The cap

I have to give my two cents. My 6 months in the sumner: It wasn’t a likely thing that I would move into a hippie group house in Alberta. 4 mostly strangers brought together by the internet and beers at Kennedy School (that’s where I said “yes”). But I thought it was worth a shot. What a chance! What an idea, of course. Of course we should live in community. These people were incredible and I loved the vision of the place!

I couldn’t wait to meet Glad after the first time I talked to her – I could tell she was a very special person. It’s too bad I was in Virginia and she was just leaving for Patagonia.

It’s impossible to not catch Justin’s infectious enthusiasm for just about everything.

And Sarah’s organizational skills, dependability and heart for service I just had to love. She really filled in all the gaps and rounded out the group so well.

I’ll never forget the night we crowded in the cabin of my sailboat anchored in the Columbia as it rained on us on the outside and we had our first roommate date. We had an amazing summer holding each other up through unexpected things.

…and learning new hobbies like gardening.

We had tons of fun with screen on the green, bocce tournaments into trees and across neighbor’s fences, rooftop moonwatching and singing Neil Diamond tunes. Then there were serious times like worship and communion that most people just don’t do at their house. It was awesome. There was always good food to be eaten and new people to visit with. I didn’t always appreciate it like I should have. I miss that already.

There was always somebody to laugh or cry with. Sarah, thanks for letting me keep my favorite Lazyboy in the living room even though it didn’t match.

I learned this year about seasons…about highs and lows, and brokenness. I had the lowest of lows so far and really felt pain for the first time in my life. I learned that sun really does come after the rain and it’s the rain that clears the air for the sun to shine so bright. I talked to so many people who had experienced their greatest joys not too long after their worst pains. The LORD is good like that. I learned that as it says in James one we are to be joyful in the testing of our faith, it is this testing that produces endurance - and that the end result is us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, if that's possible. I was led to Isaiah 58:10-11 by Glad which were awesome encouraging verses.

I know that everybody who comes through the sumner is touched. I was.
Thanks Glad, Justin, Sarah, Scott and the CASA chicks. It really was a blast and such a growing time. I’ll never forget it. You are all amazing people. God Bless You. (but it’s not like I’m going anywhere). See you tomorrow.

Personal Hygiene

Sometimes living in community means showering more often than you would if you lived on your own.