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.