Many thoughts...

Wow. Today has been really different from the other two. This morning, we ran around the neighborhood, inviting people to a huge block party that we're throwing tomorrow. We got to talk to the people of the city and it was great. I felt uncomfortable once or twice, when the house looked super shady and when a lady came out of the house screaming, but it was a really great opportunity.
Then the Service Camp Staff met to talk about some stuff, and then we had a great conversation about race and poverty and attitudes and assumptions. We talked about being real, and seeing the plank in your eye before scraping and digging the speck out of your brother's eye. It was so refreshing. Here's why.
The past two days have been really hard for me, and I really need prayer. I'm really struggling with how I've felt. I've been really very sad, and I don't know why. I know that the people are Christians and really committed to serving people, but I really feel very alone. I've been relying a lot on my good friends, and that's been good, but I'm still struggling. But today's conversation really relaxed me and encouraged me and I can't wait for more of that so that I start to feel better.

In the mean time, prayer and encouragement are super-appreciated. And a random surprise call/visit/letter/text/IM/e-mail.

412-973-7324

Lauren Shaw
2801 N. Charles St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15214

oldieschick51

2 Days Down...

So, I'm here! Not much to say yet, I'll have internet on my computer tomorrow. But in the mean time:
-Pray for John Minarik who is in Africa and sick.
-Give thanks to God that Dave's sister is going to have a little baby girl in October!

God is so good and so faithful, and it's so important to remember that. :-D

So, the list from the last post has dwindled...
>decide whether or not to take a summer class [decision: no]
>unpack school stuff [done]
>repack school stuff [pretty much done]
>go to the greenhouse [done, and i already have spinach sprouting!]
>pack for the summer [we shouldn't go there yet]
>relax a little [not yet]
>find out if I can volunteer with hospice again [it's true, i can]
>read some stuff for class/other things [oh baby, i am back in my reading groove]

I really, unbelievably miss everyone. This has come out in my uber-organizational/think ahead personality. I have finished my door decs, and send out stuff to all the girls from the house. I'm ridiculous.

Also - Pastor Selvaggio is good for more than excellent preaching. His book? Awesome!

*Anxiously tapping fingers...*

Well, I am home. And by home, I mean my location for the next week and a half. Then my home becomes the North Side of Pittsburgh. But for now, I'll be enjoying White Oak and getting stuff together for the summer and the fall. Before May 29th, I need to:
>decide whether or not to take a summer class
>unpack school stuff
>repack school stuff
>go to the greenhouse
>pack for the summer
>relax a little
>find out if I can volunteer with hospice again
>read some stuff for class/other things
>probably a good many other things that I can't think of.

Let me just say again how excited I am about this summer. I am excited to a) be living in the city b) be doing city ministry c) work with youth! d) hang with Brittany! e) be out of my comfort zone sometimes and therefore f) grow a lot and g) prepare myself for my last year of college with a house full of girls that I absolutely love.

So, maybe I will chronicle my pre-Pittsburgh Project adventures, as listed above. But really, I just can't wait to get started doing what God is calling me to this summer!

A job! A summer job!

I just got an e-mail from the Pittsburgh Project that said I can expect to get a real letter soon enough that says I will be working there as a worksite liaison! I am so excited! That is the job that I was hoping for, and now I am definitely going to be doing it. This summer is going to be so fabulous!

A job! (Still not a summer one...)

I just found out that I have a(nother) part time job for next year. This one's quite small, only 5 hours a week or so. But, if you come to the Residence Life office next year, at least on Tuesdays from 3-5, you may see my shining face. What I'll be doing, that's another question.