Leslie Boxell’s Weblog

Weird title I know, but it will make sense in a minute.  So, many times I have been embarrassed to tell people where I went to High School/grew up when they ask.  I always smirk and say, Parkrose…  home of the Broncos… Lately, I have been thinking about that a lot.  My church has recently started a campus in Parkrose.  Since that has happened I have seen a lot of positive great things going on, but I cringe when they talk about the community and the people there.  The view most people have is that it is a drug addicted, prostituting, crack smoking, gang banging, meth smuggling ghetto.  Yes, that is all true, but there is more to the community than that.  There are really great people who live there.  People who are trying to make a difference in their community and reach out to their neighbors.  I never thought I would say this, but a part of me misses our little white house in Parkrose. We had such great neighbors, and yes we had bad ones too.  But we all looked out for each other.  One time our small little neighborhood made the news because we helped bring down 2 drug  houses together.    I’m not saying I want to go back, but I’m feeling not as ashamed I guess. So what if I grew up on what some may think is the wrong side of town.  That’s where I came from and who’s to judge my character based on where God placed me in this world?  I think I turned out pretty good.  

 Sometimes I have to laugh at where we live now with our HOA rules and the glares and frequent pull overs from HV sheriffs because my husband drives a beater ‘87 Camry. I

 don’t like the car either, but give me a break!  Total combined, both Scott and I have been pulled over in that car 6 times!  And none have been for a traffic violation.  I love where we live, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes the whole suburbia thing just gets to me.   So really it doesn’t matter where you grew up or where you live, but who you grew up to be and what you live for.  Yeah that’s right, I’m a Bronco.

So it’s been a LONG while since I’ve posted anything.  There’s a lot of reasons why I’ve been absent from the blogging world, but too much to go into.  Alot has changed in my life since June.  I’ve started a new job, which has been wonderful and weird at the same time.  I love my job at my church, yet it is sooooo different than what I am used to doing.  I’m pretty good at accepting change, but I still am adjusting to my new role.  God has changed me in many ways in the past couple years, but the biggest most apparent change has been my trust, faith and reliance on God.  Not only with the big stuff, but down to (what I think) the little stuff.  Over the past month I have seen God move people into Children’s ministry at my church.  And not just any people.  Really awesome, super qualified, excited, motivated people!  Not once have I had to beg or twist anyone’s arm to teach a Sunday school class, or help with an event at church.  Don’t get me wrong there is always a need for more help, but God always provides what we need.  I cannot tell you how great it is to be able to rest in the fact that God is in control and will provide what is needed to carry out his work.  Now you may be thinking, “ of course God is working in the churches, duhhh!”  I honestly can tell you that I did not have the trust/faith in that completely when it came to ”filling holes”(finding teachers) for bible classes.  I guess I subconciously thought that the task was too little for God.  NOT TRUE!  So, I’ve learned.    

Peace out…