Ugh! Wes and I have particularly heavy hearts today. Many of you may know that we have had some “smoking” issues with our neighbors. Seeing as we live in an old house with excellent ventilation, we smell everything going on in our neighbors apartment, and vice versa. This is one of the unique, and quirky things about sharing an old Victorian with others. Our neighbors have been given warning letters, reminding that they signed a contract saying there would be “no smoking on the premises, which includes inside”. The situation has gone though different phases, ebbs and flows shall we say, of fairly light smelling smoke weeks to intense, put boxes in front of the vents, strong smoke smell weeks. It has been a roller coaster, and we have struggled with feeling like we would be embarrassed if they knew we loved Jesus. What does it look like to love like He loved, but also wanting to live in a smoke free house? This may seem like a small issue to some, and we played around with the idea of trying to ignore it but in the end we would rather move ourselves than live with second hand smoke. Ugh.

We found out today that they are receiving their final eviction letter, after receiving one about a month and a half ago, stating that if they aren’t out by Monday then a Sheriff will escort them out. Wes and I both feel a deep sense of sadness about how this has turned out, and especially so close to Christmas. Please pray for our neighbors. We know from the EMT and a police officer being there last night, after an intense fight they had, that this hasn’t been the easiest season of their lives. We recognize that they are probably very angry with us, so we may not be the ones to extend a helping hand, etc. We know that in our discouragement about “our lack of love for them” or so it feels, doesn’t mean that God can’t put other loving people in their lives at this season. That’s what we will be praying. Thanks for listening, or reading J