Sometimes I Write

I’m having a GREAT hair day, curly and wild – just like Benny likes it. My make-up is just the way I like it. I’m wearing my favorite shirt in one of my favorite colors – green. Since my eyes change colors to match my clothes and my mood (seriously) they’re bright green as well. My new thrift store treasure jeans end about six inches above my ankle leaving my tattoo in perfect view and that makes me smile. My favorite sandals expose my toes so my new silver toe rings (a gift from a funky friend) shine in the sunlight. My fingernails are Midnight blue – a little unusual even for me, but my kids love them. There is a smile plastered on my face and it’s not going anywhere today. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Why is any of this important?

Because I am a beautiful woman. God told me so. He said I am more than beautiful. He said, “Niki, You are ready to be who I created you to be. Nothing more. Nothing less. Before you were born, I smiled when I thought of who you would become. I was sad knowing some of the things you’d have to go through and some of the lessons you would learn the hard way, but I know you and I’m confident you’ll be someone great. As a matter of fact, I promise you that when you put your trust in me, I will finish in you what I started before you were born. I have a plan for you and you’re the only one who can fulfill it. I gave you unique gifts and abilities to accomplish the tasks I have for you. There will be days when you think your gifts are for your benefit, but you will realize that they aren’t. I put you on earth at just the right time and in just the right place, because I meant for your gifts to bless other people…The people I’ve placed in your life. You are a leader Niki. I made you that way. Sometimes it will seem that no one is following, but there is ALWAYS someone watching. Some days it will be people, some days it will just be me. I think you’re incredible and beautiful and I love it when you think so too. Your inner beauty is unmistakable when you let it shine, and your outer beauty is in the eye of the beholder…Me, Benny, and others. Wear the colors you love. Create the look you like. It’s all there as a gift to you. Don’t forget your modesty is a gift as well. Praise me with your voice, your mind, your body. Bring glory to my name by your actions, and your thoughts. Be the captivating beauty that I created you to be. Show others how to be who they were created to be. Trust in me and LIVE. Life is abundant already, enjoy it and don’t waste a single moment. Speak for me when I tell you to. No one has ever or will ever think you a timid woman. When you speak, speak kindly and firmly, and remember to ask me what to say first. Don’t forget that I am ALWAYS with you…I’m the only one who is ALWAYS with you. Put your confidence in me and I will guide you, my precious daughter. Know who you are. Know why you’re alive. Know that you’re mine. Make me proud.”

Last night was our (Dry Bones) last time having pool night at Shakespeares at its current location. They are moving and will be closed for about 8 weeks. That means a change in venue for our Thursday Dry Bones night. The solution? Bowling. Evidently the street kids like to bowl and we were even able to secure a double-decker bus to transport them from downtown to the closest bowling alley. Well, the 2nd closest…the closest one has a dress code – no hats and other ridiculous standards I’m sure the kids couldn’t meet. It was a fun night for me and I hope everyone else that was there too. We even gathered outside and took a group picture – that was A LOT of people!

As I was driving home I was amused (not that hard) at how I’d come full circle. About a year and a half ago I attended my very first pool night. We were in Denver trying to figure out if we were going to be moving here or not. I blogged about the experience which you can read in my January 2005 archives. That night I played “Spades” with Don, Titties, and Smiley – Don was my partner. I can’t remember who won that game, but I remember the feelings I experienced that night…I was out of place. Something about the people I met that night resonated with me and I couldn’t quite nail down the reason why. Fear mixed with excitement of the future possibilities kept me alert and soaking in my surroundings. I wasn’t exactly on edge, but I was definitely alert…not knowing what to expect. Last night, on my last visit to pool night at Shakespeares before it closes it’s doors, I spent the night playing “Spades” with Don, Titties, and Nikki Wallace, my friend and DB teammate. Don was my partner again, and we won. I told Titties that the first time I met her we were doing the same thing and she smiled and said, “I know”. Smiley was never mentioned and I don’t know whatever became of him.

My feelings last night were completely different than my first experience. I was comfortable and at ease. There were lots of familiar faces around me. Don is a good card partner. Cheeto kept coming over to stand behind me and rub my shoulders. Benny and I spoke maybe 10 words to each other the whole night and that was o.k. I was with people that I have come to know and love. I was right where I was supposed to be and it felt good. I had peace amidst these misfits and throwaways of society. I am one too you know. Sure I look normal on the outside – sort of (hehehe), but I now know what I couldn’t pinpoint a year and a half ago. I am just like them. I was only a few bad decisions away from being one of them. Instead of taking one look at me and judging who I was, not giving me a chance, these kids looked past the outer and saw that I wanted to “see” them and “know” them, and some of them let me. I’ve known church people that didn’t give me that kind of chance. Back at the beginning, I had taken one look at them and wasn’t sure what to say or do, even fearing saying or doing the wrong thing and now they are my friends. They’re people…who need other people…just like me.

Yesterday there was a memorial service on the 16th street mall for Zelma, a woman who had been on the streets for what seems like forever. Robbie and Matt had the honor of speaking about her along with Rick, a wealthy businessman who had befriended Zelma over nine years ago. Zelma died from stomach cancer on April 29th in her run down little motel room. Rick passed out flyers inviting everyone to remember this woman who said “God bless you” to everyone who passed by her wheel chair – whether or not they put change in her cup. The coroner’s office was able to contact her sister out west who declined to have Zelma’s remains released to her. (Very sad!) Rick and a friend of his are taking care of the arrangements for Zelma’s remains. I am so very thankful for people like Rick who take the time to stop and treat strangers (especially the poor and homeless) like they deserve to be treated – humanely. Rick was more than that to Zelma and he is a hero in my book! Two different news crews were there to capture the story and I was able to record the broadcasts of both stations which I’ll be making copies of for the rest of the Dry Bones team. I was unable to be there, but I know it was powerful. This is a link to one of the news videos:

http://www.cbs4denver.com/video/?id=17049@kcnc.dayport.com

Food for thought: Whose hero are you being?

I didn’t realize it until today, but one of my Dry Bones articles (actually my first and only article until this week) was posted on emergingcity.com. Here’s the link:
http://www.emergingcity.com/2006/04/my_kids_and_street_kids.html

This is another fantastic website that is worth checking out! There are several people from different organizations and ministries in Denver that have blog posts or articles posted there about the issues/friendships/and challenges of inner-city/urban life. Let me know what you think…better yet, let them know what you think. www.emergingcity.com

My family and I are traveling for the weekend so I’ll be back with an update on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone! (And Tricia…thank you for house sitting!)

One more thing…since it is now past midnight I can say,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BENNY! It’s been an amazing 13 years!

She sat across the table from me, pouring over her menu. I was a bit lost in my own thoughts as I recalled a similar meal only four short months ago. That first day we hung out together was awkward and yet here we are today calling each other friend. It’s amazing what God can do in a short amount of time. I have watched and walked side by side with Tonya as she began to make incredible life changes. First she entered a shelter/program. Then came the completion of her GED and receiving her CNA license for Colorado. I began picking her up for church on Sundays and inviting her to be part of our family time afterward. The relationship blossomed so quickly, and I’ve been grateful for the trust she has in me and the role she’s allowed me to play in her life.

On Easter Sunday I witnessed her new birth as she was baptized into Christ. As I listened to her talk about the ONLY person to ever be there for her EVERY time, I nodded in agreement and spoke a silent prayer to my Savior…her Savior…The Savior. As we drove to church that day I told her this is the point when the real battle begins, and that I would do my best to fight for her and with her. We’ve faced some struggles since then and more will come. I think we’re ready for them. Most of the goals we set a few months ago have been achieved, so today we enjoyed a good meal and spent time planning new goals for her future. She is excited and determined to succeed and eventually have a ministry of her own. Please pray for her as she searches for a job, a home, and maybe goes to college. Like most of us, she’d like to skip over some of the necessary steps and get down to what she really wants to be doing. Pray for her patience and her determination to see things through to completion.

Four months ago we were strangers. What could a middle class, stay-at-home-mom and a weathered street kid have in common? You would be amazed. Today Tonya gave me a gift. She said to me, “Niki, I know you work for Dry Bones, but even if you didn’t…you’d still be my friend. You and Benny don’t even know the difference you’ve made in my life and I love you for it.” That’s what it’s all about…Reaching, Rescuing, Reconciling, and Reclaiming the lost – one precious friend at a time.

(This is the article I wrote for our most recent Dry Bones newsletter. I wanted to share it here for those of you who don’t receive it in the mail.)

This may be sort of underhanded, but I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. My husband is a busy man, I know, but I miss him blogging. He was off to such a good start, then I don’t know what happened. He teases me and thinks I blog too much, so maybe this is his way of balancing it out?? 😉

He said that nobody was reading his blog anyway. He has great insights on life and how to live and do ministry from the heart. I want him to blog again. Maybe if you help me encourage him a little…Check out his blog and leave him a comment. Thanks!