The daughters freaked just the tiniest bit at the last post about being locked out on the backyard patio. Me, "Guys, I was surrounded by a 10 foot tall fence.  The closest anyone could get to me was nearly 1/2 block away at the other side of the park."  Them: "Mom, you're 61 years old. You have to be more careful."  Me: I'm not 61 yet....not til September."

Quiet week. Dinner and a mani-pedi with my daughter Beth and her boyfriend's wonderful mom, Karen.  Everything is more fun when your toes are painted and shiny.  Learning how to manage the city bus routes - sorta. Growing more and more to love this city - though not necessarily the city government.

The city is rebuilding the park that borders YWAM's back yard (translated: YWAM's 6 feet of weeds and a couple of trees border the park edge).  The city doesn't allow access to the park unless a) a police officer is present and b) only adults with children are allowed inside.

So, YWAM's rear fire exit opens into the park.  The city wants to close this emergency exit so no one could enter the park during "closed" hours.  YWAM must have the fire exit in order to continue to use their basement for visiting mission groups, hold community lunches in their dining room, and host large movie or other "special" events.   Right now, fire code allows 200 people in the building.  With the rear fire door blocked off, that number will be reduced to fewer than 100.

This is a BIG deal.  BIG BIG BIG.  Imagine cancelling a weekly community lunch where more than 100 people come to eat.  Imagine telling high school youth groups who want to come and learn about urban missions that only a handful of them can come.  Imagine shutting the door on movie day because a "capacity limit" has been reached - when the room isn't full at all!

Please pray.  The city has been resistant and inflexible.  Promises from YWAM that the emergency exit would never, ever be used except in an  emergency have been largely dismissed.  When YWAM staff presented evidence that they would incur substantial expenses to reconfigure space, no one seemed concerned. 

Please pray.  YWAM's contribution to this community is enormous.  It is appropriate that the community honor that history by "grandfathering" the emergency exit.

PS: "M" was agitated and upset today.  Please pray for her.