WMF Bull Riding Contest, I Mean Board Meeting.

I was commissioned last night at the Board Meeting, it was really beautiful. Phileena shared a sweet reflection on St Francis and St Claire of Assisi and some of their connection to our history in Word Made Flesh. It connected me so much more to the San Damiano cross. I am also reading about another one of our patron saints- Mother Teresa, Come Be My Light. I just finished it and have some thoughts but I’ll save those for a full post.

My Mom, Dad, Grandma and baby sister Lu all came this weekend on the drive (which was notably shorter minus the ’side trip’ two hours into Illinois to Rockford). It is so good for our communities to meet each other. My Grandma said that being at the board meeting was the difference between trusting what was behind the curtain and having the curtain open. Since we, as the movement of Word Made Flesh, live and minister in our community, I’m realizing how much we need to connect people to real faces, real Enneagram types, real stories and jokes ‘behind the curtain’ of our language and lifestyle celebrations.

Chris‘ devotion on Saturday morning was on the humanity of Christ. He made the comment that we’re often practicing Christian gnostics… we always defer to the divinity of Christ and don’t recognize His real humanity. What was Jesus like as a human? We stuff Him into our faith traditions… I know I do that. I’m excited to dive into this more. 

We definitely revisited the dance party this time in Chris and Phileena’s living room. Actual quote: “You should have seen Ben Miller in November! He had record pit stains!” – Caleb. Hahaha. New moves were created, most notably by Chris and Phileena. I cannot even describe this over my blog. You must see it in person, seriously.  It. was. legendary. 

There were kids! So many great, great kids this weekend. Finley came upstairs to say goodbye and kissed everyone, including me on the lips. Oh my gosh, he is a favorite.

I’m super excited and humbled to be able to move in with Marcia and Brittany when I head out to Omaha in November… folks, this is my chance to finally break into the cult, I mean college group, of Taylor University! Seriously though, they are willing to commit to community with me, all my idiosyncrasies and coffee addictions included. I love their collective way of being, it’s awesome.

And, just so you know… There was bull riding. Yes, there was a mechanical bull and many members of the WMF community demonstrated their practical life skills in riding this bull. There was a moment, as we were screaming “Go Word Made Flesh! Serving the poor!” while our International Director of Advocacy flew head over heels off the mechanical bull that I most deeply resonated with Phileena when she said “You’re our people.” Oh yes, community. 

Did you ever have one of those days?

Where you realize halfway through the second loud chorus that you’re belting out “I’m Dreaming of A White Christmas.” In May. Out loud. Unintentionally.

AND, your officemate is sitting right next to you.

Two Stubborn People Look at Nature

The following is a transcript of an actual conversation:

Calvin and I looking at the view from his Mom’s backyard:

Me: What’s on that hill over there? Looks like some buildings?

C: I think it’s trees.

Me: No, I’m pretty sure it’s buildings.

C: Nope, it’s definitely trees.

Me: I know it’s a group of buildings.

C: Yeah, it’s trees.

Me: Nope, buildings.

C: Trees.

Me: Seriously, look. Those are buildings.

C: No, those are trees. Who has the bad eyesight here?

We just shrugged and left the scene.

 

I hate coming home from vacation, so sad… but Lara (Larry) met me at the airport and we ran into each other’s arms. I shouted her name, “LARRY!” There were tears. Then we caught up on all that had happened… in the four days since we saw each other last. 

In 24 hours…

I’ll be hanging out with this guy!

The first time I ever met Calvin was when he was on his Servant Team and I read all the entries on his blog. (Along with the blogs of every other Servant Team/WMF affiliated person I could find.) I thought they all seemed pretty cool, except he clearly didn’t know how to swim. (Judgment from me to you, with love.)

The first time we met in person I remember walking around Omaha talking about some of our fears with moving to Nepal and worries about support raising, it was so encouraging. He brought Jesse and I both Nepali signs for our homes, an example of some the thoughtful things he’s always doing for his friends and community. Speaking of thoughtful, I’m real glad he clued me in to the fact that “ekdam” is NOT spelled “ectum” because that resembles “rectum.” In fact, the only major flaw I’ve found in this hippie is the fact that he hates Nargila’s. Why Calv, why?

I’m pretty, pretty, pretty excited to see my question-asking, snowboard-teaching, intimacy 6, Nepali-spelling, hippie friend! Can’t wait til we start our first crap-on-the-wall restaurant in Nepal someday.

Lynell’s Friends.

My friend Lynell Shooks took this amazing set of pictures of friends who are homeless in Grand Rapids. I thought you might like it.

I do! Along with a lot of things I like in this moment…. including just being purposeful at work on a beautiful, sunny day, knowing what I am doing and why I am doing it.

The Good Fight.

I’m still fighting the good fight with myself and my packrat tendencies. Today I’ve gotten as far as emptying out all the stuff in piles on my desk, but actually you know, sorting it? Well, let’s just say I’ve taken quite a number of Facebook breaks from that.

I had a big work project/event that culminated on Thursday… it was fun! After not being able to think about anything beyond April 3 for the last month, realizing that I’m not a natural event planner and I get really glib when I’m public speaking, I was joyful that it all came together pretty well. And, it was a fun event/award ceremony/celebration. I’m really proud of the people I work with, they are great and open to thinking about what it means to work in our industry in a way that is also faithful to our United Church of Christ tradition of environmental stewardship. I am still recovering, and as a result of this craziness accidentally did not plan one single thing this weekend. That NEVER happens.

Thursday night Kara and I went to see War Dance, which made me even more excited about visiting Mama Gloria this summer in Uganda. It was good, I loved seeing the traditional dances, especially the Acholi Bwola dance. I cried at the end, for the joy that is inherent in a place where Jesus is so present…  Gloria, what kind of dances do the Broccoli tribe have?

Yesterday after work I had a face-ripping off conversation with my dear friend JZ (aka The Ziz) where she told me some tough stuff she sees in me, and I told her some tough stuff I see in her. It was one of those conversations where you leave with a totally different insight into why you do some of the quasi-unhealthy things you do. I’m really thankful when friends have the courage to speak truth into my life and tell me areas where I’m not living out of freedom. I think sometimes because I’m so direct and blunt (and a bit dry too) people have a hard time returning that.  I kept saying “why didn’t you tell me this sooner?!” I must not have been ready to see the truth in what she shared. 

After our conversation we went to Graydon’s Crossing- great! GR place I’ve never been. They have Indian food and fries… my two favorite things! I had a quesadilla Indian style and french fries, agh, what more could you want in life? Did you know I have an obsession with french fries? I could go to the nicest restaurant in the world and get a grilled cheese just so I can have french fries. It’s BAD. And I met Sally and Mike, in laws and friends of Matt and the Ziz. I was able to just do something spur of the moment, it was beautiful to be able to join them… they are really interesting and unique people. 

I’m loving this aspect of no Maggie. I’ve had so much more TIME, just tons more time by myself, time reading, time talking. I move more consciously. I’m going to see how long I can live car-free… it’s another good fight, but I’m excited about it.