My front stoop, my new mission field...

After living in the city for 14 years, moving back to the suburbs was a culture shock in more ways than one.  The one difference that I have noticed the most is the sheer isolation that can happen in the suburbs.  In the city you live more closely with your neighbours, you tend to walk more, shop in the same little shops and hang out in the same green spaces in your community.  In the suburbs, most have single dwelling houses framed with perfect lawns and fences to maintain boundaries/property lines.  People drive more, work outside of where they live and value privacy more.  It has been hard to meet our neighbours, let alone friends in this place.

That is going to change this summer hopefully, because I'm going to bring a little city into the 'burbs.  This summer instead of creating an oasis of escape in my backyard, I'm going to occupy my front stoop.

Yep, the front stoop is going to be my mission field.  I will drink my coffee there, read and watch my kids play.  I will tear up my front lawn and turn it into a vegetable garden where countless hours will be spent being present and available to everyone and anyone who may happen to meander by.  My hope is that folks that live in the neighbourhood will come out of their houses and visit, eat some of the veggies and get to know us.

Front stoop missions....I think it's gonna be big!