Front Porch Challenge – Need Some Help!
Posted: Friday, April 5, 2013 Filed under: 2k13 | Tags: Southern Barton Heights, Richmond, front porch, missional, RVA, community, Northside 2 Comments »Louis and I undoubtedly have THE. BEST. wrap-around front porch ever. Best view of the best neighborhood. EVER. Now that the weather has warmed up, we will find ourselves out there every chance we can get. We refer to it as our front porch ministry. Since we live at an intersection with quite a bit of foot traffic, we get to meet a ton of our neighbors just by sitting outside chillin’ with a drink in hand greeting our friends and neighbors. Sometimes we have music…and Louis and I have been known to dance as well. :) We have created a ton of a unforgettable memories of on that porch as well.
We also have the happiest, best dogs ever. Bella and Wesley love the porch just as much as we do, and we LOVE to have them with us. Wesley, the nearly 15 year old black lab, is not our worry. Bella, the 8-9 year old almost chocolate lab, might as well be 2. With all the feral cats around, she will bound off the porch before you know it, which doesn’t make for a very peaceful night when we are constantly saying…No, Bella. And we find ourselves a bit more stressed than we need to be.
So, here’s the challenge. Note in the pictures below the set up of our porch. We need a creative, tasteful, inexpensive, simple, portable, easy-to-store, way to contain the dogs on the porch while we are out there. You might say…simple! Get a leash. Well…not so simple. Bella will chew through it in about 10 seconds flat – which won’t end up being very inexpensive after we replace it over and over again.
So, any ideas???
happiest best dogs ever
the entrance – steps
across the street
from the front to the left
from the front to the right
from the side
LouDawg Does It Again!
Posted: Friday, June 1, 2012 Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: barton heights, Birthday, community, cookout, grilled chicken, Memorial Day, Movement Church, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights Comments OffAs usual, LouDawg’s Grilled Chicken (about 80 lbs!!!) was a huge hit at our Annual Community Memorial Day Cookout for Southern Barton Heights. Although we’ve done this for years, we just started tracking numbers. 3 years ago, we had about 40 people. Last year, we hosted about 60. I was super surprised and thrilled when about 100 people showed up over the 4 hours! I couldn’t have been happier! It was a great time of getting to know our neighbors and friends.
We were thrilled when we connected with a small group from Movement Church who sacrificed their time to help us! They were amazing! Not only did they bring side dishes, but they also came early to help set up. They organized games for the kids in our neighbor’s yard….because when we had a ton of people in the yard, it got a little tight, needless to say. Our total yard is only .14 of an acre, so the back yard is 1/2 of that. And then…the guys, TC and Matt, hung out to help us tear down, along with Chucky, David and Khalil. Our neighbors were great…contributing to the meal, helping to clean up afterwards, etc. Brian, Christy and Joy were AMAZING in the kitchen!
I have mixed feelings about the day. On one hand I was sad, when I heard someone warmly say, “I’ve never experienced anything like this. This is great!” Another new friend said, “I’ve been longing for a sense of community in our neighborhood, and now…I think I finally feel that.” as she connected with neighbors she had never met. Why sad? Because my neighbors have been hungry for community, and haven’t felt it. On the other hand, I’m also thrilled because we are moving in the right direction. Less of us will be disconnected, but now will feel a since of warmth, love and community.
I look forward to continue moving in that direction… As we attempt to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Enjoy the pictures of the day. I guess I should note that we also celebrate my birthday (5.31) each year as well. I was overwhelmed when my old and new friends joined in singing “Happy Birthday to you” in the traditional tune….and then, in the Stevie Wonder style! Thanks to everyone for making my early birthday so special. And…go ahead….mark the day on your calendar for next year when I turn the big 5-0! :)
Back-to-School Prayer Service – Hope You Can Come!
Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Back to School, Commonwealth Chapel, prayer, Richmond, RVA Comments Off
Northside Back to School Community Day
Posted: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Back to School, Community Day, Flying Squirrels, Neighborhood Housing Services, Northside, Nutzy, Richmond Comments Off
Reminder! CCDA Cafe
Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Cafe, CCDA, Christian Community Development, East End Fellowship, Making a Melody, Richmond, RVA Comments OffJust a quick reminder: CCDA Cafe tomorrow, Wednesday, June 30 at 6:30p. Hope to see you there! Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Thanks!
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to an unexpected response, we have obtained a larger location. What a wonderful problem to solve! I could not be more thrilled. Thanks to Northminster for letting us use your space! New .pdf is located below.
New Location:
Northminster Church 3121 Moss Side AvenueRichmond, VA 23222
If you want this doc in a .pdf format, check this link - CCDA Cafe Richmond Flyer – New Location.
Is Richmond Important to God?
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: 2010, cape town, city, contextual, Diversity, Lausanne Movement, missional, Richmond, Tim Keller, urban mission Comments OffTake a listen…and see how God answers this question as He speaks through Tim Keller. You know….there is nothing else I can say or add to this video at this time. I probably need to listen to it about 100 more times to fully comprehend what God is saying to me through Tim Keller during this short (about 17 minutes) video. Thankfully there is a related white paper for the Lausanne Movement in Cape Town 2010 available here. As I head out to the hair salon in a couple of minutes, I will take the paper version to read, re-read and highlight. And pray expectantly…that I hear more from the Lord as I do.
What is God’s Global Urban Mission? from Redeemer City to City on Vimeo.
This SATURDAY…. Waiting for ‘Superman’
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: documentary, public school, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Virginia, Waiting for Superman Comments Off
“WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” is a film that we made for and about kids who are struggling to get a great education and their parents who are doing everything they can to ensure that they get it. As you know, this is a dauntingly complex problem. There are many factors that led to the current state of our nation’s education system and there are many ways to put it back on the path to success. Reform will look different in each community, and it will take a variety of actions at all levels of society to make lasting change.”
Davis Guggenheim, Director and Lesley Chilcott, Producer
You are invited to view and discuss this documentary at our home. Let’s talk about how we can make a difference in the lives of the kids in our community. Here’s the 411:
Saturday, June 25
6pm – 9pm
Miss Marti’s House 2101 Barton AveContact: Shonda Harris-Muhammed foxinthebox1908@comcast.net
Look forward to seeing you! Remember to RSVP to my friend and neighbor, Shonda Harris-Muhammed at the email address above.
You’re Invited! CCDA Cafe
Posted: Thursday, June 9, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: Cafe, CCDA, Christian Community Development, East End Fellowship, Making a Melody, Richmond, RVA Comments OffPLEASE NOTE:
Due to an unexpected response, we have obtained a larger location. What a wonderful problem to solve! I could not be more thrilled. Thanks to Northminster for letting us use your space! New .pdf is located below.
New Location:
Northminster Church 3121 Moss Side AvenueRichmond, VA 23222
If you want this doc in a .pdf format, check this link - CCDA Cafe Richmond Flyer – New Location.
Change of Date: Waiting for ‘Superman’
Posted: Saturday, May 21, 2011 Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: documentary, public school, Richmond, RVA, Southern Barton Heights, Virginia, Waiting for Superman Comments OffPlease note the change of date due to illness…..
“WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” is a film that we made for and about kids who are struggling to get a great education and their parents who are doing everything they can to ensure that they get it. As you know, this is a dauntingly complex problem. There are many factors that led to the current state of our nation’s education system and there are many ways to put it back on the path to success. Reform will look different in each community, and it will take a variety of actions at all levels of society to make lasting change.”
Davis Guggenheim, Director and Lesley Chilcott, Producer
You are invited to view and discuss this documentary at our home. Let’s talk about how we can make a difference in the lives of the kids in our community. Here’s the 411:
Saturday, May 21st Saturday, June 25
6pm – 9pm
Miss Marti’s House 2101 Barton AveContact: Shonda Harris-Muhammed foxinthebox1908@comcast.net
Look forward to seeing you! Remember to RSVP to my friend and neighbor, Shonda Harris-Muhammed at the email address above.
