over the past years, but this is the new adventure. There is such a HUGE need for good urban educators. And I see how perfectly God has laid the steps out for me to be in Memphis "for such a time as this." And for that I am truly humbled.

So the stories are about to come!