Copper Acorn

My mind is everywhere at the moment. What to write about…
My best friend is moving to South Africa much sooner than thought and we are both kinda stunned. She has so much to do and planning to figure out, but I’m beginning to wish for those nights and moments when we would hang out in the middle of the night or giggle about stupid things. I just found out about the changes, so my mind is swimming.
To add another thing in the mix, another friend of mine wrote to Travis and I am I found myself hanging off her words. *sigh*
I can’t wait to see you again Laura, I’m sure you have many things to tell me about Turkey.
It was so wonderful hearing how she is and how she is fairing with the whole change in the government there. She is such a trooper. I can’t wait to see her again this next year. So I’m feeling sentimental about her…
and also, a group of us are going on a race called “The Amazing Race”. It comes from the show, but it’s so much fun! We are going to California and I can’t wait to start. 🙂
One more thing, and if you’ve read this far-kudos to you, we are having our cats watched over the weekend and since we got our new kitten, I’m sad.
So, recapping: I’m emotional. 🙂

These are our ‘babies’ at this time. I am seeing a wonderful side of Travis with all these beautiful cats roaming around our house. I know I just posted about Janek, but I wanted to also show what Chloe and Pepper look like. Plus, I get to show another great picture of Janek. 🙂
It is amazing to me that right now I am writing in my creative room and ALL three cats are here together in one room- without killing one another! Don’t get me wrong, but they are still in the adjustment faze. I’m listening to music and these pictures are what they’re doing- sleeping. Man, to be a cat must be great. 🙂 Cats rule!

In order as shown: Chloe, Janek and Pepper.

Chloe, Pepper and our new addition:
JANEK!!!

My last entry I talked about how Travis is getting a new kitten. Well he is here! We got him this last Sunday. He is very cute. At nine weeks old, his name is Janek. The ‘J’ is pronounced like a ‘Y’. We both talked about the name and after many funny ones, we finaly decided on this. It is Polish and comes from the same root as the name ‘John’. – the grace of God. Here are some adorable pictures. We have now 3 cats! It is very full of drama and emotion. 🙂 Funny, the girls aren’t too happy to have a man around…but he is great. Very curious and is forcing the ladies of the house to play with him.

I know, I know…I haven’t blogged in a while. But hey, you’re reading this so I must be trying to rekindle the enthusiasm to write here again.

I am reading a book called, Intersession. It is amazing. Really insightful and convicting. Last year at U-turn, I was called to a life of intersession. But I thought, ‘What does that really mean?’ It sounds so ‘churchy‘. However, a friend of mine, Lisa White, lent me this book and it’s really stretching me. (which is what I truly want) Prayer is so important and I am beginning to see how I have a specific way of praying that is important. Don’t get me wrong…this is no ‘pat on the back’, it’s a responsibility I now need to walk through. Tough actually.
On another note, I wrote on an earlier post about friends and how most do not ask deep questions…I hate this. I was reflecting this and decided that it is no better. I might have one friend who wants to know who and how I am…but most just want to hear a pat answer. Frustrating.

Interesting things in my life right now:
-We are getting another cat. It’s Travis’ actually. I have one, but he always calls it, “Your cat” so I guess he wants his own. 🙂 It’s quite cute actually. We’ll get it next Saturday. -It’s a boy.
-American Idol is getting really exciting!
-This new sunny weather has gotten me sunburned!
-I get to keep my 3 wisdom teeth but Travis has to have his out- and he said I was in bad shape! 🙂 haha
-I hate laundry.

I was thinking this morning about relationships in my life. Different kinds, mostly healthy-yet still too shallow for me. I had to write a short list of the people who really want to know me. And I mean really. Most people ask me, “Oh Alexis, how are you?” I might say life is going well or I might voice my frustrations with work or whatever, but most everyone are satisfied with that small bit of knowledge. They don’t ever ask me what God is doing in my life or what things God has been convicting me of recently. I would love those conversations! And the more I think about it, I think others would like them too.
I have a small group of girls I ask these questions to…but I would like to widen my circle and ask more people those challenging questions. It is almost depressing thinking about the last time someone asked me how I was really doing- and then listened!
Well, it starts with me. I will talk to girls and ask them those hard and sometimes uncomfortable questions.

Hello all… all 5 of you.:) I have come across something that I think you would enjoy. I was looking through my wallet today throwing out receipts (don’t tell Travis) and I came across this torn piece of paper with a blog written on it. I then remembered who’s it was- a Russian missionary who is our age (25ish) and as I read her blog…I became excited and impatient for Poland. She talked about living in a shame based culture,eating pickle soup and experiencing harsh winters. All of these made me smile as pictures of southern Poland came back.
I did not feel comfortable visiting the first time I went. But it got better the next time. And the next time. And the next time. Now, where I’m at…I am so hungry for Polish people, (lol, that sounds funny) that I’m go to Polish Catholic church on Saturdays. Ok, no I’m not Catholic but does that mean I can’t hang with them? I enjoy the tradition (even though some is a bit off) and I enjoy who they are. I admire the tough spirit they have and the dedication they have for themselves.
Getting back to this blog I found. She is named Jenni and is from Portland. I met her at a cafe when we were at a missions meeting. Since we were both passionate for Eastern Europe we had a lot to talk about. Her blog is wonderful and has many pictures of orphan kids, who she teaches english to. I linked to her at the bottom right hand side of my blog. Enjoy!

I am thankful to write that I can see a change in my outlook when being around people. I can see a change in how I look at them. For instance, a woman was running in the pouring rain today with designer shoes (elf shoes) and a light jacket which was stylish but very impractical for the weather. I looked at her and smiled thinking how fun those shoes looked and I wondered where she was going and who she was. It’s hard to describe, but I generally liked her and wanted to know her story. Then later, an elderly man got out of his Subaru WRX and ran with a stack of papers into Café D (which was where I was) and I smiled again wondering about who he was and if he knew Jesus. This sounds cliché even writing this, but it’s true. I liked him the moment I saw him. And as I realized my thought process; I looked at the rest of the people in the café and observed that I like everyone in the café. Weird.

I loved it! And I know that I might not always feel like I see with God’s eyes.
But right now, I will roll myself up in this moment and feel the peace that is brought by it. I pray this morning is a crack in my dam of judgment and pride. And I also pray that the dam would be blown away with love for others.
That in the future I am able to see with Gods eyes, but most importantly…I am able to live with God’s heart.