As oil washes ashore on Dauphin Island, ducks refuse to flee - photographed June 9, 2010

28 years ago, Rosie and I were expecting our first child, Vera. On a mid-December day, not unlike today, I was worried about our child’s future and ...
Click here for full view of this post: Merry Christmas 2010]]>

As oil washes ashore on Dauphin Island, ducks refuse to flee - photographed June 9, 2010

28 years ago, Rosie and I were expecting our first child, Vera. On a mid-December day, not unlike today, I was worried about our child’s future and how Rosie and I might do and make do as parents. A sudden thought crossed my mind: Jesus was born in a stable. It hit me hard – like I had never heard the Christmas story before. Being welcomed by animals, with nowhere else to go, Mary and Joseph wrapped him in rags and laid him in a manger. But the angels sang, “Glory to God in the Highest!” Somehow the paradoxes of it all showed me the path of trust and the knowledge of who to trust in.

Today, I think of so many who are suffering, who like Jesus have not been given a place, and yet I am filled with hope that not poverty, oil spills, wars, or anything else can take away the glorious future that is reaching out to the human family.

Reviewing this past year, I can hardly believe its momentousness. I’ve gathered some pictures below to tell something of this extraordinary year (click on pictures to see larger photo). 

Vera Marries Ryan
Vera and Ryan were married on January 31, 2010 - Ryan is a wonderful gift to our family.	Vera and Ryan on Dauphin Island beach for Thanksgving 2010. Vera and Ryan are now expecting their first child.
More Family Pictures
Edward is confirmed - Nick is his sponsor Gabriel returning from a summer's work with Earthen Vessels Outreach in Pittsburgh. Nick spent the summer there too. Ryan and Vera are involved with this ministry too. Rosie kept care of all of us, taught yoga, ...	Mignon graduates from Bryant High School and goes to Auburn University Leo and friends representing Poland at the Model United Nation in Mobile Julita (on right) and her cousin Claire playing in the Mississippi Sound
Responding to Oil Catastrophe
Thanks to the clean-up workers who at the risk of their health dealt with much of the hazardous waste - photographed November 13, 2010 Leo, Julita, and Edward invited people to Hands Across the Sand on Dauphin Island's public beach, photographed June 24, 2010 Many sand crabs became stressed and unable to move well, photographed July 22, 2010. At Future of the Gulf Community Brainstorms, small groups shared experiences, ideas, and plans, photographed July 21, 2010 Mapping project using camera-lifting baloons, photographed November 13, 2010 on Sand Island	Oil soaking edge of tidal pool, photographed July 5, 2010 Sharing positive energy after Hands Across the Sand on Dauphin Island, photographed June 26, 2010 by Theresa Robinson My brother, Joe, captaining his boat, Mojoe, on one of our many trips to the Katrina Cut beaches An animated small group discussion during the Future of the Gulf - Community Brainstorm, photographed July 21, 2010 People networked and brought proposals to the Coastal Recovery Commission of Alabama
Loving Nature and Life
Dauphin Island sea grass before the spill took its toll on it The fragileness and beauty of life - Dauphin Island - photographed by Edward Denton We were blessed by many birthday parties Dauphin Island children played soccer throughout the year Gatherings with extended Denton family	Herons making do during the spill - photograph by Edward Denton My very old friend the magnolia tree of the Audubon Bird Sanctuary We were also blessed by dancing friends, birds, plants, and fish Friends gather awaiting the midnight solstice lunar eclipse Gatherings with extended Toomer family

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Reddish and snowy egrets weathering the oil spill together, photographed June 12, 2010, Dauphin Island

Today I was told, “This oil spill’s going to last for the rest of our lives.” Hopefully not, but one thing’s for sure, ...
Click here for full view of this post: Don’t let no Oil Spill Turn You ’Round]]>

Reddish and snowy egrets weathering the oil spill together, photographed June 12, 2010, Dauphin Island

Today I was told, “This oil spill’s going to last for the rest of our lives.” Hopefully not, but one thing’s for sure, the human family has storms enough coming and brewing now to fill our lifetimes. “Constant vigilance!” as Mad-eye Moody vowed needs to be our motto too. In the last blog entry, I spoke of encouragement. But right now southerly winds are pushing the oil toward the Gulf beaches. Hurricane season is beginning with the warmest waters on record ready to fuel the cyclones. The economy worldwide is in disarray. So, ultimately, encouragement needs deeper roots.

That’s why, right now I’m humming African American spirituals which helped sustain deep encouragement in the midst of great trouble. “Sometimes I feel like a motherless chile …” “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen …”

The spirituals proclaimed a firm, rebellious hope as well. “Trouble Don’t Last for Always …” “Don’t let nobody turn you ’round!” And later, “Don’t let segregation turn you ’round!” Today, let’s say together, “Don’t let no oil spill turn you ’round!” Today, like before, for all our problems, let it be a hope held inside. A hope held in common. The spirituals did not offer a quick fix, but an intergenerational hope passed from the old to the young, from parents to children, from friends to friends. A hope engraved in hearts by generous service. A hope sustained by the winds of the Spirit.