Friends

I realize that it has been awhile since the last post, but I have good news...I have friends now. And these aren't just the ones at work. I met Lauri and Nathan at church this past Sunday. Lauri is going to Fuller Seminary and Nathan attends Claremont Seminary. Lauri approached me at church and asked if I go to school in Claremont (for some reason this is always the first question I am asked). I told her no, I am a US 2 missionary and she got so excited because she wanted to be a US 2, but the year that she would have applied was the year that there wasn't a class. She invited me to coffee on Tuesday and I have to say it was just nice to have someone to talk to. The next night, a friend of hers from Wesley Seminary in Washington DC was in town, so we had dinner at her and Nathan's apartment. Since they are all seminary students, it was a lot of theological conversation and they said sorry many times, but I told them it was nice to actually hear people talk and not have to talk to myself all the time.

Friday night I met some of their other friends and we went to this Salvadoran restaurant called La Chelona. (See above picture.) It was an interesting experience because other than one girl who was fluent in Spanish, I was the only other one who could talk to the waitress. It was a good experience, even with all of the mis-communication. We then went back to a girl's apartment and just talked. It was mostly catch-up time for the friends and a lot more theological banter.

Lauri works at the Salvation Army and wants me to start teaching GED classes in the Spring. I will earn coupons that they hand out to those that come in for assistance. I am looking forward to that, another thing that I can do to help people. This group of friends is very socially justice oriented. A few weeks ago there was this huge rally for hotel workers and two of the girls were arrested for civil disobedience. While that may never happen to me (but never say never, right?) I think I might have finally found a group of friends that will help me get more aware of the area and more involved in issues that I believe are important.

I am still trying to get my apartment all clean at once so I can post pictures of the apartment. Maybe this coming week. I am also getting excited for several things. One, I get to see my family and a best friend in three weeks -- the countdown has begun. Two, NCAA basketball is beginning soon and that means that March is getting closer!

Grace and Peace!