Regina Spektor's concert was a blast this week! Five girls and one brave man (taking the picture).



I've tried to upload some video footage from the concert but it's taking so long. I'll keep trying.

Yummy food and fun atmosphere for dinner before the concert:

Concerts

Last night I went to The Note to see NeedToBreathe. About 10 years ago, Kerri, Megan R and I worked together as lifeguards at our YMCA. Meg ran into Kerri in FL a few months ago and they realized that Kerri and I only live about an hour apart from each other in PA. So last night Kerri, her hubby and a bunch of their friends and I went to this concert. It was amazing. I'm new to the concert scene. I mean, Meg and I saw a lot of Christian bands growing up but you know... it's not quite the same.

I'm not going to pretend I'm someone who can review a concert but let me just say it was a great concert. Their music, lyrics, stage presence- everything was EXCELLENT. The venue was nice and intimate.

Next week is Regina Spektor with friends. Mat Kearney is coming to Philly next week too... might go. I don't think this many concerts will be normal but I'm enjoying something new.

Humble Swag

Today I visited a church with a new YoungLives volunteer. The preacher said we should walk with a humble swag. Love that picture! We're called to be humble and yet at the same time to walk with confidence because Christ is for us and is our identity. Brilliant phrase- humble swag.

Moved... again

This most recent move has been harder than the other four moves in Philadelphia. I know a large part of this is because I had salmonella poisoning and didn't feel well. It's been a reminder that this world is not my home. God is not letting me physically settle here in Philly. Emotionally and spiritually I've settled because my calling is sure.

Two weeks ago, I've moved two miles closer to Center City Philadelphia. My life is changing, my calling has changed and is being re-focused. On Camac Street I was only a few miles to easy access to the suburbs and the mall. Now on Luray Street I'll be closer to where many of our YoungLives girls live. This is exciting because it's more holistic in my mind and will allow us to hang out more naturally.

The new neighborhood I've moved to is called Hunting Park I need to learn some Spanish in the coming months to talk with many of my neighbors. Just a block away there is an amazing Colombian restaurant called Tierra Colombiana!

Salad
This evening I went to my front cement patio and picked some lettuce from the window box. There is nothing like eating a salad from lettuce that you've grown... from seeds! Yes, I'm a little proud. :-)

Well, I'm up at 5:00AM, not having gone to bed yet. I'm only now just starting to get tiered. Must of had too much caffeine this afternoon. It's been so long since I blogged so here are some updates.

-Philadelphia is still the place I call home. My lease runs out August 1st so I'm in need of two roommates. I'm also looking for a few places around the area. God will provide- it will be interesting to see how

-YoungLives is my passion and I'm in full swing of raising support to go on staff.

-I was in Florida for the past two weeks for Megan's wedding, seeing family and raising support for YoungLives. Wonderful times were had.

-I'm not sure what blogging will look like for me in the coming days. More regular blogging may happen or I may take a break from blogging. We'll see. :-)

I just returned from an Urban Young Life training conference. About 60 Urban Young Life leaders from the Easter division met at Lake Champion for 2 ½ days to learn from Richard Cohen. We went to learn how to care for and love our kids who struggle with same sex attract. It was powerful. He talked about wounds from childhood the first day and how we need to healthy people to be able to help people. The second day he went into same sex attraction issues: how it happens, how to love in the process and how to help.

Worship was Gospel, urban style. Worshiping with people where I was the minority was refreshing. The refrain of one song said “all I can do is believe and trust.” Simple but what I needed to repeat over and over again. Raising support for my new job and finding two roommates within the month are the two largest areas where I need to trust the Lord. All I can do is believe and trust. There is something beautiful in the simple words. There is something free in realizing all I can do is believe. God is for me. He is for you. He ALWAYS provides for his children. Let’s rest in this truth.