The significant news for this week is that I will be joining Kimberly as an assistant member at L’Arche, a community (or group home) where those born with developmental disabilities (core members) live together with us assistants, who are considered “normal” by society (as though there are some humans who are not broken and dysfunctional in some way). Kimberly is on the administrative/counseling side of things and lives outside the home. I will live outside the home for now, but plan to become a live-in assistant in August. I still have a long way to go on my dissertation, but I can no longer manage without an income. I have a high regard for L’Arche’s commitment to life in community based on an understanding of our mutual brokenness.
In other news, Kimberly’s father came to visit last week and stayed for a day and a half. We had a great hike to Crabtree Falls, the most beautiful falls in the area (and I believe the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi). It is actually a series of falls and cascades that stretch for perhaps a mile up the side of the mountain. 
On returning, we had a picnic and then watched “March of the Penguins” together (what very interesting and endearing creatures they are!). “March” reminded Kimberly and me of another Antarctic movie “Eight Below” that we saw a week earlier (based on the true story of a dogsled team).
Kimberly’s father, Tom Hayek, brought along an adorable German Shepherd puppy, yet to be named, that he was transporting from one sister to another, and since Kimberly is unable to keep dogs at her apartment, I kept her at my place (the dog that is!). She slept most of the two nights she was here, but both mornings began a constant whine at 5 a.m. It gave me second thoughts about the idea of owning a dog!
Janathan Grace Reflections 
It is so cool to hear what God is doing in your life. This may be the pot calling the kettle black [ 😎 ], but I hope you find more and more joy in the midst of YOUR brokenness and that of those you are serving.