High Hopes in Norman, Oklahoma

This was pretty much the weather for half the time I was in Norman:  Watches and Warnings!

Sometimes our expectations can be our own worst enemies.  My first five days in Oklahoma had afternoon weather warnings, including tornados, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods.  I wrote 50+ friends and tried to connect to five different ministries in hopes of sharing with young people in the places I had ministered four years ago.  For a host of reasons, the number of people I ended up meeting up with was significantly smaller.  It was finals week and the campus ministries were done for the semester.  The one concert I was able to organize had three attendees.  And through the stormy weather, I tried to co-ordinate meetups and stressed-out about figuring things out and planning...it took me most of the two weeks to realize that God was giving me a chance to rest, but I wasn't on the same page.  This was supposed to be the highlight of the tour, not the sitting around sorting through my earthly possessions and waiting stop!  

Chatting with Poet J.L. Jacobs

Despite the fact that I met with far fewer people than I had anticipated, and that a few dear friends and mentors didn't make time, I was once again blown away by how awesome Oklahomans are.  Although there were less meetings, every conversation left me with takeaways.  I was able to do some life-coaching, record a couple songs by my friend Chris, and cheer on and talk shop with musicians and friends involved in ministries. I got to chat with my old Russian professor in Russian and spent a whole day chatting with my poetry teacher and fellow poet JL Jacobs.  Mark Nerhenz is co-ordinating do-gooding and celebrating people who are trying to change the city for the better through his youtube channel.  My friend Steven Eiler was finally recording an album.  :)  My friends Daniel and Chris encouraged me with their devotion to everyday ministry in bible studies and food banks and worship, and my friends the Brashers gave me a nice old DSLR with interchangeable lenses!  It's the perfect  complement to my camera, which does poorly in low-light and with depth-of-field for close-up portraits.   (unfortunately both cameras' lenses are out of commission this week, hopefully that will be fixed soon)

Squeaky Found Some Friends

My pastor's generosity with his car and his time and support was also a great encouragement.  Taking my worldly possessions to Colorado, I was shocked and disappointed to learn that simply sending a box to Kyrgyzstan via UPS costs $900.  Although everything I have would fit in the trunk of a car, most of it will have to sit in Colorado. 

For most of the time I was there, I was a little discouraged by the tepid reception overall, and I expected the concert to be the day of redemption!  It was very hard to give God my unmet expectations as a drove to the church, but I did.  The weather was bad once again and I knew that no matter who showed up, I should be faithful to play and praise God; three people showed up, which was sad, because I did have life-changing sorts of stories to share, but it ended up being a really healing thing.  Karl, Renee and Chris said, "well James, we're here for this, what you got?"  They never looked at their phones and they were fully present.  Sometimes being loved and seen and encouraged by a couple good friends is probably a lot better than a big show.  And it was definitely what I needed that day.  Although it's very hard to humble yourself once God has used you in "bigger" ways, we must be faithful in the little things, and not forget that it's really not about us. 

Took this bunch to Braum's after meeting them in Guatemala earlier this year!

The next day at church I was blown away by my church family and their support.  Karl told me to leave my photography postcards and such out so that the church members could purchase if they wanted.  They gave me nearly as much support as any other stop on the journey, and this is a church of like 30 people?  Of course, it's not so much about the money but the time that each person took to ask questions, engage my art, and pray and encourage me about the work I I'm doing. 

My Buddy Sam allowed me to crash their living room for two weeks

!

It's generally only when our expectations aren't met, that we get angry or upset.  We think things will be one way, and then it's not, and we feel some type of way.  When we meet these disappointments, we have a choice...to sit back and mope, or to enjoy or face the unexpected with courage.  I have to confess, I didn't really get it during my time in Norman.  I had such deep and encouraging conversations and experiences with my friends.  While many of the people I thought were part of my life considered me a part of a college past that was long-past, many others were fully engaged and full of encouragement and support, and living the kind of lives I dream of living.  I think and hope I left Norman more encouraged than I left it, despite my personal discouragement.  God was using me, and wanted to give me rest.  Sometimes, to receive God's blessings, first we have to surrender our expectations.

I have been so blessed by my Norman friends.  :)