Fall in Love with YOUR NIEGHBOR

the story of Turntable 222.

Fall, for many, is a time of new beginnings, some spend 12, 16, and even 20 years with fall as a transition into something new. A new grade, a new school, a new state or even country. Transitions don't stop however, when you receive a diploma or begin a career. They just cease to be scheduled.

When we are young seasons change with excitment. There are "back to school" sales, and winter vacations. Unfortunately, in adulthood, Macy's doesn't have a sale when a company downsizes; and there is no winter break from the responsibility of payment and process.

Over the course of my life I have shared space with many hospitable strangers, friends, and "makeshift family". In my time of need people have brought me in, given me a floor, bed , a comfy couch nestled by a window in a family room some where. I have poured out my soul over coffee and had my soul restored over tea. I have been taught how to learn and showed how to love well.

Transitions don't always come with a warning, and for many they don't come with support. It is this realization that has brought me to where I am now. Writing this letter from a donated couch in my living room. Picturing my house full of people who are leaving one season and transitioning or "Transferring" to the next.

The way I'm wired, the best way to connect with people, is to meet a physical need first and then if the opportunity arises, meet the spiritual or emotional needs as well. And often the three happen at once. This, along with all that I have said above, is the vision and heart of what is called "Turntable 222". A mission statement might read something like, "changing seasons, sharing life."

The hope is to give people a place to stay for little or no money, to have some time to collect their thoughts, stir up their soul, and feed their bellies. There's most definitely a need in this area. Within hours of signing the lease, I had a local pastor send me a guy who is trying to fix his marriage, strengthen his faith, and get his business off the ground. He was sleeping at the church and we were able to give him a roof, a shower, and a place to wash his clothes. And the calls keep coming.

So in case you haven't figured it out by now this is a support letter. I'm not going to build a well in Africa, or play soccer with orphans in Honduras.
I'm staying right here, in my small town and pouring into my community. I hope that you will partner with me in this endeavor. I know times are tight for many, money may not be an option. I understand. Or, maybe you just don't feel connected to this cause. St. Paul, the Apostle, told the early church that if they ever felt like they were giving out of pressure, they were not required to give.

Here are some practical ways you can help;
We are building some bunk beds, and
making some furniture for the dining room; which is to be set up like a cafe with room to seat about 16. we need money for materials.
Donations of furniture ie couches, coffee, tables, rugs whatever would be appreciated from local partners.

Food. soups pastas etc
Supplies, soaps, sponges, paper products
gift cards. Wal mart, Home Depot, Good Will

Financial donations will help cover the overhead cost and will help us provide for the needs of our borders and guests during their time of transition.

Or, a super practical way to help support the mission is to support my trade, refer someone you know who needs a website or print material done to me, and you will create an opportunity for resources to be put back into the house.

Thank you so much for reading this letter and letting me share my heart. Please contact me if you want more information.
Love well and be blessed.

How do you know he's the right one?

or in my case she>

A friend of mine from New England and I were chatting on IM the other day, she started the conversation with a pointed interesting question. "How do you know if your supposed to date someone or not?" ...

My thoughts are as follows,

I have a saying, "there are boys you crush on, guys you date, and a man you marry." 
don't waste time on boys and guys there not worth the heart ache,but a man who loves you well, he will find you.
obviously it is different for each person. I personally have a 4-6 month rule
if I think I like someone I try to get to know them for a while first if the feelings are still there after a few months it's a win win, you already know each other better and there is some security that thet're sticking around for a while.
If they are not there it wasn't worth it to one person or the other, "love is patient"

within the context of those months evaluate it on what you know love is supposed to be, with the understanding that it's messy and imperfect. Are they kind, do they make you feel like a better person/ bring out the best in you?
is he/she willing to do the hard work when things get a little messy
or do they kind of shut off?
does he/she care about how you need to be loved and can she communicate you he/she wants to receive it in return? These are important things.

I think that while love is always a series of actions, it should also come easy. believe the best for each other, hoping for and seeing the greatness inside....but it do not have expectations of change.
I mean to say a horrible cook may become an okay cook but he'll never be a chef.
if you go into a relationship wanting a chef, than date a chef, don't date a dishwasher you hope to turn into a chef.
the metaphor of course runs deeper than cooking. Date someone you already like not someone you would like IF...

Communication is like a dance, sometimes it just clicks and the two partners move seamlessly and other times we stumble for a bit before getting into rhythm.
but if he/she seems has no rhythm at all than watch out! You may be dancing with someone else partner, what seems clumsy to you will be perfect for another.

and top of the top, for me at least, is does her love for Jesus ooze out of her, to the point of almost being annoying? as a guy I want to be the spiritual leader but I don't want a dummy, I want to be challenged.

one last but very important thing is attraction. It matters. I have been told it really helps in those tough times.

So how do you know if you should date someone?

its a tough call to make. but it' not finding someone you can live with it's finding someone you can't live without.
And when things don't work out remember,it takes a long time to walk into love and we do walk, not fall. And just because relationships end doesn't mean they stop emotionally right away.

boys you crush on, guys you date, and a man you marry. 
j.

So that was my take on things what do you guys think?