Ben Folds might have something going for him in the song, "Rockin' the Suburbs". It is quite a good possibility that the Colorado Curry's may live in the suburbs. Wait, we WILL live in the suburbs. Mike and I have entertained the thought of moving into the mountains, but a 30 min commute down the mountain with the risk of wildfires (which we've seen enough of), crazy snow and wild animals its risks outweigh its benefits. Although I've seen some pretty kick-ass houses that are within our price range that I'd love to have. Life will just have to grant us with a little extra cash to buy a mountain home.
So the 'burbs it is. Oh boy.
And with that reality comes another kick in the gut - neighbors. I grew up with my grandparents as my neighbors. They didn't mind me barging in their door with all our dogs and all my glory. My sister now has my parents as her neighbors and certainly they don't mind having their grandchildren barge in with their dogs. We are family. The Skaggs family commune - a dream that may come to fruition one day. But until then my little naive self will have to live life with neighbors. I don't mind the neighborhood that I'm in right now- but the houses are too close for comfort and I can see about 30 windows from one of my windows. Sitting in church last week, Pastor Brian starting discussing ministry as local as your neighbors. Your mission does not have to be an overseas trip - although certainly I've been there and done that and if that is your calling then do it! But for those of us who feel called to community (Christians)- where better to find it then in your neighbors. The Upper Room daily devotional came to me the other day and was on this exact topic....so I've started praying specifically for our neighborhood. I'm talking a friendly, "hello" when we walk our dogs by houses. Then a "how are you" after a couple weeks. Then a cookie platter or 2. Then asking true questions, "No really, how ARE you?" and hopefully building rapport. All the time praying that Jesus shines though us - I mean if the neighborhood is like ours now, we have solicitors all the time. The LDS comes regularly, roofing, dog poop pick up, and my favorite the Dakota Ridge High School football team (they have a pretty rad discount card that I've bought twice). The last thing people need are door knockers asking for more stuff.
What do you think? Are you in community within your neighborhood? What are you doing to connect with your neighbors and do you have any advice for those of us who will be moving into the suburban life???
Since I started writing this blog (it has taken several days, for whatever reason), Mike has come home from camp....FOR GOOD! I actually have a husband again! How refreshing. Our weeks are already filled up with things to do. i.e. Dinner with our Refugee family (I'll explain more of that in the next blog), dinner with Kaitlyn - the new Speech Therapist that works my job at my old facility, Yonder Mountain String Band concert at Red Rocks with some serious tail gaiting at our house with a couple staff of Mike's, and then a concert at Mishawaka Amphitheater up in Ft. Collins to see Keller Williams!
Never a dull moment around here! As always, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime - let me know about you neighborhood! Love you, Love Wins!
This band Tedesschi Trucks Band consists of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks....and this song is so incredibly soulful - it's my new favorite! Enjoy!
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