This website really isn’t about gifts that I recieve. And just because the last two posts are about such things, don’t think that I’m spending a lot of time receiving gifts and writing about just a few of them. At least not in the material sense. I was given a gift Friday when a staff member came to me at the end of the day a bit nervously wanting to talk through something that upset her in our staff meeting. Her desire to discuss it and find reconciliation was a real gift. The two little tiny dudes that ran alongside the jeep on the way home from work Friday grinning and waving at me while one of them was having a hard time keeping his pants up… the view across the river right this moment in warm morning light, colors muted by a hint of unpolluted haze… finding out that I have colleagues coming for a brief visit this week… all great gifts. In some ways it wasn’t an easy week for me and yet from about 3:00 PM Friday to this moment, things have gotten better. There have been many small blessings, and one clucking gift.
Yesterday was without a doubt a small milestone in my life. Pastor Andre sent the gift of a live rooster for me. Now I’ve heard of the anxiety some feel when presented a gift in front of others, they are worried about the all-important reaction and whether it will betray their true feelings. I’d love to have seen my expression when I looked in that plastic sack and saw the rooster looking right back up at me. Before knowing the gift was poultry, I made some joke about it being a guinea pig since the pastor’s boy raises them for meat. Little did I know that it was in fact a live animal! I’m sure that my reaction expressed both surprise and gratitude. I am very thankful for the gift and I am sad that I didn’t have my camera. The rooster is now in the fridge (much less photogenic at this stage) and I’ll cook it when my guests arrive later this week. Chicken recipes anyone?
Congratulations on the rooster. I don’t have any recipes for you, but I’m sure you’ll cook it wonderfully.
Reading your blog tonight made me think of the conversation that we had over games of Cribbage and Scrabble. Those were good times.
Hey, Brian! I was just catching up on your last few blog entries. It’s always a pleasure to read about your life in Africa. I bet Rooster Parmesan would be tasty.
Jon and I are doing well - just getting back into the school routine. I’ve been teaching ENG 110 at UMKC for the past two weeks, and I’m loving that. I already feel attached to my students though… I worry about them if they don’t show up!
Jon will start teaching Greek at NTS next week. It’s cool to have such good teaching opportunities while we’re working on our MA’s. We’re pretty blessed.
Kansas City has decided to give up the humidity and heat. Last weekend it rained, and it’s been a cool autumn ever since. I’m enjoying the change, and I can’t wait for the leaves to change. Last year was my first real fall, and I was amazed by it. I’m sure it will hold just as much wonder for me this time around.
Peace to you, my friend. Jon and I miss and love you a lot, and we look forward to the day when our paths will cross again.
Katie
How about chicken and dumplings?