A Goal: Holiday Work

Snow hath come this Christmastide as of yesterday.  At last, we have good white snow.  The city looks so white and pure, thought that most likely will not last long.  Even my bike, "Meg", loves this... though I dont dare taker her out on the streets in this weather.  It looks as if tis finally time to rest her for the winter.  Until we meet again in the spring, dear "Meg".  I am sure the bike shop will care for you well.

As everyone left for Thanksgiving, and is now preparing to leave for Christmas, Robby and I are being able to pick up a bunch of extra paid work.   And that is a good thing, as in January we are journeying to Dine Bikeyah for about a week.  Other than Aaron, Skot and Rachel, and a few other families, we are not close to many anywhere...  And our Christmas was spent with Rob's family over Thanksgiving...

I love how they have made the L and other lines all festive.  In this busy bustling city, it is nice to have some good will and spirit of cheer.  I just pray that everyone, whether traveling home, journeying through the city, or snug as a bug with their computer and a cup of Zhena's Fireside Chai Tea, never forgets the Babe born on Christmas morn.  We ought not celebrate Him one morn, but all 365 days of the year.  Let us not blot out the lesson we have learned on the journeys way, and share His love all the more with those about us.

~ Morria

Wedding Bands

A ring, a promise, a pledge.
Some would ne'er understand.
One piece of metal a symbol true.
Of my love of thee.

© 2008 MMN

I surprised Robby with more lasting wedding bands for our first anniversary... They are Navajo made, done in Zuni style settings. The stones are onyx and mother of pearl set in sterling silver.  The rings are just perfect!  Robby was so surprised, and it was perfect timing as our temporary rings are nearly worn out after a year.

Happy Anniversery, my love!

~ Morria

Kentucky Thanksgiving/Christmas

Mom and Dad Nickles moved to Kentucky as planned soon after Robby and I loved to Chicago.  So, as we had to pick which holiday we went home for, we picked Thanksgiving when the roads should be better.  But then this is Greyhound, and we are dealing with Kentucky to Chicago... so who knows?

This is to be both our family Thanksgiving  and our Christmas, so we have to make the most of it... And what fun we are having.  We ate the roast beasts (turkey and ham)! We helped put up the tree at their new place.  We exchanged gifts.  And now we are just enjoying family.  It is good to have a break.

~ Morria

Reflections on Chicago...

Here I am age 25, having just gotten done with my first summer working in Dine Bikeyah at BABR...  Now I am in a city far different from the Pinon Pine and Sage Brush covered desert which I am in love with.  Here I can hear the lone coyote howling his lonely watches through the night in the near by graveyard where he lives.   Here I can here the ambulance bring the injured the the hospital 3 blocks away all hours of the night from my 5th story window.  Here I can feel the breeze from the water of lake Michigan 8 blocks away. 

Yet my heart had no peace.   I am as always a wander in a strange land, far from the place I call home....We know we just have no peace in the city and have to follow our callings...  By the time our 14 months living in Chicagoland will be up, we will be restless and trapped by the buildings....already are just 4 months in.  Still I love the city... but forever it seems the open road is calling...

~ Morria

What Do They Know?

As I am sitting here, working at the homeless shelter in Chicago, my thoughts wonder to all the homeless, the Roma, and the gypsy/bohemian/nomad/travelers of the world, especially those in dire situations...

~ Morria

What Do They Know?

I sit here in this room,

nothing but this bag to call my own

Why am I here?

What has happened?

They say I am a streetrat, 

an outcast, a vagabond.

What do they know?

I sit here praying,

Family's still on the move,

Why are we hated?

What have we done?

They say I am a streetrat, 

an outcast, a vagabond.

What do they know?

I sit here in this slum,

nothing but rot to call a home.

Why don't they care?

How could things change?

What do they know?

We have a history,

We have names.

We are humans.

We are everyone. 

MMN - 2009 

"Bardic Circle"

Today our friends the Grover's hosted a "Bardic Circle".  This weeks theme was Native Drum Circle, Aaron was there for it of course, as were many of our other gypsy, goth, subculture, traveler, and nomadic friends.  As we began to share music, songs, and stories, my heart began to cry.  What are we doing here?  Our hearts for helping other people, maybe living in Dine Bikeyah, but not in the city here.  It hurt to much, but now I realize I cannot put the open road and ministering to fellow outcasts out of my mind or heart.  Tis in there just too deep.

What now?  I dont know what this means for the future... I dont know what roads this means we will go down.  But I do know that it means Chicago is not the end point, but just a stop on the trail...

We are here in Chicago for until at least next August or September, and after that I have even less clue where we shall journey.  God, You have to be in this, because I have no clue what You are up to here...

~ Morria

A visit!

Merami and Daddy came to visit!  And they brought stuff!!!  I couldnt be happier.  I get to show Merami and Daddy around town... and now I have my Victorian wardrobe to store stuff in too!  Yeah, yeah... I know, I am a gypsy goth gal who loves the open road and not much stuff... but this is my one furniture piece that I adore from my childhood.  I always longed to have it, and now that I am married it is mine.  LOL!  Merami and Daddy took well to the beach, though Daddy swears he will never ever ever come back to Chicago again.  He hates the big city and the traffic.  Not that I blame him, most parking places are at least $3 a day.  That is why Daddy brought me my bike, Meg, so that I can get around town and not worry about a car.



Now, they are headed back after spending Merami's 62nd birthday in Chicago site seeing.  I got to take her to all the best thrift stores, from Little Thai Town to Unique Thrift to Salvation Army, we hit them all!  I trust it was a good birthday for her.

~ Morria

Lake Wildwood and P12!

So, we headed to Lake Wildwood and P12 has begun! The Bible training was so good. To sit and listen to this great men and woman of the faith, who have served the Lord in ministry since coming to the faith as hippies (aka the Jesus people movement).  Robby is not use to these type of Christians, but I grew up in a church were most of our elders were Jesus people.   I do know Robby is loving being out doors at the grounds where Cornerstone is held every year.  I think he has been here twice for the fest, but I never have...

This start is being a blast!  The second day I swam Lake Wildwood from one beach to the other.  ^_^  The cool water and fishys nibbling at my toes was soooo refreshing.   It was just wonderful to be preparing for what ever journey God has before us...

~ Morria

Chicagoland!

So, here we are!  As soon as we could get a van, we packed up.  There were only two seats, so we unfolded our dorm chairs behind the driver and passenger seat.  Thankfully Robby's dad is good enough driver, no one even looked twice.  We spend the night in Lebanon... Indiana that is.  The Super 8 Motel was really nice, and had a good Hot continental breakfast.  Then it was back on the road... no rest for gypsy souls it would seem.

So we arrived in Chicago, on a misty, hot, humid afternoon.  Our host family, Skot and Rachel, had been ill, but Skot did his best to help us get settled.  The room 505 is just a small studio with the shared kitchen down the hall, but it does have its own bathroom.  So after a quick paint job and a matrices pulled in, we are ready to go. My favorite things thus far in Chicago: Unique Thrift Store and the Free Store!  Like that is really a big surprise...

~ Morria

To Project 12 and Chicago!

So, here we are nearly home to Tennessee after our summer at BABR...  We were resting against our bags at the St. Louis old Union Station, waiting for our bus and the call came.  "We have a room and an opening for you in P12! Can you be here by weekend of the 8-12th?"  Umm...sure.  Thankfully we packed most of our stuff BEFORE leaving for camp, as that gave us 3 days to pack and head out.  After I got off the phone, Robby and I laughed.  So the journey continues....

This gypsy queen and her pirate king have alot of prepping to do.  We have to get our camp clothing washed.  Get our linens stripped and packed.  Call a few friends from around Knoxville and say, "Good-bye." as *la sigh* we wont get a chance to see them in person before heading out.  Oh, wow, so much to think about.  Gotta go!  They just gave the call to load our bus... 12 more hours then Knoxville!

~ Morria

Good-Bye To Summer and BABR!

So, summer is over... I hate to see it gone.  Our bags are packed.  Tomorrow we get on the bus to head back to Knoxville, and from there a big question mark.  We dont know what is in store after summer.  This summer has had such purpose, such focus.  Our life after BABR is nothing but a question mark.  Not that I have minded... living each day focusing on the campers that has been awesome.  Now though, it is back to the "real" world so to speak.

In the morning we get on the bus to start our over 36 hr (not counting layovers) trip home.  Or at least, that was how long the trip here took... After staying put most of 2 months, it is going to be good to stretch these wings and start moving again.  Wonder where the road will take us next?

~ Morria

Birth Mom Found ME!!!

I got a letter today, via Merami, but Merami did not write it.  No, it was from Mom Norma, my birth mom who gave me up for adoption back in 1983.  Apparently, I have a younger sister named, Christy, who ran into our older sister, Amber, (who was also adopted and our adopted mom's had written each other), and also a little brother named Travis.  Woah, one letter can sure change your life in a heart beat.  I am trying to think of what to say, what to write back... I have dreamed of this day for years, but to actually have the chance... I am so nervous, so excited, and now I am not an only child... I have 3 siblings and all of them are back in my life!

~ Morria

Springtime and a Passing...

Spring here in Tennessee is strange to me.  After 23 springs in Kansas, and one in Michigan, spending one in Tennessee is a change.  Easter has come and gone, with a cool, cloudy day Easter Egg hunt with the nieces and great-nephew (I married into be a great aunt, his mom is my age--- literally 3 days younger than me!)  Work is going well, though it is hard to convince our families that neither Rob nor I want fancy cars, homes, or stuff... travel  and ministry come first to us.  Though a few gypsy lamps and pirate chests are a great addition to our one room.  ^_^

April has brought the passing of Robby's grandma, Sylvania, which means neither of us have living grandparents.  I so wished I could have known her more, but she was to frail by the time I joined the family to talk much.  Robby says she would have loved me, I know the one time I got to braid her hair she fell asleep, a sign of deep trust. I wish I could have learned more from her, Robby says she had so much to share.  Where ever we head, I know her memory will travel with us.

~ Morria

Honeymoon in Chicago!

What an adventure the past few days have been!  Robby and I journeyed up to Chicago, on a scouting trip to JPUSA to see if we wish to do their year long internship called Project 12.  This is also to be our honeymoon trip!  True Chicago in the winter is not where most people would go, but when have Robby and I ever been most people?  The loft we are staying in is glorious, though cold, but it is winter and to be expected.  We are enjoying the time alone.... not in his parents home.

After some scouting, a tour of JPUSA's buildings, working with Skot and Rachel at the shelter, and shopping at the Free Store, The Alley, and Unique Thrift .  Robby and I went with Skot and Rachel, plus alot of friends to drive around Chicago.  First stop  was the cemeteries of course!  But our friend the Trickster, a lone coyote, was waiting in one.  We quickly moved on, and ate at a tasty vegan cafe as some in our party are vegans.  Then it was off for more driving around Chicago. I am nearly sure Skot knows where nearly every movie here was shot.  LOL!  Needless to say, this honeymoon was not normal, but still a blast!!!

~ Morria