decision

So, Duke happened, and it really inspired me in some unexpected ways. But the Lord, as always, knows what we need, and He speaks to us.

One night of the conference, I became aware of a division I felt within myself. It is a horrible feeling, and I believe I've carried it around for awhile now. I felt divided against myself. Jesus talks about this not making any sense, "a divided house cannot stand" (Mark 3:25). Dueling allegiances, inabilities to choose... they are paralyzing. As I received this word, I sensed some freedom... if I know the cause of some of my pain, then I can reach towards the solution; in this case it's: proclamation, speaking, decision.

(See my latest Philly blog post here.)

Here is where I begin my little tribute to David Wilcox. Last week I re-listened to an album of his that I have a special affinity for. One song that I was so happy to hear starts this way:

its the choice of a lifetime, i'm almost sure. i will not live my life in between anymore. if i can't be certain of all thats in store, this far it feels so right.

so i will hold it up to the light.

And he continues:

i felt dead with deciding, afraid to choose, cause i was mourning the loss of those choices I'd lose. but there's no choice at all if i don't make my move, and just trust that the timing is right. yes and hold it up to the light.

When we know that God has spoken, let's not be "dead with deciding." Let us act; let us speak.

David Wilcox - Hold It Up To The Light

new / old things resurfacing

I can't tell you how excited I've been as I've learned more about the Center for Reconciliation at Duke. And it's not just that but the deeper themes that the Center promotes in this whole realm of the 'ministry of reconciliation.'  I've been reading one of Chris Rice's books about his life and ministry going back to the 1980s, and it's been really instructive and beneficial to just track with someone else's experiences in seeking and living out reconciliation in our divided society.  I love it.

I applied last week for a week-long Summer Institute at Duke's center, and I'll see in a couple of weeks whether I get in, and whether or not I receive some financial assistance.  We'll see... even if this doesn't work out, I'm excited nonetheless about what's happening here, and opportunities to explore these themes further in my life!

when searching for direction

God is the greatest good on this earth. The end for us is Himself. - Francis Chan, Crazy Love (62)

Set times of prayer are valuable in order to form a habit of conversation with God, and-as I said-referring all we do to him. They aren't the end itself, but means to an end. The end is God: being with him, living in his presence and under his control. You can't do that if you try to ration contact with God to twenty minutes twice a day or whatever it is. - Brother Lawrence, Closer Than A Brother (39)

Living more fully for God and for others (Luke 10:27). That's been a helpful theme of what I've been reading. This idea of God being the most wonderful, beautiful end for us - not a means to any other end. The emphasis is on real dependence upon God, on a real relationship that acknowledges how great and good He is.  It's difficult to put into practice!  But, as Brother Lawrence says earlier in his book, God gives us himself (and his approval), even in the middle of our failures - "if we put our trust in him, and love him, and give him first place" (29).

Speaking with an elder at our church a couple of weeks ago, she went through the examen with me. It's a an exercise in reflecting on when we most sense God's presence throughout the day, and when we feel it least. Or, what parts of our day were the most life-giving, and which ones the most life-draining. It can be a way of noticing patterns in our life. Are there situations that are consistently challenging for us, or activities that are particularly joy-giving? In the examen you pray through them both. And, my understanding is that you would want to move towards whatever it is that tends to give you life...

(The Examen - Ignatian Spirituality)

The reasoning behind my appointment with her was to discuss my searching for a sense of direction, and focus in my life. When searching for direction, who better to listen to than God? The simplicity of the answer is almost comical, but it made me realize how difficult it is for me to be still and listen, to receive from the one who created me and loves me.

Changes

A lot has changed since my last post.  For one thing, the weather!  It's now into some freezing temperatures here in mid-January -  but no snow yet.   Ted has been working now with the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia for a few months, and as part of the support-raising process I have started a new blog, one that highlights little aspects of our life and ministry involvement here in Philly.  It's a way to provide some clearer snapshots of what we're doing here.  This blog remains my place to share more of my reflections and thoughts - what I'm thinking about, but with interesting stories woven in from time to time I hope.   I've always been a little sporadic with this,  but thanks for staying tuned and reading up on my life once in awhile ;)

Struggling for contentment in the Christmas season

I've found that shopping, for me, breeds discontentment. Living in a city can also do that. This is only sometimes the case for me, but this past week proved many instances of that. Living in a city, with so many possible things to do, I'm aware of how I can't do them all. A couple weekends ago we were driving through some really cool neighborhoods in NW Philly -- soooo many shops and restaurants; I was thinking, if I had the money, I could dine out 3-4 nights a week! And enjoy all these places.

Now Christmas shopping season is already in full swing (because it really does start a few weeks before Black Friday). It's funny, because shopping for *others* is something I can really enjoy, but when I think about what to put on my wish list, my mind can eventually start to go crazy!  When I'm first asked the question, "Katharine, what would you like for Christmas?" I may draw a blank at first, or just think of some really small things… "Give me some time to think about it," I say, "and I'll get back to you."  Well… only a few days of pondering and internet searching need to pass before there are TONS of things I want! And it's pretty easy for me to get attached to the items I want fairly quickly. So silly, right?

As I walked amongst the jumble of clothing racks at Macy's this afternoon, I noticed this tendency in me again. In two hours, I tried on many items. I would find something I really liked, but then 10 minutes later find something else "even better."  I realized that this process of looking and finding things I "want" could never end. At its worst, shopping can tap into a consumerist desire that is never fulfilled. No matter what you do purchase, there's something else five feet over that's also "so amazing" and you may even think that, by acquiring it, you will feel great.

Now I realize that Black Friday is partially designed to get customers to "keep shopping," and, with all the big sales, to probably get people to buy more than they originally intended, so I think this "breeding discontent" is partly a product of this big shopping season. But I've noticed how strange it is that these unhelpful feelings should coincide with this season of Thanksgiving. Yesterday was the Thanksgiving holiday, and Sunday begins the season of Advent, where we reflect on the coming of our Savior and Messiah into the world. It's a season of thankfulness, of joy, of appreciation, of gratitude. We have been given so much, at a great cost to God.

So why should I be struggling with these feelings of discontentment? Yes there are things that I can't have or can't do, but big deal!!! What I do have is so much greater than anything that can be bought or sold. Materials gifts  are a fine way of showing appreciation and love, but I can't make them into something greater than they are -- fleeting.

Consumerism and its discontents - I found this article helpful, and I'm seeing I'm one of the "worst case scenario" types they describe -- someone with high materialist values who also has "high prosocial values," (i.e. values relating to family, community, faith)  and these two value groups often conflict, therefore causing some of the discontentment.

One of the article's conclusions is useful (though maybe a little weak in its wording) and I'll post it here: "Material things are neither bad nor good … It is the role and status they are accorded in one's life that can be problematic. The key is to find a balance: to appreciate what you have, but not at the expense of the things that really matter--your family, community and spirituality." '


(I'd like to add here that I entered the Christmas holiday with much more peace and contentment, after struggling with several discouraging episodes like the one I described above. I have felt so much more satisfied since then, but I recognize that own restlessness and worldly influences can still pull me into "funks" like this one above.  My Kenyan friend, Pini, recently shared that when she came to the U.S. for her studies she really prayed against the love of money, because she feared it would derail or dilute her plans to go home and serve her local community. She was so wise to do that. Her words and Jesus' many warnings against the love of mammon and wealth are vital reminders for us to heed, as Christians.)

soooo hot

It's amazing how hard it is to feel motivated to do anything in this heat! So tiring, even moving about the hot house. Going to work is not easy, getting in and out of the car. And then feeling cooped up inside isn't much fun. Bleh. Where are the summer storms and at least some cool evenings to offer respite??

the latest

So I'm starting to think that the answer to many of my ponderings and queries about calling and place and timing and purpose is:

"Just trust. Wait and see."

missions: back to the point

(This ties back to my post on 6/16)

There seems to be something missing, or shifting – at least in my world but maybe in some larger sense too. I’ve wondered recently where the push for missions has gone? The drive towards inner-city missions seemed to steadily increase towards the end of my college years. I remember Claiborne’s entrance into the evangelical scene with “The Irresistible Revolution” opening many suburban-raised Christians like myself to the mission fields close by, right in our cities – and it was a field that promised transformation for ourselves as well as our new neighbors.

In my masters program at Eastern, so many questions were raised – and I believe this reflects a heightened awareness among many church groups or para-church groups about the ineffectual strategies of some development work, and even the troublesome nature of some missionary work. “Development as missions” is a concept and a calling that felt dear to many who entered our program I think – for that is what Eastern offered us that was unique.

Now, I hardly hear about the missionaries, about their mission, except through a couple prayer letters and e-mail chains from friends and distant acquaintances. I am at a church right now that has a huge focus on urban missions, and that is where we are located, right in the inner city. We’re in this mission field. Our church is open to overseas missions and we financially support some missionaries, but why is it that I don’t have a sense of feeling “sent” by our church? We are missional; our church loves mission – yet, I don’t feel any personal encouragement to be a missionary, to be an ambassador – overseas – for the Gospel.

Now I know there is much work to be done right here, all around us, but what if international missions is the focus we (Ted and I) have had? What if that’s what we’ve felt as our heartbeat before? I’m not sure I’m even reading this the right way, because the core of my values that I believe God has placed on my heart are for LOVE and JUSTICE. And those are in need EVERYWHERE.

So, does international missions even make sense anymore? It must, but what I’m trying to read is what this current wave in missions-thinking is saying – what are Christians really thinking about missions – urban versus international? Is one locale being preferred over another?

Help me.

weekends...

I did this once before, sometime in 2007, where I had a particularly full, unique weekend and just felt like sharing it with everyone :) I suppose if I'm to get the full scope of things I should actually start things last Wednesday evening... when the real fun got started.

5pm & dinner with Deborah. In our two years of being here I hadn't walked to this particular corner of HP, to discover a beautiful corner garden outside of our friend's home. A beautifully fresh meal surrounded by conversations of Sudan, missions & culture.

11:20pm & I leave to pick up 3 weary travelers at the Chinatown bus stop who don't really arrive until about 12:20 am. I had been awaiting word of their flight/travel plans all day as they were trekking across the U.S. on standby from SF, to attend an event called PapaFest in the Pennsylvania farm country. My friend friend Renata was amidst the bunch! We came home, slept, and then they head off early with Ted to the airport/train station, on their way to the Papa gathering

Thurs.

10:00 am & my first Kindergarten graduation. A serious affair with song performances, slide shows, and tassle-shifting, reception, and lots & lots of pictures and excited parents

Evening & nothing, except for Little Caeser's pizza and a movie with my man. Loved it. Precluded by a phone catch-up with my dear friend Katie.

Friday.

10:30 am & 8th grade graduation. Very moving. Saying good-bye to our thirteen 8th grade graduates. I come home at noon to rest & prep for more goodness.

5pm & church cleaning with cell group, yippee! Nah, the work's not so bad when you get to scrub toilets with Wendy Hilemen by your side, haha. Home to change, cook dinner, and make calls before

7pm & last youth group meeting for the spring. Pizza, birthday cakes, games, rug burns and reminiscing. Not too shabby. Then,

9pm & good-bye party for friends Andy and Jodie around the corner from the church, but what? They had already left the party just 4 minutes before we got there! We stayed to chat with the others for 20 minutes... which really turned into 1.5 hours. Whoops, when Hannah starts texting wondering where we are...

11pm & late-comers to the "game night" at Josh and Hannah's house, partly in honor of our visiting friend Chris who moved out to Wisconsin to join InterVarsity staff a year ago. Looked like people were going to bed, but they stayed up and chatted with us for another hour or so anyways -- no games, but good times nonetheless.

Saturday.

12pm & Farmer's Market in HP and then scooting off to Burlington, New Jersey for what? A 40-minute meet-up with Gina which includes going to a Victoria's Secret in a ghetto mall and then picking Yuan and her boyfriend up just in time (or late, whichever) to head off to Flushing, Queens. Wawa stop, Tom Tom directions, and then about 3 hours of halted progress...

6pm & wedding and banquet reception at the Linden Place Chinese banquet hall. Incredible. Yes, there was glitter and lights, beautiful wedding party and service, and food; yes, there was food. 13 courses: eel, jellyfish, seaweed, fish, lobster, shrimp, shark fin soup, octopus, abalone, chicken, steak... and at that point it was 11pm, and we decided to leave, after some dancing of course. The 4 hours of traffic on the way home was a blast ;)

Sunday.

10am & church, sigh. Some Sabbath rest and corn on the cob, and then, a drive to the airport for a 2-hour chat with Renata outside of security before she headed out on her stand-by flight, back to SF. Wonderful time.

Ted and I are facing a decision: well, I don't feel like it's a real decision we can make.

We got turned down for a position that seemed like a great fit in Haiti. If we had been selected, that would have meant us relocating to Port-Au-Prince for at least 3 years. To be geared up for accepting the position, and then to not receive it, was a let down for sure -- they had told us we had a good chance of getting the job.

Not getting this job, mixed with a variety of other reasons, has led us both to wonder whether Haiti is indeed meant to fall in our immediate future. I personally do not know the answer to that question, but it's a question that has been surfacing ever so subtly for some time.

When I have had moments of feeling drawn towards the potential of relationships and ministry here in Philadelphia, I have wondered about the passion we have both felt at differing times about returning to Haiti. When that passion has felt dull, I attribute it mostly to distance and the fact that I have not been immersed with the Haitian population in Philadelphia in order to keep Haiti close.

I have also been reflecting on a tension I feel between the local and international. While my heart has been drawn overseas - "to the nations" - on and off for some time, I feel that we're in a place right now where the emphasis is on local expressions of mission - urban missions, in particular. A spirit of being "sent" overseas has not been fostered here in the same ways I felt it fostered in college -- through programs like Perspectives and missionaries' presentations at church. This has me wondering: how much does place matter?

People seem to de-emphasize the importance of place now, saying that it doesn't matter so much where we are situated, but how we are living out the Gospel wherever we are. Now, I do feel the importance of that sentiment, and I think it encourages good perspective, especially for those in my generation who may fret excessively over finding the perfect "direction" and "meaning" for our lives. But, what about calling? What role can and should that play ... how does calling enter into and alter our lives (by, say, a major move to a foreign country -- something longer than a mission trip) ? And, how is calling to be fostered in the longer-term if, for some reason, it's not meant to be acted upon right away ?

While I could feel like we're at at a fork in the road right now where one direction needs to be chosen over another (Haiti or Philadelphia), I instead am trying not to see two divergent paths. A friend helped by saying recently: "God does not call us to opposing things." So, while our hearts may flutter and dream when thinking of Haiti, we may also see some of the good here: maybe things that we need that we are only vaguely aware of ourselves, things God knows of that we don't.

So I guess what I'm saying here is what if both those things were on our one path? God knows, not us, the proper order of things. The real decision here seems to be whether we will wait and really trust in Him even if that means we feel like we might feel like we're skipping by an important dream. God will fulfill all, and maybe our dreams need to be more fully His -- submitted to Him.

Now it's this step-by-step -- wanting to get back into the Lord's presence to present our hearts to Him and seek direction, and counsel. We'll see.

saintly sayings

In a book I'm reading, The Cloister Walk, I pulled out these two quotes from a 13th century saint:

Of the heavenly things God has shown me, I can speak but a little word, no more than a honeybee can carry away on its foot from an overflowing jar.

What we know is as nothing, if we do not love God properly in all things.

--Mechtild of Madgeburg

As to the second quote, I am so not there yet Mechtild, but I love it. Yes.

thoughts, they scatter

I had a great conversation with a friend this afternoon. I can often spill out what is on my heart with this friend and she catches each thought mid-air and receives it, adding dashes of clarity and wisdom as she recounts what I've said.

I just felt like putting a picture of a dandelion here. I think the spinning seeds drifting off the plant gave me an image I was looking for. I can have a whirl of heavy thoughts impressing upon me all at once, but even as they stir unsettled in my mind, I can see feel some peace and assurance knowing that each means something and each will go somewhere. Even if the process looks confusing, it's not ultimately.

change is happening right here

I now work at Hunting Park Christian Academy. It is a private school right in my neighborhood, staffed by committed individuals with a heart for seeing positive change in the lives of Philadelphian youth. The school started taking shape over 12 years ago, and it now serves 200 kids with a quality education. More than that, the youth at HPCA benefit from a close-knit network of caring relationships - with the staff, with each other, as well as their wider community. I love being a part of this ministry. I love that God is doing all of this right here.

on the line

I think yesterday I started to understand something about the ministries I'm involved in and how I view life and the Gospel. For a time, I have been drawn to certain activities because I recognize something uniquely heavenly about them. Values that I know belong to God's Kingdom:

Community

Diversity

Simplicity.... downward mobility

I see, and I want to be involved. With my gradual involvement though comes something unwelcome-- that is, anxiety. I'm out of my element. What do I do, amidst diversity - in a space that is really not my own?

Christ.

Then I see someone without my outward markings, my visual statements of movement... I see them love. They touch, transform, genuinely... And I am confounded. Why? How?

Out of the fullness that is within them!

What if I just take me, as I am, and care only for the Gospel? Then what will happen... I will love Christ's beauty and be drawn towards His heart. I will adore Him in praise and worship, and the world will love and see.

That is a bold statement for me. But I think I know that all that is worth having and knowing is found in Him - not separate from it but within. I must look to the Maker for all. I cannot pick the pieces out.

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord

O Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is [forgiveness];

therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is [unfailing love]

and with him is [full redemption.]

He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Lamentations 3:22-3

It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness we are not consumed,

because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

great and abundant is your stability and faithfulness.

first, second...

Sitting on a sofa in a cozy, ecclectic cafe in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood. This is a good place to be. Sipping chai, with husband in tow. Yes, this is good. Though, there are many things in my life that are not sorted and situated right now, I can say that I like this. I appreciate these moments.

I don't know why coffee shops have always been a comforting, sought after space for me. E Street in Encinitas, Chamonix or Mishka's in Davis, Higher Grounds in Northern Liberties - they have been good "third places" for some deep reflection, soothing drinks, and great conversations and connection.

The idea of a "third place" has been floating around in our dialogue these past couple of months - as discussion of opening a coffee shop in Philly has blossomed and our much bemoaned lack of a "third place" in Port-au-Prince kept us pining for any place to get away.

One such place inspired me even more. Our holiday visit to the greater Seattle area led us to this establishment one day: Third Place Books is home to not only a new and used bookstore, but multiple food vendors, a print shop, and a stage for community productions and a play area for kids. Very cool: a place with the mission of not only giving people a space to 'get away' but also to foster conversation and community. Mwen renmen li anpil.

So, here's to our "third places," treasures wherever they can be found. (I will note, it'd be nice if the drinks at my third places weren't so darned expensive though. Ted would probably appreciate that too.)

Coming back and going to ... ?

There is a stillness and encroaching sadness in me. As our days since being in Haiti increase in number, I feel further from our friends, further from those experiences, and it has only been a little over a week.

Part of this is compounded by the fact that we're 3,000 miles away from our home base of Philly for the holiday, which is also that many miles further from Haiti and some of the reminders of our time there. Computer access is more spotty, and my cell access is limited now that my charger is resting in our old room in Port-Au-Prince. ;) There is also a general malaise of the day, another factor in my mood perhaps.

How to make Haiti feel close - and with this, how to look forward in tangible ways to what God is moving in us and drawing us towards. I don't even know why I ask "how" anymore. Because I don't think it's a very good question when it comes to matters like these ... Yes Ted and I like to think about ways to continue to be connected to our life in Haiti, but whatever connections remain, wherever growth occurs and new life is born will be a gift of the Spirit. Am I being passive? Am I being pessimistic about what is here because of the tinges of melancholy I am feeling? I don't think so ... I just want to remain in Him. John 15.

Let that continue to be in my eyes and heart the most worthwhile endeavor.

Evelyn.

We all need our heroes, right? I've never felt that I had one or two particular heroes per se - that always seemed like such a loaded title - but, I do think that the church is an amazing source of role models and great inspirations in the faith. I was a given book several years ago called From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya. It is basically a history of missions, a book of role models - hundreds of pages filled with great men and women who served God boldly.

One of my recent role models is a woman at our church, Evelyn. Evelyn is in her eighties, and she has probably lived in this neighborhood the longest of anyone. Hunting Park was originally a German community, which is not surprising because we are direct neighbors to the old city of Germantown. Evelyn is one of the few remaining of the original German population; she is certainly a minority in this predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood. She has stayed all these years, despite the changes that have taken place.

Evelyn walks with the support of a cane. Just a few days after the earthquake in Haiti, she came knocking on our door. We probably live about 5 or 6 blocks from her house, yet she had made it to our street on a cold wintry day, and it turns out she was going door-to-door, collecting donations for Haiti. She came inside, complaining of how tired she felt and how all of this walking made her feel like she was fighting in the Vietnam War (ha :), yet so resolute in the work she was doing. She continued on her way after only a minute or two of reprieve.

Evelyn is amazing. What an inspiration and a challenge.

Neighborhood Clinic.

Ok, I'm not sure where to start with this one. Some of you know that I was experiencing some chest pains these past few weeks. The pain increased on Monday, so I hurried to make a doctor's appointment as soon as I could. I finally found an appointment for today (Thursday) at a clinic that happens to be right in my neighborhood...

The Hunting Park medical clinic is right on the edge of the park itself. I arrived 15 minutes early for my appointment and approached the heavily graffitied building. Strange sign #1 (SS1). After walking through the caged door (SS2) and then the normal door, I found myself in a waiting room. The "pharmacy" was a window on the left, and the patient check-in was about fifty feet in front of me, beyond the seating area. I quickly noticed that the pharmacy, while stocked with some basic over-the-counter drugs, mostly contained corner store items such as soda, a variety of potato chips, and candy (SS3,4,5!) The women at the front counter were nice, though I was a bit alarmed to see the other front office workers eating their lunch of Wendys hamburgers and giant Wendys soft drinks. Is health a real value among the clinical staff here? (SS6)

Because I had never met with this doctor, or been to this clinic, I had the standard patient profile forms to fill out before I could see the PA. I began filling in the blanks and applying my signature where needed - a fairly easy process - when I came to a series of new and unusual questions. Examples:

Do you wear your seat belt while driving?

Do you keep a gun in your home, and if so does it have a safety lock, and is

it out of your children's reach?

Are you in a relationship where your partner hits you?

Are you afraid of your partner?

Do you have a living will? (SS7)

The questions went on, but I am currently forgetting most of them. The clinical staff were certainly surprised to see me there. One of the women at the front desk was having a hard time verifying my insurance by phone - which is not unusual because my insurance provider is fickle and confusing, and fickle (boo). After establishing that I went to school way out in the suburbs, and probably noticing that I didn't quite "belong," she asked "just what part of Philadelphia are you from?" She seemed to perk up when she found out that I live right around the corner on Franklin St.

My insurance provider ended up telling the front desk employee information about my coverage that contradicted the information they gave me on Monday; therefore, I was thoroughly frustrated by the time I entered the examine room. Was this appointment going to be a total wash; on top of that, is it going to cost me way more than my $20 co-pay? The staff worker who escorted me to my room remained in a corner of the hallway for about 10 minutes, playing on her iPhone (SS8).

Alas, the amazing part is that the PA was so incredibly kind and attentive. She was the nicest, sweetest woman ever (whose husband is also studying for his masters in International Development), and she made sure to charge me the lowest fee when I shared with her my concerns regarding my health insurance, even though appointments for chest problems are usually charged the highest rate. "I'll do anything for students," she said. She encouraged me to come see her anytime, and was more than helpful. She also agreed that my chest pains are muscular in nature and not heart-related; she listened to my heart and said that it sounds great.

So, that was my 1 hr. 45 min experience at the neighborhood medical clinic. Granted, the Wendys may have not stuck out to me so much if I hadn't just seen the state of the pharmacy, and if Ted and I had not watched the first half of Food, Inc. last night. But still, that's a lot of SSs, so many that I couldn't not share with you all. Sigh.

Snow Dates & Smoothies

Despite the cold, stormy weather these past few weeks, Mr. Ted and I have still managed to have some creative fun :) Two weeks ago, in order to commemorate our 6 month anniversary , we used a gift card at a great asian fusion restaurant downtown, followed by an excellent afternoon movie. On another morning, after our second huge snow, we shuffled to the Dunkin' Donuts on Fifth Street in our heavy coats and used the last of his gift card to get some tasty, cheap breakfast. (Notice the theme of gift cards. ha!)

So, Dunkin' claims that "America Runs on Dunkin'. However, the OSWALD home now runs on Ted's newest mocha creations and drum roll... smoothies! Yep - we thought we'd give them a try in order to add some fruit to our diet. Turns out that I hate them, and Ted loves them! Hooray for nutrients. Meanwhile, I'm heating a chicken pot pie in the oven... Nutrients can wait till tomorrow :)