It's finding things like this commercial that make me so glad I decided to re-start my blog again.
And, here's a special shout-out to my cousin Rochelle, who usually finds all the videos for me.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Honey, we're not in Tucker anymore
About a year ago a new Ethiopian Restaurant called Messob Work opened about two miles from my home. Over that period of time the family who owns this place, The Abete’s, have become good friends as I’ve stopped in periodically to get a taste of what I’m going to be experiencing. They are really sweet family who love the Lord and also love ministry and make extremely tasty Ethiopian dishes, so it’s kind of a win-win all around. The last time I was in there, Samson Abete invited me to his church’s inaugural worship service and official ribbon cutting ceremony that was held on July 16. The details I had were to show up at 11:30am, that lunch would be included, that there would be worship of some kind, that his church was Ethiopian, that I could bring a friend and that the location was an old GM dealership. After some amount of googling these things, I found his church online and got directions to the place which was only about a 10 min drive from my house.
I showed up at 11:30 sharp, marveling at the two lanes I could choose from on my drive in- one for “guest services” and one for “service dept”. I went out on a limb and picked the guest side. I walked up to the wide glass window doors, and Samson was standing just inside, super excited to give me a tour. My friend showed up soon after, and as he showed us around I quickly made the connection about why a showroom actually makes an excellent space for a sanctuary, if you think about it. During the tour people kept warmly greeting us and there were women everywhere dressed in authentic Ethiopian dress. Samson apparently has been involved in this church for quite a while and they all knew about his restaurant, so we were definitely with the right person.
After the tour, lunch was in the service department, which was so awesome, and the lunch line was in the parts department. It did have a great open space for chairs and everyone was gathered together sharing in the meal. I was 100% gearing up for some injera and tibs or whatever else Ethiopian delicacies we might be having, but actually what they were serving was American style sub sandwiches. I was down with that.
At about 1:30 we walked over to the red carpet which started at an outdoor tent with about 30 chairs underneath it, and led up to the main entrance of the new sanctuary. Red ropes lined the edges with women singing praises in Amharic, and waving palm branches. Samson told us that we were honored guests and should sit with the other dignified-looking people under the tent. We felt pretty awkward doing that, because these people looked way more important than us. However, once the ceremony started and the people under the tent got up to walk the red carpet, Samson insisted that we join them. As we walked everyone watching us was cheering, singing, and taking video and pictures. Somewhere we had to have ended up on someone’s website somewhere. At the ribbon, the procession stopped. A few words were given, and doves were released. Then the cheering started again and we were ushered inside.
We lasted about 1 ½ more hours of the worship service that ensued before our ears needed a break from the Amharic listening. I think my favorite part was just listening and watching these beautiful Ethiopian people sing, dance and praise God. In my experience African cultures really outwardly praise God unabashedly, and it’s quite admirable to me. The whole experience was very touching, and I was humbled to be a part of this church and their culture.
I showed up at 11:30 sharp, marveling at the two lanes I could choose from on my drive in- one for “guest services” and one for “service dept”. I went out on a limb and picked the guest side. I walked up to the wide glass window doors, and Samson was standing just inside, super excited to give me a tour. My friend showed up soon after, and as he showed us around I quickly made the connection about why a showroom actually makes an excellent space for a sanctuary, if you think about it. During the tour people kept warmly greeting us and there were women everywhere dressed in authentic Ethiopian dress. Samson apparently has been involved in this church for quite a while and they all knew about his restaurant, so we were definitely with the right person.
After the tour, lunch was in the service department, which was so awesome, and the lunch line was in the parts department. It did have a great open space for chairs and everyone was gathered together sharing in the meal. I was 100% gearing up for some injera and tibs or whatever else Ethiopian delicacies we might be having, but actually what they were serving was American style sub sandwiches. I was down with that.
At about 1:30 we walked over to the red carpet which started at an outdoor tent with about 30 chairs underneath it, and led up to the main entrance of the new sanctuary. Red ropes lined the edges with women singing praises in Amharic, and waving palm branches. Samson told us that we were honored guests and should sit with the other dignified-looking people under the tent. We felt pretty awkward doing that, because these people looked way more important than us. However, once the ceremony started and the people under the tent got up to walk the red carpet, Samson insisted that we join them. As we walked everyone watching us was cheering, singing, and taking video and pictures. Somewhere we had to have ended up on someone’s website somewhere. At the ribbon, the procession stopped. A few words were given, and doves were released. Then the cheering started again and we were ushered inside.
We lasted about 1 ½ more hours of the worship service that ensued before our ears needed a break from the Amharic listening. I think my favorite part was just listening and watching these beautiful Ethiopian people sing, dance and praise God. In my experience African cultures really outwardly praise God unabashedly, and it’s quite admirable to me. The whole experience was very touching, and I was humbled to be a part of this church and their culture.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
LPC
Today I finally received an email from the Georgia Composite Board, which is the governing body that licenses counselors in my state, that I am officially a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). It takes three years of practicing as a counselor, post-masters, during which you have to meet with a supervisor and fulfill several other state requirements. You also have to be a pretty fastidious record keeper. It’s a huge relief and a joy to reach this milestone in my counseling career!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
So sweet
One of my friends from my new church plant told me this weekend that her nine year old daughter wanted a stack of my prayer cards because she's going to hand them out at her lemonade stand that she's doing to support my ministry in Ethiopia. I saw her daughter at church the next day and she told me that she already sold $3 worth of lemonade but it was a really slow day so I should expect more.
How. Sweet. Is. That?
How. Sweet. Is. That?
Monday, July 04, 2011
Peachtree Road Race 2011
July 4, 2011 marked my 6th attempt at running the Peachtree Road Race, which, in case you didn't know, is the largest 10K race in the entire world with over 60,000 participants. So it's not surprising that it's a little nuts.
Basically, I hate running it. However, if you live in Atlanta and can feasibly move your body for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, it is completely worth doing it. Because this race is such a big freakin' deal, there are a TON of spectators lining Peachtree St in Buckhead/Midtown. These spectators aren't just cheering, but they are pretty unique. For example, you may run by the priest at mile 2 sprinkling you with holy water, the people handing out free beer and donuts, the people throwing free T-shirts into the crowd, and my personal favorite this year, the people throwing cheese balls into people's mouths. I was 1 for 2 on the cheese balls.
One of the things I enjoyed the most this year was getting to participate with my cousin Rochelle, who loves running and is quite good at it. This was her first experience doing it which made mine so much more fun. After the race we went to Fox Brothers BBQ for linner (lunch/dinner) which was followed by the Braves game and fireworks. It was a brilliant day.
Somewhere around mile three I began to get teary eyed, thinking about how I dread doing this race each year, but yet it's become so much a part of my life here in Atlanta with a lot of fun memories. The tears were about probably not being around next year for this, since it's likely I'll be in Ethiopia by then. It's these moments that I just have to swallow and remind myself that is not my reality right now, and to savor these times with my friends and family.
At the end of the race, Rochelle and Stephen surprised me by cheering for me from the crowd, and this fun pic was taken (below) as I turned around with wonder that someone was screaming my name and I actually heard it.
The other pic is of Rochelle and I in our Peachtree shirts, which are always a badge of honor to wear for the rest of the day.
Basically, I hate running it. However, if you live in Atlanta and can feasibly move your body for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, it is completely worth doing it. Because this race is such a big freakin' deal, there are a TON of spectators lining Peachtree St in Buckhead/Midtown. These spectators aren't just cheering, but they are pretty unique. For example, you may run by the priest at mile 2 sprinkling you with holy water, the people handing out free beer and donuts, the people throwing free T-shirts into the crowd, and my personal favorite this year, the people throwing cheese balls into people's mouths. I was 1 for 2 on the cheese balls.
One of the things I enjoyed the most this year was getting to participate with my cousin Rochelle, who loves running and is quite good at it. This was her first experience doing it which made mine so much more fun. After the race we went to Fox Brothers BBQ for linner (lunch/dinner) which was followed by the Braves game and fireworks. It was a brilliant day.
Somewhere around mile three I began to get teary eyed, thinking about how I dread doing this race each year, but yet it's become so much a part of my life here in Atlanta with a lot of fun memories. The tears were about probably not being around next year for this, since it's likely I'll be in Ethiopia by then. It's these moments that I just have to swallow and remind myself that is not my reality right now, and to savor these times with my friends and family.
At the end of the race, Rochelle and Stephen surprised me by cheering for me from the crowd, and this fun pic was taken (below) as I turned around with wonder that someone was screaming my name and I actually heard it.
The other pic is of Rochelle and I in our Peachtree shirts, which are always a badge of honor to wear for the rest of the day.
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