a quiet week

It seems that our neighborhood has been having a quiet week. At least, I haven't noticed any unusual activity in the hood. This evening driving home from Watts about 9pm, we noticed a couple of LACoSheriff car driving quickly in a purposeful manner and several cars driving more quickly than usual on side streets, so we wondered if something was coming down in the Imperial Courts area.
On one hand I am pleased when things are quiet here in Pueblo. I can rest better with a lower stress level. On the other hand, I wonder what's happening that I don't hear about. Since our street is off the main residential area we don't always know what's happening. The only things of interest on our street today were the neighbor pastor coming over to ask what the code is for the new gate lock and I had to call the neighbor who put it on to ask him; a shirtless older man walked by our gate as I was relocking it when we came home and he said, "Buenos noches, senora." and I replied, "Good evening," in English. The interesting parts about the latter are just that he was shirtless and it is a little cold (why?) and that I responded in English which I usually don't. I think he made me nervous for some reason.
I have to say that I had a wonderful time in Oregon even though the occasion of my visit wasn't joyful except in the sense that my uncle is now happily fully healthy and with Jesus and his wife. I love visiting Oregon and staying with Jim and Julene, who spoiled me with lovely food and a visit to Bonneville Hot Springs Resort. Who wouldn't want to go to Oregon and be treated like a princess?

Intelligent Design and Mortality

I am enjoying my Precepts class in Genesis. As part of discussing Gen. 1, the teacher has been presenting a lot of material about intelligent design and the philosophy of various scholars, both evolutionary and creationist. I'm pleased that I have been able to follow and understand even a part of the discussions and videos. I have been struck by the scientific research and thought of the authors of The Privileged Planet. Can't remember their names. But I have learned a lot in the three weeks of class. In particular, I have been thinking a lot about just how awesome is the Creator God of the universe.

On another note, I heard tonight that my uncle passed away yesterday morning. While I was not particularly close to him, I really like my cousins. And since our Trigg side of the family is very funeral-oriented (meaning everyone in the family thinks it's important for family to attend), I will be flying to Oregon to attend the funeral. It's also a great excuse to go visit my favorite brother.

Will the shootings ever stop?

I found out at small group tonight that there were two murders in Watts last weekend. Evidently the incident was on the news but I missed it. It hits home to me though because the shootings took place in the PJW parking lot closest to the Watts center. That is the parking lot where Jose, Jesua, and Jeder (Heather) and KeJuan live. Four little ones 7 years old or younger. Two people were shot and murdered in view of their front doors. And over what? A car?

God, protect these little ones!

My Cottage in the City

ok, here I am, starting a blog! Hello, all you people out there who care and will read what I'm up to in the inner city.