Weeping comes in the night...

Having been enormously slowed down by this pregnancy, I have been handed the opportunity to be more aware of my surroundings lately.  Additionally, it was suggested to me that I write more about what happens in our immediate culture - in our neighborhood, church, etc.
I think I will take this opportunity handed to me and see what I can make of it.
Being at home a lot more often, with open-window weather, has opened my eyes and ears a lot to the lives of those who live around us.  As a Christian, I do not realize how peaceful our lives are.
During the day there are happy sounds floating in through the windows.  I hear babies and their mommies outside.  Baby is tottering around and squealing with pleasure.  Dogs are being walked in the cool of the morning or late afternoon.  Neighbors call out to each other a lot in our community centered neighborhood.  The apartment staff is chauffeur prospective residents around enthusiastically, promising them things over which they really have no control.  The Somalian women chatter to each other in their own language while their numerous children play in the grass.
When the sun goes down, though... life becomes sad.  Almost every night, as I lie awake in bed, I hear one couple or another fighting.  So often the stereotype of fighting couples is a screaming, nagging woman and her passive, beer bellied man.  But I hear something else around here.  I hear men yelling horrible things to their girlfriend/wife.  I think about how humiliated and devastated I would be if my husband were ever to speak to me in such a way.  But I do hear both voices in those fights.  I hear the hurt coming from both of them.
I also hear college students partying.  I hear them get excited about the most shallow methods of entertainment.  And then I hope for their sakes that one day they will grow up and find some depth in life.
The other noise that comes only in the night is the sound of police knocking on someone's door, ordering them to open up.  I think about how terrifying that moment must be for the person on the other side of that door.  I wonder if there are others inside that have nothing to do with why the police are at their door.  I wonder what the police are thinking.
While our part of town has some of the more colorful characters, it is not considered a shady part of town.  I do not believe we live in a big drug trading community.  I believe this is humanity.  Living in an apartment puts us closer to our neighbors than we would be if we lived in a house.  I believe the same joys and the same outbursts occur in houses as they do in apartments.  The world is a broken place.
It is even more sad to me that it all seems to happen at night.  What a lonely time.  How many people go bed irate with themselves or someone else?  How many people cry themselves to sleep?
Why is it that Steve and I cannot pull ourselves out of our private, pleasant apartment to love on a few of these people?  Why do we listen to their hurt through the windows, but not seek them out to share with them the One who can take away that hurt and offer them peace and grace?
Why are we not moved to desperation over the lack of Jesus in their lives?
Our Bible study group had an exciting moment last week during prayer request time.  One of us expressed a desire to want to know and be more involved with their neighbors.  Quickly, other couples expressed the same desire.  It was like a light bulb going on in everyone's head that this must be an important thing and that we could start something with this.  We realized we need to stop wanting to do it and just do it.  We realized that we can help each other, encourage each other to get into action and give our neighbors the gift of friendship.
Jesus gave that gift and He gave it to the unattractive, uneducated, unlovable people.  This week a verse has grabbed at my heart and begun a work in me.  Romans 12:13 - "Share with God's people who are in need.  Practice hospitality."  And also verse 16 - "Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited."
Will I ever be able to love anywhere near to the extent that Jesus loved?

Let's Try This Again

So I tried this blogging thing once and it just didn't seem to work out.  I have been continuously encouraged to try again, though, so here I am.
I would like to post here 1-4 times a month in order for this to take the place of our monthly email updates.
With my inconsistency in that area, I think this blogging idea is a good one!
So let's see how this works out.
Please join us here on our blog to continue being informed about our journey in life.
Added bonus to this: you get pictures!  I will actually post some now of the preparation that has been undergone in lieu of our little one, who is due to arrive in only six weeks!
This is Steve with the finished product: my new glider!

 I was exhausted after watching Steve build this thing for me.

Steve was very excited to get the new stroller and infant seat...he was hungry when it arrived, too.

 The whole thing together!

Daddy practicing carrying his little girl around.

The baby room: yellow.

That's it for now.  Stay tuned for more updates soon!