Going For a Family Walk in our Neighborhood

November 4, 2009

Since moving into the St. John Neighborhood we've tried to go on a family walk at least once a week. We figure it will be the easiest way for us to meet our neighbors. Almost every afternoon you can see many families walking the streets of St. John. It's a time where Parents, Grandparents, and Children go outside to enjoy themselves, their families, and the weather. We hope our family walks will allow for our paths to cross one way or another.

We put August in his new red wagon, and hit the streets. It's a great time for Maris and I to reconnect after a long day of work. It's a great time for August & i to play and give mom a break. It's a great way for us to get familiar with our neighborhood, and hopefully we will be able to meet the families that are out walking. We met an elderly woman on this last walk, and it was great to talk to her. She spotted August from the road, and mentioned something about how cute he was. I hope we can talk to her again soon. She seems like she has seen alot, and I can't imagine what her story is like.

We really want our time in St. John to count for something. We want to know the names of the people on our street, and begin to know their stories. It's pointless for us as a family to move into this neighborhood if we never meet the family two houses down, or the man who lives at the end of the street. We can't love and serve our neighbors if we don't know their names or their situations. I feel like the backyards and security fences of America have been one of the biggest hindrances to great community being formed. It's time for us to come outside, and embrace the world in all of it's beauty and brokenness. I am hoping God will grant us favor with our neighbors, and that relationships will be formed. I am hoping our time in St. John will not be in vain, and that people will be able to experience the grace and mercy that Maris and I have experienced.

Until then...we will continue to walk.