Mica Paris - Where Is The Love

Where Is The Love?
Entry by DP....

I was struck by the following quote by John Frye this evening: "A church is too large when its size distracts us from practical, nitty gritty love. When all the energies are directed into "growing" rather than into "loving," the church has become an idol." This is the constant struggle that we face as followers of Jesus, the tension between discipleship and evangelism. They are not mutually exclusive endeavors, but I think Frye is right in pointing out the increasingly misplaced worship of church growth over the love of one another and the worship of God. What do you think?

Labor Day Weekend - Sept. 3, 2007 (Volant, PA)

We went up to Dylan's grandfather's farm house in Volant, PA to deposit some of our packed boxes - mostly his books. Later, Dylan went golfing with his buddies - his going-away hoorah with the boys. Rather than feeling like a golf widow, I rejoiced!!! :-) Time to roam around Volant - something I've been wanting to do for a year now! You see, every time we would go up to Volant, we were on a mission - to visit mom&dad&Darcy(sis) and/or to get some errands done, then it's back to Pittsburgh to prepare (sermon) for Sunday. Volant is such a quaint little town (you'll see in the pictures). If you love antiquing, you MUST visit this little town - yes, the tourist board for Volant paid me to say this - j/k. Volant is also known as an Amish country. I did the unthinkable and took some of their pictures - sssshhhhh....Anyway, the other reason I love going up to Volant is to visit my horses!!! Ok....so technically, it belongs to the Potter family but in my mind they are mine! I am sure they recognise me every time I am up there - the crazy girl screaming "haaaaiiiiii" out of the window as we drive up the drive way and "goodbyyyyiiiieeeeeee" as we leave. Dylan insists they don't know me - I beg to differ. The run up to me every time whenever I call out to them! I have fed them carrots and apples, talked to them....how can they not remember me? Aren't they just adorable? :-)

Why are we going to Scotland you asked....???

Well, I guess that should have been my first entry to this blog eh? My apologies for those of you who are just catching up with the Potters' drama! Or should I say Journey of Life? Aaaahhh.....hence the title of this journal. :-) Anyway, short story long, we have decided that Dylan pursuing a PhD, which then allows him the option to teach at a university level (either a Religion class or at a seminary), is the best investment we can make for our future at this point in our lives. What is Dylan studying you ask? Systematic Theology - Angelology. Yes, it's a mouth-full! Basically, it's the study of Angels. Why Scotland? Well, first (there really is no order of reasons!) it's because he wants to study under Professor Brown. Second, the UK offers a 3-year program vs. a 5-year program in the US. As you get older, you start to realize that you cannot place a value on time - years saved. It's kind of like the Master Card commercial -- "PhD program - $xxxx, Plane tickets to get there $xxxx, Years saved - priceless!". :-) Plus, we really would like to experience living abroad while we can (before it gets complicated with older children - God willing!). I know that sounds a bit strange given the fact that I am technically living abroad!! ha ha....Well, it sort of cancels out once you've lived in a place for more than 10 years, don't you think? So, here we are, off to Scotland in less than 2 weeks....

What's for dinner at the Potter household?

Hey youn'z! If you are in search of a new recipe, try this. It's called a Lettuce-less Salad. If you have a lot of salad accessories but have limited lettuce, and you are moving abroad in a couple of weeks and you don't want to get more groceries if you can help it, try this! It takes a little while to prepare because you have to chop everything into a "cube" form. Ingredients consist of carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, corn, feta cheese, sesame seeds, fresh (key) finely chopped garlic. You can really use anything you like but the crunchier, the better. :-) I added peanuts to it as well. Dressing used -- Newman's Low-fat Sesame Ginger salad dressing. Stir it up and you are good to go. One suggestion - eat with a spoon! And if you accompany your Lettuce-less Salad with soup, you'll only need a spoon! :-) Yummy! Enjoy!

I finally have a blog!!!

I have always wanted to have my own little blog, just to get my voice out there (I have a lot to say!!) like everyone else but I never invested the time or energy. So why not now when I am super busy in the middle of a huge move to Scotland!!??! Anyway, the biggest motivation to get this up and running run is so that I can share with all of you the journey of my life (in general and in ministry). Since I am not quite there (Scotland) yet, I will share with you some pictures of my life in Pittsburgh from this past year. These are pictures that I have taken recently at the annual church pool party as well as a ladies night out at the church. These are the (fondly known as) sheep God has entrusted to us for a little while . :-)



Isn't she cute??:-) Mother and daugher...aaww.... Debbie is our up the street neighbour (far left)...she's the epitome of the old American movie neighbour - you can run up to her house and borrow salt or flour or hair dryer anytime!! She'll bring us tomatoes, cucumber etc. during the summer.... ha ha ha...

The state of our house...

If you are wondering how is this neat freak handling the chaos of a move - barely. This too shall come to pass.....:-)