These were some really big elves.

Every Christmas, the CMA chapter that I belong to adopts a family or two.  We have our resident Santa - Rolf - who dons the full red and white get-up, carries a bag full of goodies and everything.  I think his Bowl Full of Jelly is really a pillow, but I'm trying not to spoil the mystery.

Santa rides up in a vintage Corvette.  Convertible, of course.  His beard refuses to be contained.  Santa's helpers are wearing an unusual amount of leather (for elves, that is) and have chosen motorcycles over reindeer.

Missed The Mission

Sam - the president of CMA, and a good friend of ours - asked Troy to MC the mission this month while he and his wife are in Haiti (they went to a different sort of mission). This month was last night, and after hearing Troy talk about the night, I am kicking myself for not making myself go with him. What a night! And I missed it because I didn't want to take a shower. Hmph.

He said it was a night unlike any other. Not just unlike any other at the mission, but across the board, it was a stand-out night.

Holy, Holy, Holy

My turn is coming up to give the message at church. I don't think I need to tell you that I am terrified. Sunday morning, no less. Oh dear.

I think that since I haven't been able to get this passage out of my head or heart for the last year, I'm going to try to make some sort of a coherent message out of it:

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

I thought I'd have a hard time coming up with something to say, but the more I read and study and pray, the more I think my bigger problem is going to be to whittle down what's in my head so that people can still get home in time to tuck their kids in that night.

The Foundry

We started The Foundry in December of 2005. After a lot of painting and dismantling and repairing and decorating and gathering and planning, we finally opened our doors.

And then we stood around. Looking at each other. For over 4 years.

Sure, we had pockets of action. Small pockets. Mild action. I will be honest - I wanted to give up. I was bored and wanted my Friday nights back. Still, we hung in there. We kept reminding each other that it took an age to get it going when we did this same thing in Vancouver.

Hello, world.

Disclaimer:

This blog exists solely to keep our interested friends and family (even those who are merely feigning interest) updated about some of the things we are up to. It also serves my laziness, as this conversation can now take place:

Someone: What's new?
Me: You can read my blog.

Don't expect witty or fascinating things to happen here. Though I try to bring the funny when appropriate. Or inappropriate, as that is usually much more funny.

Also:

I totally forgot to update about Troy's last day in juvenile detention. In the internet world, it's like he is still in Fresno.

Right now...

...The Foundry is so amazing that I don't even know how to tell you about it.

Valley State Prison for Women

The morning started out much like the morning before. Got up way too early, got on a bus and drove to Chowchilla, CA. The only notable difference was that I brought my own jacket this time. It has pockets, which is handy when you have things to carry around, but are not allowed a purse.

I have too many details to share, so what that means is that I will not share many details.

Juvenile Jusice

They were only in Corcoran for half of one day. The other half was spent at Fresno County Juvenile Justice.

A few men were picked to go into the SHU (Secured Housing Unit). Basically, if a kid gets busted for violent behavior while already locked up, they get sent to the SHU.

The doors that separate the inmates from the rest of the facility are solid. There is a pass-through for their food trays and a window. You can't simultaneously hear and see the kids. You have to choose. So Troy got down on all fours - so did the kids he talked to - and they talked for 2 hours through the food slot.

Chowchilla: A place to find a friend

Friday started at 4am. I was really afraid of not being ready in time, so I got up extra early. This was especially hideous when considering the pitiful amount of sleep I got. Troy - sometimes he snores. It was a combination of the snoring and my anger at the snoring that kept me awake until 1am. But I decided to let him live, because he's so fine.

We skip breakfast and head down to the lobby at around 5:40. There were a lot of ladies who were very concerned with the fact that I had on short-sleeves and no jacket. In fact, there were so many concerned citizens that I started to get concerned as well. One of the ladies - a stranger to me at the time, learned to love her by noon - left and came back with a jacket that she'd borrowed from someone whom I can only assume (judging by the looks of the jacket) was an elderly gentleman. I took it, though I didn't want to. I felt weird borrowing something from a stranger, but it became clear that this wasn't really being offered as a choice. A whole crowd of people would feel better if only I'd bring along something with which to cover my chilly arms. I could catch a cold!

Corcoran: A nice place to visit.

Okay, I can't tell you about our trip day-by-day. Because from here on out, so much happens each day that you'd hate me for the book I'd have to write.

Instead, I've decided to just write something each day about our experience there (and it was definitely an experience!) until I run out of things to report.

I'll start with Troy's day, though I will hate to have to follow his stories with my own. His prison stories are always so amazing. I should be better at putting them all down in writing somewhere. Like in a book.

His first day out, his group went to Corcoran State Prison. A friend of ours who did a lot of time there didn't think they'd let anyone from Bill Glass in there since it's - I think he said, "It's no joke, guys". So Troy was pretty glad to get in. Bill Glass people get access into a lot of places that no other groups do.

Bill Glass: The first day and a half

Wrapped things up at home and took off to Fresno.

I can't stand long drives, but it felt a little shorter because I was so excited. And because I was totally speeding.

When we arrived at the Holiday Inn in downtown Fresno (Totally recommend it. Fantastic staff and super clean) only to find that the housing coordinator somehow neglected to coordinate our housing. No big deal - it's a huge event, there are bound to be some casualties. Luckily, they hotel had two nights available.

Unfortunately, we were going to be in Fresno for three nights.

Happy ending: We found out Friday afternoon that they were able to extend our stay for the third night, too.

We checked in and then had lunch in the hotel restaurant. The casual one. Ate too much (as per usual) and people-watched a couple sitting at another table that we'd later get to know pretty well.

That evening, Troy went to the teammate meeting (they call us "teammates" at Bill Glass events. By the way, we were at a Bill Glass event). We had arrived a day early to get in on an extra day of prison ministry. Unfortunately...

...at 5am the next day, Troy ended up on the floor in the hotel room in more pain than I'd ever seen him in. Walking: It can be dangerous. His back said "I don't think so" to the rest of the day. If you know Troy, you know he is the definition of "Oh just suck it up". For him to say he can't make it, means something fierce has come upon him.

A side note: This ordeal meant that I would not be able to luxuriate in the hotel room all by myself for the whole day. Lame, I know.

Around 2pm and after much medication and hot pads, he was able to get out of bed. We took a short and slow stroll through downtown Fresno to see if we could find something to eat. And to get more hot pads.

Later, we went to The Bridge for church and for the breakout groups to discuss the next day's events.

I'll tell you about the next day's events this next day. A quick peek: The next day was awesome.

By our love.

"...The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." Acts 11:26

They didn't call themselves Christians. Other people described them in this way.

Their lives were such that when others looked at them, they said, "Those people are a lot like Christ".

They didn't proclaim that about themselves. Their actions did, and others noticed.

Lord, help me to love you like that.

This has made its home in my heart.

I don't always sit all the way through even the shortest YouTube videos. But I sat all the way through and when I got to the end - many tears.

I know that no words exist to express the thankfulness I hold deep in my heart that Jesus wanted me, damaged as I was. Passed around and used up - hiding behind some big words and outrageous acts.

I remember sitting with God and telling him: "I don't know what you could possibly do with this mess (me), but it's yours. For whatever that is worth. For whatever I am worth - take it". And I just knew right then - I knew it as sure as I've ever known anything - that He wanted me. That he delighted in the gift I gave him.

This just brought to mind a time when I was a super-little girl. My mom would be out in the yard and I'd find dark, wet sand and then form it into a tiny ball. Then I'd roll the ball in pale grey dry sand and then bring the little balls to my mom. I held them out to her as if I was awarding her a Grammy. She acted as if I'd awarded her a Grammy. Looking back through my grown up eyes, I realize she didn't keep these gifts for all eternity, but she made me feel special. And I know that God loves me even more than my mom does* and that he kept the gift that I gave him, and kept a place in his heart for it when I tried to take it back.

I like taking an object - however ordinary it may be, however ugly or ruined - I like taking it and turning it into something that is at least useful. Hopefully beautiful. Maybe it's just quirky and sorta cool, even. But I tend to see things for what they could be, rather than what they are.

I used to think that God saw us for what we could be, rather than what we are. But I don't believe that anymore. He always sees us. He always sees us the same way. He never sees us and thinks, "They'll be useful after I'm done with them", or, "She'll be beautiful when she's all cleaned up".

He sees us...well, He saw *me* when I was ugly and hurtful and deceitful and used up and hard-hearted - knowing all the things I hid from everyone else - and still he only saw a beautiful daughter who was worth the price of a perfect life. He didn't see me and think: I can work with that. He saw me and said: Man, I love her. Look at her! She belongs to me. I'm so proud of my girl.

*That is really saying a lot, too. My mom really loves me.

Juilliard Park: It's not just for drug dealers and prostitutes anymore!

Troy and I have not been as active with Hope For The Homeless and we would have liked to have been. We have been missing hanging out with some of the friends we've made through Jim and Lisa Broyle's ministry! So it was with much anticipation that we arrived to their latest event. This time, they partnered up with Streetwise Ministry and did a lot of good things out at Juilliard Park here in Santa Rosa.

Please read more about the events of the day here. It's worth the click and the few moments it will take to check out the details.

For our part, we just caught up with a few of the people we've gotten to know through Jim and Lisa. Craig is a tall, animated man with a lot of tall, animated stories. He seems to tolerate Troy and I just fine. I tested the waters a bit more and teased him when he took his shirt off. Told him he may want to visit the haircutting booth we were standing next to. He laughed...thankfully! So did Bob and Mandy - who were sitting next to where we were standing.

I almost didn't recognize Mandy. She's sober and not all bruised up. Her boyfriend, Bob - the Sharp-Dressed Homeless Man - looks exactly the same. He's sober now, too. But aside from having clear eyes, he looks no different. Still handsome and clean-cut. He acts different, though. Quiet, reserved and a little shy.

I hope you click the link and read more about the day on Jim and Lisa's blog. They put so much time and effort into these events. Into these people and the relationships they've formed with them. And according to their blog, they're starting to see some really great results from all the love they've spent on the people in their lives.

Joel 2:12-17

12 "Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

13 Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the LORD your God.

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.

16 Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.

17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD,
weep between the temple porch and the altar.
Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD.
Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?' "