Fridays are for....

Snow play (in October?!)

Hot cocoa

Cozying on couches and reading books

Baking cookies

and apparently,

wrestling matches.

Wish I had a camera--it's WWF in here.

And they don't even know what that is!

Community

For days they worked together under falling foliage and gray October skies.

So close in age, they are each other's best friends and worst enemies, depending on the mood and situation. And for four glorious days, they were best friends. Tirelessly they planned and pushed and pulled and lifted, working, this team of two. They solved problems and shared ideas, and reluctantly took a break when the day was done, only after promises had been made that they could get back to it first thing in the morning.

Then, finally...

The Fort.

And then they played. All day. For days on end. They built it together, and neither wanted to be there without the other. It was a shared ownership. They bonded while building and then shared the fruit of their labor.

It has me thinking about "community". How building something with someone ties a bond, builds a bridge....Connects people. And people connecting with people is what community is all about. There are verses in the Bible about how two people are better than one, that a cord of three is not easily broken, about how God can't help but bless a place where unity dwells. When we work together for a common purpose, it ties us together, makes us stronger, brings a blessing. And I think the key is a shared ownership in the thing being built. When we own the vision, enthusiasm is natural. No kick in the pants needed.

Our town is rebuilding after an historic flood at the end of August decimated 80% of the village of Schoharie. People are coming together, volunteering their time and energies, and our town is stronger because of a shared ownership of vision and purpose--restoration of homes and businesses and helping people get back on their feet. It's almost 2 months later, and enthusiasm to help is growing.

Community.

There is also a Kingdom that needs building. But it's not made of wood and stone. It's made of people. Flawed people, messy people, hurting people, just-like-me people who all need Jesus as much as I do. The tools we use are not hammers and and saws, but grace and love.

And while we're working side by side, day after day, we can build one another up and share one another's burdens. Neither will want to be there without the other. We'll share ownership, bond while building, and enjoy the fruits of our labors-connections with people, connection with God.

That, dear friends, sounds like community.

Aren't they cute?

Ordinary Friday

I've come to realize that ordinary and extraordinary are inextricably linked.

The day my husband proposed to me was just an ordinary day, until...

the day my parents separated was ordinary until...

the day I found out I was pregnant (each of 6 times!) was ordinary until...

the day my mother-in-law stopped breathing was ordinary until...

Extraordinary.

I have swung the pendulum from bored and ungrateful, drowning in hum-drum to overwhelmed and anxious, and just...well...drowning, and every category of ordinary or extraordinary in between. Too many ordinary days in a row and I can't stand the monotony. Too many extraordinary days and I'm begging for some peace and routine.

Can you say "fickle"?

Here's the thing...I can't appreciate the happy extraordinary days and I can't recuperate from the sad extraordinary days without the ordinary ones. (And really, can't every day take on an extraordinary flavor when I open my eyes to the gifts all around?)

I savor the ordinary more these days. Thankful for the peace and calm, and confident that at any moment, an ordinary day can become extraordinary.

Trying something new with a friend.

Ocean breezes, happy little mums...

For Christmas in 2008, I gave Ken a gift certificate for a B&B in Newport, RI. We finally got around to using it this month. What a delightful 3 days and 2 nights we spent, just the two of us. Uninterrupted conversations (anyone with little ones knows what that's like), no need to hurry anywhere, no routines to keep, so restful. We were spared the devastation of the recent flood, but were still feeling the stress of such sadness by so many we know and care for, the weight of the job of rebuilding a village. A get away was so needed by both of us.

A trip to the ocean is better than any therapy I know. The thundering sound of wave on shore, the musical sound of water as it dances between pebbles, hair blown wild with sea breeze and salt, the utter enormity of ocean spanning as far as the eye can see, is a treat for my senses, and instant relaxation. While there I am reminded how small I am, how big He is, and there are places beyond my everyday world that call to me, invite me to dream.

I could sit in the sun, drinking in the expanse of blue sky, glittering sun on rolling waves, forever.

I'm challenged afresh to keep my eyes open to the wonder and beauty of all that God has made. He didn't have to make the world so breathtaking. It's as if all of creation is a page from a love letter from Father, to us. And a trip to the ocean is not necessary--I just need to open my eyes to the wonder all around. Even in a flood damaged village, happy little mums can lift the spirit and soothe the soul.

I'll be setting some on my porch real soon.