Celebrating My Aunt Claire

At Holly's wedding

Today is my Aunt Claire's birthday; it is a day to celebrate her and her unique gifts and attributes.

A year ago, I had the opportunity to attend my aunt's retirement dinner marking her years of service in the United Methodist church.   The two hundred plus people from all stages of her life who came to honor and celebrate her speaks to Aunt Claire's ability to do relationships well.

And how Aunt Claire does relationships is a model to me.  All my life, she has been active in her nieces and nephews and, now, grand nieces and nephews' lives.  She knows them all, not just by name, but for who they are. And they know and love her.

Beyond family though, I would hear about how she was going to this person's concert or that person's play or this one's celebration.   I saw and heard about the time she spent in youth group activities and the dance ministry.  She is an example for how I model my own relationships.  Just as she invests in the children (many now grown) around her, I want to do the same with the children (some almost grown) around me.

So today, on Aunt Claire's birthday, I am appreciative of her love, not only for me, but for her family and those placed in her life.   One day, I hope that people will be able to say of me that I did relationships as well as Aunt Claire.

Meet-A-M Event and Food

Saturday, we had a Meet-A-Missionary event.  The people who came and spoke work in an undisclosed part of the world with an unreached people who don't have access to the Good News of Jesus.

We planned an Indian meal for this event.  And recognizing that some crazy people aren't big fans of Indian, we had an American alternative.   Sadly, I didn't think to take pictures until everyone had gone through the lines.  But you can see how much was eaten.   My brother and sister-in-law made a vindaloo, chickpea and potato dish and vegetable korma, 2 friends made chicken korma and chickpeas with tomato, and I made chicken tikka masala.   Add in some naan, samosas, cucumber yogurt salad, pickles, and snack mixes and you have some pretty amazing food.

Indian food!!!!

(Notice how nicely the Naan is quartered.  Rachel (16) thought it hysterical that I was compelled to show her how to quarter the bread.  She may have a point.)

More Indian

There was salad, mac and cheese, and BBQ chicken for the unenlightened.

And desserts especially some amazing ones by a friend and Juliet.

Indian food just makes me happy.  So does good company.

2 lovely girls

One of my favorite families

My favorite people

Memorization

The past few weeks have been rough for a variety of reason with lots of anxiety, worries, and frustrations.  I want to act in a godly way, but, often, it is so hard.  In the moment, I get angry, frustrated, or resentful.

Yet, bible memorization has been a help over and over.

Monday night, as my stomach was twisted, I sat in my meeting and wrote out Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious about nothing. But in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.   These words are a balm to my soul.

Driving Tuesday, James 1:20 Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.  For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God reminded me to pray and not react out of anger.

Swimming Wednesday, I was encouraged to act honorable by Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 

When I started my new job, I wanted to make the most of my time in the car and memorized Philippians.  After Philippians, I was going to conquer all sorts of scripture but John 14-17 and Matthew 5-7 defeated me.  I stopped the habit of memorizing until a couple months ago.  I was weary of listening to NPR (and I do love NPR) and decided to try another epistle.  Epistles work for me as there is a general theme and thought process that is easier to follow and memorize.  I relearned Philippians and am now on James.

These Scriptures are implanting themselves in my soul.  I spend a good portion of my drive and swimming reciting Scripture.   As Philippians says, Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable, whatever is praiseworthy, if anything be excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things.

I am thankful for this time of memorization and the way it is causing me to press on to the upward goal of the prize of God in Christ Jesus. 

D is for...

A D dinner party!  D may have been one of my favorite letters to theme food around yet.

Deer and Dogs (hotdogs) were the main food with doritoes, dippy chips, dill pickle dip (amazing), daiquiris, dill dip with veggies, dole brand and other d brand fruits, and so on.  Such good food!

 

I had a "dope" domestic cat in outer space shirt courtesy of my sister.  (Yes it's a stretch.) Others were more standard- dinosaur shirts, tie Died, dress, denim, diapers!, dressed up, dark blue, dogs....

Kati, the kids and I played Dixit.  I love seeing the imagination of the kids as they come up with clues.

The kids gave everyone D names- I was Daffodil for the night.  There was a dance contest which Amelia won just beating out Sarah who tried to bribe the judges with donuts.  You could roll doubles for dum-dums and dress the dolls.  So much creativity with D.

And just because these kids are sooooo cute.

Another successful letter party. Next time- N.

Practical friendship

Today is Mother's Day.  I love my mother and all that she has done, is doing, and will be doing for me.  But I don't love Mother's Day.   I woke up this morning purposing to be content in who I am in Christ and realizing that my life is good and right as it is.

It's not always easy though.  I can look at social media and long for what others have.  I can go the coffee shop that gives free coffee to mothers and get frustrated. (I got coffee- I have a pet rock I am a mother to. It counts, right?)  I can get irritated when all the mothers are asked to stand in church to be honored. (I need grace on this one.  Nothing makes me feel more aware of being childless than traditions like this.)

I have a choice to make.  How do I react?  What is my heart attitude? This year was an easier year than other years for a multitude of reasons.

Partly this is because, today, four friends encouraged me in their own special ways.  Monique let my sister and I monopolize her son and have first dibs at holding him as always. She recognizes us as his aunts.   Lori and Jerry said nothing but, knowing it may be difficult, included me in lunch today as they include me in their lives on a day to day basis.  And Linda wrote a card encouraging and loving and perfect for me and where I am at.

Today, I am thankful for my mother. But I am also thankful for godly friends; friends who love in practical and real ways.

Questions about Brotherly Love

Recently loving one another has come up in conversations. I have been praying to love others better, and God has been sending me some people to practice loving others.  If you know me, you know this isn't the easiest thing for me.

Sure, I love my sister who is my favoritest person ever.  I love my friends who I naturally have common interests in and similar personalities and sense of humor.  Nothing makes me happier than meeting Monique for coffee on a Saturday morning or book club with my friends or game night and coffee with Sarah and family.  And if they ask me to do anything, I like to think that I will drop everything to do it.

But what about the unlovable? What about the sensitive people?  What about the people I have nothing in common with?  What about the quirky people (who clearly I am not)?  ~ Can you see I have a problem with naturally loving people?

What does it mean to love one another especially those I don't like?  And this is what I am learning and grappling with.  I know it means putting their interest above mine.  I know it means overlooking faults and praying for them and building them up.   But does it mean I have to like them? And what does "like" even mean?  So you can see I have a lot of thoughts swirling around.

I don't know all the answers.

Scripture says-
Love the Lord your God .... and love your neighbor as yourself. These is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31
Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this. to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15-12-13
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

Clearly I am commanded to love. But what does love look like?

1 Corinthians says Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails.  

These verses give me a picture of love in action.  In loving the unlovable, I am to be patient and kind and not easily angered - things that don't come naturally.  The verses don't tell me the specifics of what to do and not do.  However if my actions are kind, not self-seeking, not keeping a record of wrong, maybe the rest will follow.

For today I don't know.  And that is okay.  I will pray to love others and for God to show me how.