LouDawg Does It Again!

Posted: Friday, June 1, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on LouDawg Does It Again!

As 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!  🙂

Annual Memorial Day Community Cookout

Posted: Thursday, May 24, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on Annual Memorial Day Community Cookout

Thrilled to host our annual Memorial Day Community Cookout on Monday, May 28th from 4-8pm.  We’ll provide the drinks and grilled chicken courtesy of LouDawg’s Cafe and Grill (aka Louis).  If you can, just bring a side to go with it!  Looking forward to seeing all who can come!  Here’s the post from last year’s cookout…  Memorial Day 2011.

Catchin’ Up!

Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12, CCDA in RVA | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

 

Time flies when you are having fun!  It’s been over a month since I have written….yowza!  So, here’s a quick download….

Shortly after Easter, Louis and I took off to Florida for 12 whole days!  4 days in Miami visiting our good friends – the Mozloom’s.  And we got to love on the kiddos including Louis’s goddaughter!  We also had a day at the beach, a stop at Chocolat Fashion (pure deliciousness), Joe’s Stone Crabs, shopping for deals and good ole family fun time!  Then, we had quick stop in St Petersburg for a wonderful time with our friends Tommy and Diane Nance.  Last stop…Orlando for the Exponential Conference and a few days of fun in the sun…including SeaWorld, Aquatica, and relaxing by the pool.  We also had a lovely visit with long time friends who came to visit while we are there.  It was a much needed time of relaxation and refreshment before we face a lot of new activities.

Since our return, Louis has accepted a calling as the Interim Lead Pastor for New Hanover Presbyterian Church, located just a short 15 minutes up Chamberlayne from where we live.  We are excited to be a part of the NHPC family.  Although we were there 2 Sundays ago, flying below the radar, we will be there officially this Sunday, 5/20.  We praise and thank God for his provision during an uncertain time.  It had been about 5 months since Louis helped his congregation close the church he had last served.

 

Over the last 18 months, I feel like we have been under fire with various health issues in our family, Louis and my own.  Many of these have somewhat distracted us from serving the community we love.  However, we had a time of serving our family, and we have been recipients of such love and grace from our friends and community.  I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.  So, it’s time to get back out on there and meet some of our many new neighbors!  We have much going on…and more to come!!!  Check out our list of summer activities > Summer Fun! The one I am most excited about is hosting Bob Lupton as part of our Christian Community Development ministry!  We are thankful that Bob had time in his calendar to visit Richmond and share his insights.  If you want to hear him speak, check out this link for more information >  Bob Lupton Speaks.


I will try to be more faithful in my writing, but no promises!  :/

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Posted: Sunday, March 4, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on A Walk Down Memory Lane

Nearly 7 years ago, I moved into Southern Barton Heights, and a little over 2 years ago, I started documenting life here on MissMartisHouse.com.  Over the years, I have been asked many times “How did you end up living in the inner city?” So, I thought I would list the posts that tell that story and some from the first couple of years.  Enjoy my Walk Down Memory Lane…..

in the beginning…
Daring God
our house…is a very very very fine house…
The Chair
Forgive Me…
This little light of mine…
Reflections from Tuesday’s earlier post…
Lookin’ to the Hills
Don, Luke, Jesus & Marti
Lambs Among Wolves
A Barber, a Yoke and a…. Part 1
A Barber, a Yoke and a Baptism Part 2

Thanks for reading over the last 2 years. I really appreciate it! I hope you find it encouraging….that you, too, can live an incarnational life.  It doesn’t have to be in the inner-city, but can be right where you are or hang out….at the gym, in your apartment building, in your suburban home, at the PTA, in your country village. It doesn’t matter. You know…Jesus gave us a great example during his life here on earth.  The best example ever! Hopefully you can see His impact through my life.


Dying to Live!

Posted: Friday, January 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12, Frank | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“There is nothing worth living for, unless it is worth dying for.”


Elisabeth Elliot, wife of Jim Elliot, missionary to Waodani people of Ecuador

I moved to SBH almost 7 years ago.  I had no idea what God was going to do, or why I was called to live here.  In the first few years, a few things went awry…small items stolen from the yard, neighborhood kids presented minor challenges, etc. However some more challenging things occurred as well, like my car being stolen – what the police suspected was gang initiation because a bunch of Altimas got stolen that night and car windows being shot out on another occasion when kids were having a bit too much fun with a bee-bee gun.  During these times, friends and family challenged me about my decision to move here.  Others asked if I was moving out.  Of course, there wasn’t a chance I was leaving.  The good outweighs the bad.

Nothing was more challenging than the night a man got shot 9 times outside my back door…on my 4th date with Louis.  I didn’t know him, but after the scene was clear, Louis and I responded with first aid, encouragement, prayers and the gift of presence.  I am happy to say that Frank didn’t die in the street that night, but lived.  That was 4 years ago to the day….January 27, 2008 at 8:30pm.  I am sorry that Frank was shot that day.  But, grateful that we were there and sooo appreciate the friendship we have developed since.  I can now say we are family.

While still in the hospital, Frank asked me if I was going to move.  He reminded me that not only was he shot 9 times, but that a bullet also went into my home.  The hole is still in the wall actually.  I’m not sure why we don’t fix it.  It’s like this constant reminder at the bottom of our steps.  If we had moved, who would have been there the night that Frank got shot? Who would have given him First Aid when everyone else ran? It reminds me that we do make a difference, even when things seem hard.  God loves Frank so much that we found ourselves cooking on the grill that night instead of going out.  He loves this community so much that the neighborhood kids were safely in the house that night, instead of being dropped off after Youth Group at 8:30, their normal time.  God is in the midst.  Even when I may doubt, there is no doubt.

If it’s not worth dying for, it’s not worth living for.  There are a lot of other things we could be doing, a lot of other places we could live.  But, this is where God has called us, and this is where we shall stay until God calls us some place else.

Especially after the last week, I am reminded again of how we are being used by God.  I am thankful for the many opportunities we have had to love and be loved.  I wouldn’t trade ANYthing for the last 7 years!  In the meantime, my prayer is that we will follow the advice of Jim Elliot…

 Wherever you are – be all there.

Jim Elliot

Thanks, Mark! Thanks, God! Thanks, CBS6!

Posted: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Thanks, Mark! Thanks, God! Thanks, CBS6!

I can no other answer make,                                         but, thanks, and thanks. 

~William Shakespeare

Wow.  I’m rather speechless, which doesn’t happen too often.  I am overwhelmed by and grateful for the positive response to a blog post I wrote on Monday called Heart Breaking. Soul Weeping. Mind Reeling. Knees Bending.  Only a handful of people actually follow my blogs Miss Marti’s House and …into the neighborhood on a regular basis.  So, I was quite surprised when this post started receiving 100s of hits!  Miss Marti’s House started 2 years ago by telling the story of how I ended up living in Southern Barton Heights, how I met and married the ‘other half of my pair’, Louis Williams, and our life here.  …into the neighborhood is a more recent development, somewhat of an experiment, a direct response from questions we get a lot.  It’s meant to be a resource to individuals, families and churches who want to live more neighborly, incarnationally or missionally.  We get regular requests to speak or consult with people and churches, so we thought we would create an online tool to talk about it.  It will also showcase people, ministries , etc living it out and how God is being glorified throughout our city, country and in the nations.   I have 2 great stories in the works.  One from a friend living in a remote village in the country of Columbia.  The other being my aunts in Oregon.  Coming SOON!  Stay posted!  Go ahead and subscribe if you want to stay up-to-date.

Mark Holmberg from WTVR CBS 6 contacted me quite unexpectedly yesterday afternoon, because he had seen that post.  (Thank goodness I had just gotten my roots touched up!!!  LOL) He wanted to interview us about what and why we do what we do.  Of course, it also involved one of the young men accused of First Degree Murder.  He was a welcomed friend, almost a son, in our home on a regular basis.  You know what?  He and his family are still welcome!  Kids make bad, sometimes even horrific, choices or decisions.  It doesn’t mean we give-up on them. Don’t get me wrong.  I still believe that people should pay the consequences of their personal decision, choice or reaction. As much as the public wants to make this a race issue or a urban/suburban issue, it is not that simple.  I wish it were.  All our youth need us.  I’m still hopeful.  Emily said it perfectly in one of the responses to the post…

…they do need us and we all need to stick together (near or far), continue to impact, never give up hope, and pass the message that all children are reachable teachable lovable and savable….

Amen, Emily!

You can find Mark’s story here…  Miss Marti Brings Message of Peace and Love.  That peace and love is rooted in none-other-than, Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior.  I can’t save each and every youth or adult I encounter.  But, Jesus can.  I am but one tool that He uses.  Thanks, Mark and CBS6 for allowing the hope of Jesus Christ to be in the middle of this story.  I know it wasn’t want you intended.  But, you know what?  God did.  To God only be the glory!

My heart still grieves for the devastating loss in our city, within the many impacted families and network of friends. Words can not explain, nor can they alone comfort the grief felt.  My prayers continue to be with those who grieve and our city.  May God’s Spirit comfort us and bring peace.

Psalm 23  NIV

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

This SATURDAY…. Waiting for ‘Superman’

Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on This SATURDAY…. Waiting for ‘Superman’


“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 Ave

Contact:  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.

‘This is Discipling’

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 2k11, Northside Missional Community | Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘This is Discipling’

Some of you have asked….what is a Missional Community and what do you do?

Every Thursday at 6pm, a group of us (mainly from the Northside of RVA) get together in our home.  What do we do?  We fellowship (which basically means talk and eat great food together),  We study God’s Word (also known as the Bible) and pray (talk to God).  We live out God’s mission together (which means we encourage each other to love God more and to love our neighbors) in our everyday lives in our community, at work, at the gym, at the barber shop….wherever we spend our day.  It isn’t project based.  It’s just life.

Weekly, we also have Kids Missional Community, where we do the same thing, but for neighborhood kids.

I recently found this video online and thot I would share it because it describes beautifully what we are doing.  This is the way we roll….in Southern Barton Heights and beyond. If you want to be a part or learn more, feel free to contact me!

This is Discipling from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

“My friends are my estate.” Emily Dickenson

Posted: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 2k11, Northside Missional Community | Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on “My friends are my estate.” Emily Dickenson

“My friends are my estate.”
– Emily Dickinson

I feel like the most blessed person in the world!  If my friends are my estate….that also makes me the RICHEST person in the world.  Yesterday, we had our annual Community Memorial Day Cookout….and Birthday Bash.  I call it a Memorial Day Cookout and Louis always includes my birthday as well, which is today.  We opened our yard and our hearts to our community of neighbors and friends to celebrate.  Over 60 people were in attendance.  It was awesome for neighbors to meet neighbors…young and old alike…to make new friends.

Our Missional Community was there to help by lending a hand…setting up and tearing down the tables, meeting new people, building deeper relationships, and just chillin’ in the heat!  Many times, community gatherings around here lead to verbal fights, physical altercations, guns and shooting, and other negativity that just disturbs the community.  We had none of that!  We had….

  • great food.  Thanks to Rush and Louis manning grill…chicken and hot dogs!!! and everyone bringing a covered dish.
  • wonderful respectful, positive conversations.
  • laughter, games and fun.
  • connections and friendships being made.  Some of the youth were meeting for the first time…since they go to different high schools.
  • a few people who heard about our Thursday night gatherings who are going to come and check us out.

Again…I am blessed to have called these folks my friends.  God intends for us to be in relationship with Him and with one another. We practiced that yesterday. The Bible has over 100 verses on friends, friendship, etc.  Here is one of my favorites…

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Enjoy some pics of our time together…meet my friends…

2011 Memorial Day/Birthday Cook.Out.

Posted: Saturday, May 28, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: , , | Comments Off on 2011 Memorial Day/Birthday Cook.Out.

Nearly every year since I have moved into our house, I have had a Memorial Day Cookout. Since Louis and I met, he now loves to do it…more than I do…because my birthday falls around Memorial Day (and the Greek Fest for that matter) each year.  So, if you don’t have something going on and especially if you live in the Northside and would like to meet your neighbors in the community, stop on by.  Would love to see you.  Bring a side dish, if you can!  Here’s last year’s post (Cook.Out.).

ps.  I know you must love my DoodleBuddy piece of art.  Just started playing with it on the ole iPhone…havin’ some fun.  How did I do?

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