Update

We've lived in SLU for almost four months now. Here's what we're up to:

-developing a website that helps families connect with families in and around the neighborhood

-working with the Cascade People's Center about the prospect of reviving the after school program, with a new twist--include homeschoolers and set it up to function democratically

-saying hi to people on the street--construction workers, neighbors, workers, etc.

-showing up at neighborhood planning meetings and with stakeholders along with our "indicator species" (aka--children)

-going to Cascade playground frequently and asking people, "do you live around around here?"

-devising a way to help connect Union with the needs of the neighborhood

-walking down ugly streets and imagining how they could be nicer

-reading Blomberg's Jesus and the Gospels (+ accompanying scripture) and having folks from Dust (and hopefully some from Union soon, too) come over weekly to discuss/unpack/fellowship

-wondering how we could welcome the stranger (literally, into our guest room) in a way that works for everyone

-visiting neighborhood churches with an eye for church unity

-shopping at local businesses and asking things like, "How long have you been here?" and "How's business changed over the past few years?"

-frequenting our (awesome) hardware store (to make our apartment more functional)