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I thought I would give wordpress a try. I don't know if I like it any better, however this is where you can check out information on the ministry and happenings at Indiana, Pa:
www.jamesandallyson.wordpress.com

Morning with Biology Bob

Yes it has been awhile. Yes I no longer have internet connection in my apartment...therefore blogger has become a moment in history. Yet I am coming back for a short visit to tell a story or maybe two, and possibly convince you and myself that this will occur again sooner rather than later.

This morning I woke up at 6 am, partially awake I sat in my bed waiting for my roommate to get out of the bathroom (she usually is up and out by 6:30 to open at the coffeehouse, me I am up at 8 or 9 because I close the shop quite frequently). Once I step out of my room she looked at me and said "wow you seem quite perky today!" In shock I said "Really, I don't feel that awake..how are you...maybe I am awake... I do this in the morning...i'm chatty I guess...hmm...maybe I should stop talking...o i 'm getting in the shower...nice to see you ........"

The reason why I awoke so early is to meet a Biology Professor at the shop to talk about my Seattle trip. One this was supposed to happen in the summer and never did and two we rarely talked about my trip and chatted for an hour and a half about life, education, family, cities, and ect ect.. I sat with an americano, a raspberry muffin , and great conversation. Nancy warned Bob [the biology prof] that morning before I came in. She apparently told him " Bob, I have to warn you, Al is awake but she is extremely chatty!"

This is why I love this shop sometimes. The conversations that ensue and the ability to sit with a prof and talk about life. I think at such a major university town this would not have happened as easily. And for some reason I still have energy running through me; which is odd because I went to bed at 2:00 am. Weird.

Oh the smells of coffee and roasting in the morning. This is a lovely way to start the day as I sit in the shop and type on this machine. Good times.

Updates and Thoughts from Seattle

Seattle was absolutely wonderful. I walked through Pike Place quite a bit, drank coffee a bit more, and had amazing conversations with my brother all the while. I could not ask for more during that time except for more time. This is my favorite picture

We even stayed in the Olympic National Park for two nights. I wish the rain would of held off and the midst would have cleared when we went up to Hurricane Ridge to see the view--yet all we saw were thick clouds of gray and white. It was still nice.

My favorite part of Seattle became these tiny gardens that are sporadically placed throughout the city. When we walked to my brother's school we passed one quite frequently. He explained that you could purchase a small plot/square and garden whatever you'd like. Next to these particular green spaces were tiny houses that the city rented out to writers for a cheaper rate. I think it is a great way to bring gardens into the city and pull small communities together. Plus anyone from the city could just randomly walk though these gardens and enjoy the artistry. It was fascinating.


Until Next Time...

a caveat: My posts have been few and far between. After moving I have realized my internet is only supplied through the coffee shop I work at now. Therefore I must make a conscious effort to write random posts.

Off I Go

Items still need homes, boxes need to be emptied, clothes need to be put into the goodwill: all the reactions to moving from one place to another. I think there is more mental upheaval than anything else.




I made a list of items today that I am going to put in my red duffel bag and shove in my black day pack. These clothes, shoes, books, etc will be in tight living spaces as I travel to Seattle in a day or two. I'm finally going to the west coast to a city that is one of many that I hope to visit one day! I believe I'm more excited though to spend the time with my brother and take walks around the city. Some of the few plans we have thus far is : 1. Going to the wharf and watching them toss fish 2. Seeing Patty Griffin play in concert at the zoo 3. Going to Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park 4. Driving to Portland to see the coast 5. Eating cheap food 6. Maybe seeing Damien Jurado play at a local bar 6. the rest is up to chance!

I'm nervous to fly on my own, to get a bus, get on a Greyhound, be an adult. But I'm excited to be in a new place and experience the city that I hear over and over again "Al you will love Seattle!"

These Tiny Rooms

I'm packing up all my belongings. Little by little this place is no longer home. It was almost a year ago that I found this tiny apartment, almost a year ago that I entered this town and started my life in a brand new place. Looking back I remember the days upon days that I wept uncontrollably. I remember being alone in this apartment, afraid, and adjusting to everything new. I look back and laugh cause I remember the moments where I danced, wrestled with scripture, talked out loud to myself and God, and sat upon my roof with cups of tea.

It is strange to hear me say that I am going to miss this little place; where the ceiling is seven feet high and the stove is two feet wide. It is sad to leave this place because I feel that it knows my struggles and joys. I know that the new house will prove to be a challenge, a blessing, a struggle, and a wonderful change. It will know my struggles and joy and thankfully so will another human being. I can talk to someone else and not just the walls around me. This will be good and yet I still and must morn all the things I wish I would have done here: sit on the roof more often and walk up the hill behind my house to see the sun set a bit more.

Goodbye tiny apartment with it's tiny rooms and small wall compartments that I loved. Goodbye and thank you for treating me so well over the course of a very hard year.

Griffin

This particular song has been on repeat for the past couple of days. I am currently planning to speak tonight at a fellowship group. I was asked to speak on Hebrews 11, one of my favorite passages in scripture. I believe this song has some powerful resemblance to the text, I believe that the civil rights movement (referencing the MLK piece in the title and the meaning within the song) has a heavy parallel to what faith is and what it means to live. Maybe I'll explain it better tonight and more on here when I have time. But if you could take a listen, this song is located on myspace:

"Up To The Mountain (MLK Song)" By Patty Griffin

I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere

Sometimes I feel like
I've never been nothing but tired
And I'll be walking
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to

Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so

The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It's there I will go
Sooner or later
It's there I will go

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