Global Night Commute

So I survived. I also have the beginnings of a huge cold. My throat hates me. It was grand.

Rumor has it there were about 2600 hundred of us walking in "Frank-town" last night. We walked because the children of Northern Uganda walk from the bush to the city on a daily basis to find a safe place to sleep. They end up on veranda's, bus stops, or--if they are lucky--on the floor in the basement of the hospital. We walked because people notice when American's walk. There was walking in 130 cities across the world last night. We wrote letters and we prayed.

When I first arrived it was me and about 700 high schoolers. I was feeling fairly old. Then I found Tyler and some of his friends...still feeling old but not quite as bad. However, I lost Tyler and his friends shortly crossing the first intersection.

So I was walking by myself. Then I notice an aquaintance out of the corner of my eye. It was Creative Steven. We walked the rest of the 3 miles together. He and his friends let me hang out with them.

The most amazing part of the experience was the fact that when we looked at the lights along the road we could tell it was raining. It wasn't a heavy, heavy rain, but raining nonetheless. However, none of us got wet. Our sleeping bags, pillows, etc...all dry. Our hair..dry. My pants were a little wet from the road...but nothing else was. The Lord is amazing and my heart is filled with fear and awe. He is too good to us.

At 1:30 am we got our group photo taken. We wrote our letters to President Bush and our senator. At sunrise--around 5:30 we got up and departed--like the children in Northern Uganda. The children the world has yet to acknowledge. The children who daily live in fear for their lives. The children we will help make visible.

GNC

http://www.myspace.com/icfranklin

Thoughts of Yesterday

The last month or two have been fairly entertaining. I've seemed to run into a lot of people who I haven't talked to in years. (thank you myspace)

It's been great...remembering. I've laughed a lot and have shaken my head at the stupid things I said, thought or did.

Last night I had dinner with one friend I hadn't seen since college. It was great! We talked as if we'd seen each other yesterday. Well, there was a little catching up to do, a lot of laughing at old pranks/missions trips, but the majority of our conversation is what is happening with us today. I love it when God does that...the whole kindred spirit thing. (btw murph--dan is in tx starting his tour (for lack of a better word) as an army chaplin)

I've had other conversations that haven't involved the now...just memories of what was. And when I ask about now, conversation tends to slow until we're thinking about yesterday again. This makes me wonder if the person I'm talking with is not excited about who they have become.

I don't really plan on understanding how lost friendships work, but I'm incredibly grateful for them nonetheless.

Lilacs

Growing up we had lilac bushes. They towered above my 8-year-old head. There were five of them...purple, white, purple, white, purple. I've loved lilacs ever since. They are my favorite.
It's been sad living here without them. I used to look forward to spring because of the lilacs. I still look forward to spring, but they are lacking...or WERE lacking until last night.

I was at my friend Megan's house and she had lilacs on her table. I said "WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE?!?" She replies "From the bush on the side of my house." "YOU HAVE A LILAC BUSH?!??"

We went outside with the flashlight so I could see it. It isn't a big as the ones I grew up with, but its glorious nonetheless. I LOVE it! Megan sent me home with some...my room smelled AMAZING this morning.

Names

Ok..so "heather" is a flower. I was named after a flower.
But look what I found online....

"Heather has often been prized for its richly colored beauty, but is also known as the inspiring symbol of perseverance..."

Accurate name? Accurate definition?

All American Day

So Sunday was the start of the softball season...opening day. Our singles class now has two teams.....twice as fun!

I always feel like a great American when I spend a Sunday afternoon at the park, watching friends play softball followed by the celebratory trip to Sonic.

After Sonic I went and visited Rachel who was in from out of town for the evening. I hadn't seen her since she moved last August! It was SO great! But not quite long enough...

Truth is my community is changing, again.

It's a little wearisome. Getting to know people, like really really know them, and then having major life events like moving and marriage that changes how you relate. All the change is necessary so one doesn't become stagnant...but still wearisome. It takes a lot of effort to get to know someone...and sometimes a lot of effort when the move on to continue the relationship.

I think this is why I admire the "artsy" community. They always seem to stick together no matter what major life events happen. It's seemingly comfortable. I've tried to be artsy...but I fear my electicness holds me back. Or the lack of belief in my own talent...one of the two.

Anyway...heres to changing communties, changing life and changing thought patterns....

Bono at National Day of Prayer

Go here... http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=15700377

Click on the "Bono's Words...."

Read it

Be inspired.

Smells like Rain

It's Sunday afternoon. My tummy is full and I'm listening to it rain through my bedroom window. Every now and again I'm blessed with the scent of spring rain. It's one of my favorite things...