So many...

Book #3 is another "beast" that I finally conquered during this project: City of Dreams: The 400-Year Epic History of Immigrant New York, by Tyler Anbinder. It is about 770 pages of nonfiction historical content, and it's as heavy (mentally and physically) as an 11th grade textbook. But man, my life is richer because of it!

In the profession/calling that I find myself, this information was incredibly relevant and helpful to me. I loved learning about who has come to the shores of America in each decade since the 1600s, why they came, how they were received, how they affected the course of our country's history, and how their choices caused their descendants to be woven into the fabric of our nation. It was important for me to get a bigger picture view on immigration policies and trends, so I could gain a healthier perspective of the time in history in which I live and work. For anyone who is interested in the current refugee crisis and political decisions about immigration in America (whether you are knowledgeable about it, or not - or think you are because you watch the news), I highly recommend this book.

As I have been stitching the first two words of my cross-stitch pattern, I feel the weight of their significance. It's taken a lot of thread to stitch them, and a lot of time. As each letter has come into focus, I've thought more and more of the effects of the creativity of the God who made us all unique and wonderful, the effects of the curse of sin on our world, and the effects of the redeeming love of Christ.

So many people...
So many colors...
So many flavors...
So many accents...
So many languages...
So many cultural nuances...
So many styles of clothing...
Intricate and complex,
Fascinating and rich,
Beautiful and diverse!

But also -

So many corrupt governments...
So many horrendous disasters...
So many broken communities...
So many inhumane actions...
So many war-torn nations...
So many joys destroyed...
So many lives taken...
Lost and lonely,
Fearful and heartbroken,
Foreign and unfamiliar.

And yet -

So many steps taken...
So many miles crossed...
So many children saved...
So many families healed...
So many dreams reimagined...
So many new possibilities opened up...
So many opportunities found to love and be loved...
Brave and determined,
Resourceful and resilient,
Hopeful and strong!

- "So Many"
c.l. chandler