I had forgotten what it was like being a dad for a new born. My youngest son was born on Saturday night. I have been sketching him a bit, but I prefer to hold him. This morning though I watched him sleep and smile (he was much more safely positioned but this was just a quick sketch so I stuck him on the edge of the couch rather than in his car seat - don't call CFS on me). I didn't know what was going to happen when he finally arrived. We live pretty busy/chaotic lives most of the time. God knew what he was doing. We have received an outpouring of love/hospitality/genorsity/... from the people within our community and friends.

For some people it has been a way back into a friendship that has drifted because of busyness (this city moves too quickly for its own good at times), for others it has been a chance to extend hospitality (I am getting fat[ter] from trying to keep up with the food that has been brought over), and for others it has been a chance to take over a task or duty and that is incredibly welcome also.

This little baby has allowed me to (re)learn to accept grace in my life. That is really saying something because I became very cynical and hard-hearted - not so much towards God as towards His people. An quote often attributed to Augustine is "The church is a whore, but she's my mother." I've never come across it in the writings of Augustine I have read, but the sentiment I have felt. There have been times over the last number of years that I started to wonder about how we can get the church back on board (like its my responsiblity to save the church). This baby, Matthew, has reminded me that the church is the people. It is not so much about structures and governance and all of the stuff we make as it is God's spirit moving in God's people to fulfill God's mission throughout God's creation. Anyways its getting late and I'm rambling. Just know that I have fallen even deeper in love with the church of Jesus Christ in the last few days (and especially the little corner of the kingdom known as SouthGate).

Ehkosit,

Migwec