merry christmas to all

I'm safe and sound in Vegas for Christmas, spending time with family. This Christmas season has been full and blessed. What's struck me this year as I consider advent - is how God just really chooses people out of the blue. And how when they choose to obey Him - they're always provided for, and even if they screw up, it's okay! God doesn't call us to perfection, but rather to geniuneness. I think he'd rather have someone be an open mess seeking after him, then a put-together person who seems to know it all.

Actually...I think that's something I've been learning about this entire year, not just during advent. I've been challenged to take risks and loose control. And those risks have morphed my life into something I could have never guessed for myself! How things have changed in a year! I was getting ready to go to Thailand at this time last year! I had no intention to move to LA. And now here I am, living in LA. What seems so amazing about the whole process is - I was never lost or nervous about making the wrong choice...I was just bumbling along my way, actively pursuing a path. A path to where, I have no idea, but a path nonetheless. And I think that speaks so much to the biggness and mercy of God.

At this point in the path - I'm blown away by all these peices that are coming together. Connections are being made that I had no hand in. Like my job, I couldn't have arranged a more perfect position. And like this whole pursuing to work with prostitutes. Sometimes I feel in a rush to be 'on the streets' but as I consider all things, I see God doing a work in bringing together things in his own timing. It's so obvious when I look around me.

And that's all. I'm thankful that I've been asked to play a part in this crazy story of God's. One that began far before Christ came down to this earth - and one that will continue far beyond my short walk here. ~Merry Christmas!

Not everyone gets to hear mariachi music out their window!

What a weekend! After a full day of work and school Saturday, Sunday was full too! You know, it's so interesting working these party events for the side job. It's just such a contrast to the rest of the areas of involvement in my life. This week I was at a beach house in Manhattan Beach. It was a really modern house, it seemed almost entirely made of glass! It was a toy drive/benefit. And people came dressed up and ate fancy food and schmoozed...it seems if they really wanted to help they would do something better with their money. There I go being harsh again! I'm not against celebrations. I'm not against the rich spending their own money. And I realize that feasts and celebrations have always been used as social markers. But when our (and mine too) "normal" keeps getting raised higher and higer...more and more luxurious...where does it leave us? Working more, to pay for things we don't need, and keeping what is rightfully ours instead of spreading the wealth more evenly! Rah! Anyhow, all that ranted...I really enjoy stepping into different worlds and Saturday night was no exception.
I got to step into a few other whole different worlds on Sunday. I went to a mass. I ate fabulous Ethiopian food for lunch and went to a little Ethiopian street fair. Then I hung out with some neighbors, which was fantastic. It's so great when there's people just sitting in front of my kitchen window and I can open it and ask if they want any Abuelita! (Abuelita is like a mexican hot chocolate.) So I got a chance to hang out with the ladies some, which was awesome! I also got to practice my spanish and was fed dinner. New food group: pork skin. And wait there's more...Christmas ornament making with the neighborhood girls. We made little angels out of popsicle sticks, fabric, bottle caps, and ribbon...they turned out great. Our house was crazy for a few hours! But it was well worth it!
When I came home a little earlier, there was a gathering across the street in front of a shrine raised for the Lady Virgin of Guadalupe, whose annual festival was yesterday I think. Anyhow, there was a full mariachi band playing. I got to hear the fantastic music while I ate a late taco dinner from the taco truck...and they were really tasty tonight too! Maybe I am acclimating to LA (SF is known for their burritos, which I miss dearly...I haven't traditionally been a huge taco lover, but tonight's would give a SF burrito a run for it's money!)
And now I'm off to bed for some sleep that I missed this weekend :)

into the oven!

I got to go to the opera this evening, and it was quite wonderful. Hansel and Gretel. Not what I expected from the opera! My favorites were these wonderful little (big) creatures that were in the woods watching over Hansel and Gretel as they slept. They had these light up eyes and were just marvelous and imaginative!
As I was listening to the overture as Hansel and Gretel first descended into the woods, it began as very exciting. And I was thinking to myself "this isn't scary," when indeed, I knew it was scary. But then gradually it became a little more chaotic and looming sounding. I immediately connected this progression of feelings to those that I've felt as I've moved here to LA. At first it's all exciting and it's not until you're already deep into the woods, lost even, that you realize where you're at. I don't say this to worry you...I don't feel terrified at all - in fact I still love, love, love, love, LOVE my neighborhood. But...I've still experienced that doom-ish feeling of "Oh my gosh, I'm actually here. I've left all my securities and stepped into the unknown."

good grief!

It's been almost 2 weeks! How time flies! It is now Christmas-time officially. And that means time for the Christmas tree to go up. One of my favorite-tist activities! Since our place is so small, Kim and I were opting for a small tree. And it was really funny how much other people at the Christmas tree lot laugh! Secretly...I've always wanted a tiny little tree. I do love love Charlie Brown. We decided to get a potted tree - the size was good and it can live on our porch afterwards. I've already enjoyed reading by the light of the Christmas tree - another of my favorite holiday-time activities.
Coming home from work today, ran into some neighbor kids. They came over and saw the tree and loved it. It was fun to see how excited they got looking at each different ornament. Two are pre-school aged twins, and they don't speak English, so I was learning some fun words. We decided to make angel ornament's on Sunday - I'm excited about that.
It's interesting how our little interaction perked me up coming home from work. As much as I love this new job, it's very evident that the "perfect job" won't make me happy. It's really a combination of all sorts of things going on in my life.

I can't leave out Thanksgiving in this post. I've been so busy I failed to talk about how wonderful it was. I went to Vegas for the day-after-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving. Where all six of my immediate family and their significant others/kids were together...technically for the first time in this line up - but for all purposes, the six of us haven't ALL been together for a few years. So it was fantastic! I think we were all reminded how important family is and how much we have to be thankful for in ours.