Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ
Keeping Community

Christmas Greetings to our Carrollton family,

I just got back from my second "one week, once a month" trip in three weeks and I continue to marvel at how much has changed and how little is happening. The world's largest trash heap at West End and Vets was "suddenly" gone when I tried to show it to Jenny who came with me to meet more of Carrollton and to see first hand the breadth and depth of the damage. While on the other hand, the clean streets belied the destruction hiding behind the front doors of so many of the homes with insufficient information from the state and local governments that could help in answering the question on so many of your minds, "What should I do?" We really are living in a time when we are neither where we were, nor where we desire to be. Like Israel in the wilderness, we find ourselves in a frustrating mix of being dependant on God and led by His Spirit, while simultaneously scared and angry at times. As we work through these times and emotions, please lean on each other and your shepherds. This is what being "family" is all about.

Nonetheless, some small things are coming back together and in those we find comfort. The church house now has power and hot water with the help of our Pacific Northwest friends. With the aid of the world's longest extension cords running from the basement of the house through windows in the auditorium that actively resisted opening, we have some power in the church building that let us run three dehumidifiers (in the stairwell going to the balcony and in each of the two front bathrooms). I must have watched the water pouring out of the clear discharge tubes off and on for hours. It was either simply amazing how much water was coming out or I'm easily amused. In an ironic twist on new life and awesome destruction, Jenny and I moved the dehumidifier tubes around during the day to water the pretty flowers the Musselman clan planted. Finally, Perry has put up as many Christmas lights in the trees in his front yard next to the church house as his circuit breakers would allow. Pretty cool to drive up on a dark Wednesday night for dinner/devo and see the whole house lit up.

As we come into the holidays, we celebrate the birth of our Messiah even as we can hear the cries of "Rachel for her children." Please look for opportunities in your family to reestablish an old tradition or ritual amongst the chaos in which many of you are living. Our wives, husbands, children, and friends need to be reminded that, while we aren't where we want to be, we are headed in the right direction and we are all walking together as family. A small light in a dark night goes a long way.

Peace,

Kirk and Jenny