The past few days

Dear Fam,

We went to visit our friend Carrie Vickery in South Carolina last weekend. David was so sweet to do that in the middle of the semester. And between learning to "Shag" (official state dance of S.C.) and meeting Mike (Carrie's boyfriend) he was able to study a bit. We had a lovely, lazy day in Greenville Monday before flying home (totally unaware of the economic situation until we changed planes in D.C. that evening). When we landed in Pittsburgh, the security guard had posted the score for the Pittsburgh vs. Ravens game. The Globe Parking shuttle driver gave us a blow-by-blow update as he took us to our car, and, intrigued, we listened to the end of the game as we drove home (Steelers won by 3 points in overtime). As we pulled into the driveway at midnight, we could see the kitchen lights on in our Jewish neighbors' homes. (The Orthodox Jews are not permitted to use anything electrical during Sabbath or feast days, so they leave it on before the feast day starts.) It is Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, and all today Jewish families were walking about, the women and girls in long-sleeved blouses and skirts, the men and boys in long pants, and yamakas.

Tonight our neighbor knocked on our door and asked if I wouldn't mind printing off her homework, which was online . . .and calling the teacher to have it sent to my email. We of course said yes. But David and I have noticed that it seems impossible to live out Orthodox Judaism and "livability in the real world" seems to be an important measure of the truth of a worldview.

We live inside an "eruv", a demarcated area (literally--with bits of string on telephone posts) in which the observant Jew can move freely on a Sabbath. In working for a Jewish person, and in living surrounded by a congregation of them, we've been given a new appreciation for Paul's discussion of law and grace in Romans. We've also started to see how much we have in common--my young neighbor is waiting still for the Messiah--and we really desire to share the hope of Christ with them (His salvation, and also the abundant life that includes beef stroganoff, lasagne, and tacos!) When you pray for us, will you include that on your list--opportunities and grace and love for our neighbors?

We miss you and love you--

D & L