My Fast

Dear friends,

Beginning at 5pm (CST) this afternoon, I will be "fasting" from the internet for a full 48 hours. This means no email, no MySpace, no blogging, no nytimes.com, no astrophysics job rumor mill (my latest internet addiction). Instead, I will be connecting with people personally.

Instead of emailing my housemate a question, I will walk up the stairs to find her and ask her what I need to know.

Instead of looking at their pictures on Snapfish, I will be visiting my two-year old friend Aidan and having him introduce me to his new baby sister, Norah.

Instead of reading about Prince Harry going to Iraq, I will be calling my brother and making plans to see him before he deploys to the Anbar Province.

Instead of inquiring as to which astronomer is going to which institution, I will be delighting in the company of the only astronomer whose career choice really matters to me.

Instead of signing petitions, I will be working to bring about the changes I hope to see in the world.

And instead of writing about my life, I will be living it.

I have been sick this winter. And it has been cold. And I have felt cooped up inside, and I am going a little stir-crazy. And honestly, the internet has become a bit of an addiction for me.

So, I need this break. To help me focus on what is important.

And I encourage all of you to get off your asses, shut down your computer, and go for a walk, visit a friend, call your mom, talk to your neighbor, make some music, do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight, and have a great weekend.

I realize that I owe some of you emails, but please know that I will get to it first thing Monday morning. Until then,

Peace,
Rachel

my wilderness

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Christian liturgical season of Lent. Today also marks the liturgical anniversary of my journey from the safety of ministry in established churches to the untamed wilderness that is new church planting. Driving from suburban Indianapolis to the city of Chicago on Ash Wednesday a year ago, I had no idea where the journey would take me. I joked that I was giving up "security" for Lent last year, and in a way I was. No guarantees. No certainty. No salary! No security. But I had hope. And I had courage. And I had a vision. And as that vision continues to emerge and clarify, I am continually inspired by it. It's a wild world, this realm of new church - no guarantees, no certainty, a little salary, and not much security. But it's exciting. And I am glad to be on this journey with you.

Brrr... It's cold!

So last week I was talking with my dad, who lives near Houston, and mentioned that it was cold here in Chicago. Innocently, he inquired, "Oh, how cold is it? Does it get below freezing at night?"

DOES IT GET BELOW FREEZING AT NIGHT?!?!?!?

Stunned, I responded, "Dad, it hasn't gotten above freezing during the day for weeks!!"

It's actually warmer today. High of 10 degrees farenheit. But that beats the -10 of a few days ago.

Stay warm, friends.