one month down, three-ish to go

Yesterday I reached the one month mark of time spent in Philly. I had full intentions of posting this on the actual monthiversary, but I was having some issues with linksys 7, the internet gracious provided for me by my unassuming neighbors. It’s fairly unreliable, but I’m not paying for it, so I can’t complain. It just means that you get the one month update a day late. I apologize for hours of lost sleep that this delay may have caused.

One month in, I’m learning to appreciate certain things about living in the city. Things that I wouldn’t have noticed without spending 30 days in the same place. Things like public transportation (which will receive a full-length post in the near future), propaganda (pictured above), and the fact that everybody has a hoodie, which they utilize daily. Seriously. I feel like an outsider for not having one. That and the fact that I can’t avoid wearing outfits comprised exclusively of varying shades of green.

Conversely, I’m learning to live with the things that I doubt I’ll ever appreciate. Things like a painful lack of any green space (save my clothing), an abundance of trash (including every dirty thing you can imagine and more… I promise), the high cost of groceries, and the smell and hair that are so prevalent all over my house compliments of Auggie. (I had previously referred to him as Oggy, and have since learned the correct spelling.)

[Warning: This post kinda takes an unexpected and slightly unhappy turn here. If you aren't in the mood, skip the following paragraph.]

Another thing I’ve learned after spending a month here is that you should never sign up to do something for four months unless you really believe in it. For the most part, the work I’m having to do for my internship isn’t working towards an end that I really care about. I don’t mind doing menial work for a cause that I truly believe in, but all in all that’s not the case here. I constantly have to remind myself that it (“it” in general, not just internship “it” stuff) is not about me. Colossians 3 and 23 tells me that I have to work diligently for this thing, even though almost no part of me wants to. I may or may not elaborate on the stuff I’m eluding to here in the future, just depends on how things go. But you can consider this an opportunity to pray for ol’ D.O., as I sure could use it (who couldn’t?).

[Ok, back to normal]

This past week my internship found me working for hours on end to create a few things I’d like to share with you guys. They probably don’t seem like much, but think of it as your kid (that may be a stretch… how about your neighbor’s kid) creating something and showing it to you. This map took a solid day and a half to get functioning properly, and this message board took about the same amount of time. Neither of these things have officially launched yet, so go and be one of the first in the world to see ‘em.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t make mention of how faithful the Lord has been in providing me with community here in Philly. I attend a small group on Wednesday nights that is absolutely the most life-giving thing that takes place throughout my week. The people that gather are so honest and real as they corporately explore the depths of the Gospel. It is truly a refreshing time, and I’d like to praise the Provider for allowing me to be a part of such a group in a city where one month ago I knew not a soul. He is good.

Amen and amen.