New Neice

Yesterday, about this time my sister gave birth to a baby girl. Her name is Nevaeh Marie (born 8:58 eastern; Oct 22nd; 7 lbs 3 1/2 oz). Her first name is Heaven spelled backwards. To be honest, I have mixed emotions about this birth of this baby. On the one hand I am excited and happy for my sister. I love her and will love this addition to our family as well. I was constantly checking my phone for texts and phone calls for updates on the status of the birth. On the other hand, my sister is 18. I have seen the consequences of teenage pregnancy and witnessed cycles repeated over and over. I am concerned for my sister and Nevaeh. I don't believe any child is a mistake. And I do believe that good came come of this. I do believe that God can take this situation and do things far greater than I know to ask or can imagine. My prayer is just that. "Daddy God, take this new life and bring glory to your name through it."

To my sister, "Congratulations! I can't wait to see pictures and met Nevaeh face to face."

Chiropractor

For the first time in about 10 years I went to a chiropractor this morning. I was in so much back pain on Wednesday that I broke down and made an appointment. All of my back issues started when I was in jr. high and playing basketball at the YMCA. One practice, my team was practicing the 2 on 1 fast break. I was the player to put up the layup . When I did my teammate (playing the defense) undercut me to get in position for the rebound. I fell hard on my lower back. I saw a chiropractor from 1993 to 95 (went I left home for college). And I had a few additional adjustments when I was home from college on breaks. However, my back pain has never completely gone away. It is something that flares up from time to time and I have just dealt with. My new chiropractor took an x-ray this morning and my lower back still has the curve in spinal column that was there over 10 years ago. She adjusted my back and I left feeling much better. I go back Tuesday morning for another adjustment. This may seem odd, but I can't wait!

New Ministry Partner

Part of my job in my role with Memphis Urban Ministry is to cultivate relationship with existing area congregations and find ways that they can partner with MUM to serve the poor in Memphis. Ross Road Church is a church in southeast Memphis. Southeast Memphis is an area of town that over the last couple of years many of the poor have been moving. As the City of Memphis has closed appartment housing complexs and dispursed the residents across the city many have found a new "home" in the neighborhoods aroudn Ross Road Church. This church that used to be full of young professionals has been in decline over the past several years as the community around it has changed. However, those who remain have a heart to reach out to those who have moved into the community. They are located next door to an elementary school and have partnered with the school. They have also hired a new minister recently from Texas who has been involved in urban ministry work (in particular drug rehab work). This congregation has decided this year to partner with MUM to give away the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner (turkey included) through our Turkey Giveaway. After Thanksgiving, they will also partner with us to provide toys to the neighborhood children through the Christmas Store. We are excited about this new partnership. This will give MUM an inroad into that community and church home to point the poor to in southeast Memphis.

Halloween Costume Shopping

Amy and I had an interesting night last night. But let me back up to yesterday morning. Yesterday morning my neighbor won four tickets on a local radio station to our local corn maize for last night. She called and asked Amy and I if we want to go. We said, “yes.” So all day we were all looking forward to going last night and being out of the house in the evening. However, it rained for the first time in weeks here Tuesday and yesterday (Wednesday). So the corn maize was closed last night.

But none of us just wanted to do the normal be at home watching TV thing last night—especially after looking forward to being out all day. So we eventually decided to go shopping for Halloween costumes. We started out at Mr. Lincoln’s Costume Shop. This was pretty cool. It was a traditional costume rental place. This was the first time I had ever been in a place like this. Costumes hung on the walls with masks, face paint, fake blood, fake teeth, and all the other Halloween costume accessories. We left there and went looking for a place called Trick-R-Treat. When we eventually found it after much out of the way driving (by the way—we were in two vehicles with Amy and me following) it turned out to be nothing more than a fulfillment location for internet orders. So we left there and started back towards AR. But then we found another place that sold costumes for adults—Party City. So we doubled back and went to Party City. We had lots of fun at Party City, even though no one bought anything. Our neighbors each tried on a costume (his & hers) and we all had fun with the masks. We left Part City and started home for good around 8:30.

So why were we shopping for Halloween costumes. After all, Amy and I don’t have a reason to dress up—no kids, no Halloween party. I finally asked while we were at Party City when we would wear these. It turns out my neighbors have been invited to a costume party. The one costume party that Amy and I have been invited to in Memphis was lots of fun. It was a couple of years ago and I went as a judge. I hope they have a good time in a few weeks.

I don’t know if we will get to do the corn maize on another night (Wednesday night was the Radio Station night) or not, but it looked like lots of fun. I will post about the corn maize if we get to go.