'Tis the season for online shopping...

So I must have spent the past few post-Black Friday "Cyber Mondays" hiding under a rock, because this is the first year I'm hearing about it. Actually, come to think of it, last year was the first time I'd heard the term "Black Friday" and I learned it from some Chinese students who were new to the U.S. And, come to think of it, we have been out of the country for three of the last four Thanksgivings so...mystery solved! No wonder I'm so behind the times. It's the same reason my parents don't always get references to 80's TV shows-- "we missed the 80's," my mom is prone to say. Of course, my sister lives overseas now and often knows more about U.S. news and pop culture than I do, so that's how much technology has changed things. Thank you, technology!
And on that note... my yearly plug for a cool cyber fair trade shop for all of your Christmas gift needs. www.tenthousandvillages.com is an old favorite, mostly because of its association with the Mennonite Church, my favorite publisher of cookbooks. Seriously, give them a try sometime (the site and the cookbooks). My new favorite site on the scene, though, is www.buildanest.com This one's gotten a lot of press recently and for good reason. I like it because the founder is an M.S.W. who decided to put her social work skills to good use by providing micro-finance loans to female artists in the developing world, connecting them with the funds to run their businesses and connecting the people with money with beautiful merchandise from around the world. Christmas isn't all about the gifts, of course, but isn't it nice that you can do your shopping and do some good at the same time? Enjoy your Cyber Monday!

I know...I know...

We've been horrible bloggers. Rest assured we are still alive and trust that life in New York has been a big blessing to us. We have learned a lot, and continue to learn more about this city, ourselves, our faith, and our weaknesses.

October and September were whirlwind months. All Kelly will let me say is that she is doing well in school. Mark is getting more and more used to working for the man, living life in corporate culture, and is starting to build friendships not only between himself and his coworkers, but also between fellow coworkers. Since the corporate world can be like a social tundra, Mark has instituted the first Time Warner Freelancers Bocce League which has helped thaw some of the ice around the office. He's hoping eventually, through Bocce, people will actually talk to each other....wish him luck.

Here are some picture highlights from our recent trip to The Cloisters...

Amazing Neighborhood Churches, Part I: St. John the Divine

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a thing for churches. I especially love big, beautiful ones with heaps of history. Luckily, our quaint borough here in Manhattan has an inordinate amount of exceptional churches and I'm making it my goal to visit every single one. Despite all the deep affection I feel for auditoriums and fellowship halls, I sometimes wonder how I've made it in the Churches of Christ all these years. Of course I realize God cannot be enshrined in buildings and material riches are of no real value for Him. However, it is difficult to walk into a sacred space in which generations of believers have toiled, lived and died for the glory of God and not feel in some way closer, more introspective, more worshipful.

Of course, no church is perfect. Ideally there would be a kitchen just beyond the nave with piping hot green bean casserole topped with fried onions and a side of incredible Christian hospitality found so abundantly in my Christian tradition. But there isn't. (Trust me, I've looked.) In the conversation of Christianity that is world-wide and history-deep, each church and each fellowship has something unique to add. These different voices remind us that in our zeal to emphasize one facet of Christian life, we sometimes neglect others. To witness and hear these different voices often calls us to appreciate God, and his people, in a bigger, fuller way. In the case of St. John the Divine reverence and awe are their part of the conversation and the church displays theses characteristics of God, and the human response to God, beautifully. Here are some pictures.

Life in NY, a photo essay...

Starting Monday, my little student will be starting her practicum in the Bronx. She is a bit nervous, but I know she will do great! Wish her luck.



A rare empty subway tunnel. The tracks are often under repair and this past weekend I arrived at a nearly deserted station on my way to the U.N. I swear, just down the tunnel, I saw these guys running around...minus Barbara Walters.



Our apartment is on the yuppie side of the hill from Harlem. I really love Harlem. There is always some rally (usually anti-Columbia University expansion) or other ruckus going on. Here is a shot of the famed Apollo Theatre. There have been so many legendary performances here...I can't believe we're just a 20 minute walk away.



Friday nights are free at the Museum of Modern Art. New York provides a plethora of cheap and/or free activities for people to do which, given our financial situation, is most appreciated. For our weekly date, we paired a free trip to MOMA (the outdoor garden at MOMA is featured in the picture below) with the two hotdogs, two drinks "recession special" at the famous hotdog joint Gray's Papaya. Being poor never looked/tasted so good.



I think in addition to our weekly update, I might start a new feature on the blog called, "Mark's favorite church of the week review" where I go around highlighting the awe inspiring houses of worship in Manhattan. Stay tuned for that. In the meantime, this is St.Bartholomew's Church on the lower east side. Isn't she lovely?



St. Bart's outdoor cafe. Grace might be free, but an entree here will set you back 35 bucks.



The UN. It has always been a dream of mine to be here. The following photos are taken around the UN building and the surrounding neighborhood known as "UN Way". Walking around you can see people of every nation, tribe and tongue living life here in America.

Weekend update...

Sunday outdoor market in the shadow of the Chrysler building. B&W for added effect and in honor of Rusty Woods...



Flag in Grand Central Station.



We were blessed to be in town for the Wishing Well documentary premier. It was good to see some folks from OC and our old friends, the Groves, that we have not seen in years. The documentary was very well done, although the real highlight of the show was the Harlem Boys and Girls Choir. All in all, it was a great experience and OC was well represented.




Finally, on Sunday, we had the chance of meeting up with our dear friends from our Pepperdine/Heidelberg days. These are THE two nicest people in the world. Bar none. New York is such a wonderful place to reconnect with people!

Another weekend in the big apple...

Today we went to the annual Brazilian Day party on 46th street. 46th and Avenue of the Americas is the "little Brazil" neighborhood of Manhattan and features all three Brazilian cultural staples: feijoada buffets, nail salons, and year round swim suit shops.


Today was the ritual cleansing of 46th street by NYC's own troop of Baianas. I'd love to explain exactly what a Baiana is, but I know it will only result in an epic failure. You can ask Dr. Bob Carpenter to explain it in full next time you see him.



Here is a picture of one of the entertainers. This guy was awesome! Everyone was samba dancing, waving Brazilian flags and hugging the nearest Baiana!


Of course, this being a Brazilian party, once you start feeling the music you can't help but take your shirt and headdress off and find a drum to bang on!


After dancing the afternoon away, Kelly and I felt like this child. I actually carried Kelly back to the upper west side in exactly the same fashion. Minus, of course, the cool Bahia hat emblazoned with the slogan "The land of all us".

A day with friends....

All,

On Saturday we were treated with the pleasure of seeing some long time friends from Pepperdine. Our good friend Tyson (Kelly's former ministry intern partner in campus ministry) was in town from L.A. We were also joined by Becky (another campus ministry friend) who now lives here in Manhattan and works in the Bronx as a nurse and Wendy, our dear friend from Heidelberg days, who now works at a very posh Spanish bank here in Manhattan. We spent the entire day with them eating fantastic New York fare and seeing the sights. After two weeks of feeling lonely here we were so happy to have some extra company and some veteran insight to living in New York. It's hard to describe how wonderful it was to see these amazing, beloved people. I'm sure everyone who has been to college has a special bond with their fellow alumni, however there is something profound and distinctive about our Pepperdine relationships that is difficult to relate in words yet we feel its real significance in our hearts. We feel grateful to have been a part of a chapter in the lives of these wonderful and unique people and are thankful to our Alma Mater for bringing us all together!

Pictures:
#1-From Left: Wendy, Kelly, Tyson and Becky on Brooklyn Bridge.
#2-Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn Bridge.
#3-Central Park view from BBVA's (Wendy's bank)conference room.

Our apartment...

Our apartment living room and kitchen...







Our view...

Our Neighborhood....

This is our building! (brown building on the left)



Our street...






East gate of Columbia University....



Waiting out the rain at St. Paul's chapel (Columbia University)....



St. Paul's Chapel...


Columbia's central mall and library...