saintlewis

My Wellness tool this week can be summed up in one simple word

{Community.} another word could be

Support Network

I am reflecting the various ways people I do life with ministered to me

In      the       last        five             days.

There’s last Friday- when a dear friend came over in the morning while drinking coffee we shared our hearts- praying with each other.

There is the friend who provided feedback for a specific situation. She did’nt tell me what I wanted to hear but she did tell the truth in love. She told me what she was hearing as I shared my dilemma. She later sent me some verse references via text. These type of friends are invaluable to me.

They there is the friend who I exercised with yesterday we have some similarities in life situations right now…. We prayed together and encouraged one another.

There is the small group of friends who gathered Saturday night to pray with one another. We each shared where we were in life and what we felt God was doing in and through us. We prayed for one another.

There is the friend who called last night to share good news.

There is the guy who works with Shannon- sharing with me that he is praying for us and agreed that God is moving within our lives and sees our vision.

Then there are my parents they came to the Night of Worship Sunday night and then invited us over for sandwiches. We talked of what this year holds for us as well as prayed for one another.

Then there are the girls who I met with last night for songwriting circle. Once again I shared a rewritten song and the start of a “new” one. What a relief to share my “ humble beginnings” and hear the feedback. I in turn appreciate the chance to offer my thoughts and suggestions on original songs written by these girls. This gathering is like oxygen to my soul.

Life is challenging at every turn but it is so much sweeter shared with authentic friends.

I am thankful that over the last year and a half I have learned how to be an open honest person sharing life with others.

We all need people in our lives to support us and love us. And to tell us the truth.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend but profuse are the kisses of the enemy. Proverbs 27:6

Feb 3, 2010 7:00 AM

Today- in lieu of wellness [a nugget of truth on health and well-being].

This week has been particularly fun……

Fun is important… or the “ness” of the word. How much fun-ness have you had this week?

{Playing}“Is it in your vocabulary  ?”

Madeleine L’ Engle says:

“One of the greatest weapons of all is laughter a gift for fun a sense of play which is sadly missing from  the grown-up world.”

We are designing- fashioning-outfitting- our album cover. This has led me to search goodwills antique shops yard sales and any other rummage atmosphere. I am also not limited to digging under my bed and making various calls to good  friends-petitioning to borrow such items as feathers 1920’s hat aprons suspenders and overalls. These are just a few items I have gathered as props.  NOTE: these are merely ideas My possibility pool really feels like a storm. A tangled mess of inspirations that have to be sorted through.

Yesterday I walked into goodwill and spotted this glorious hat.

It matched my outfit perfectly. I put it on instantly I felt stunning and had that extra spring in my step. I bought the hat and wore it for the rest of the shopping excursion. Later at TG Maxx I was stopped by a women. She said “I love the way your dressed I imagine you had fun putting that outfit together. Is’nt it fun being a girl.”?

There is the word… two times. {Fun}. I was overjoyed that my outfit said  {fun}  to someone. Another stranger stopped me later emphatically stating they liked my outfit

.Oh – and then there was the man in Ross who said sarcastically to his wife… “Hey you should get a hat like that”… she wrinkled her face in disgust.

Hey that’s cool. I’ve been realizing that as I am free to REALLY be who I am- not everyone will like it. Im getting cool with that.

Getting-being the operative word. It’s a journey people.

I had a photographic artist friend who happens to be a fashion genius. She came over to have a stylist session with me. It was crazy fun. I say crazy cause I actually felt a twinge of guilt- it just seemed like too much fun to be having on a Monday afternoon as the mother of two. We laughed and giggled in my room while trying various outfits I had pieced together and then modeling said outfits for Shannon.  We curled my hair (like the 50’s) tried on different dresses with different aprons red high heels various  hats. Antique props.

I’m having fun.

Buying overalls for Shannon at Wal-mart (which are hot – by the way). Putting on red lipstick. Trying on “housewife dresses”.

Being days away from finishing a long awaited project.

There was a time I felt the need to always be in a hurry rushing and working hard. Fun– it was not something I allowed too often.

Pshaw– with that stinkin stinkin- experiencing fun and play is essential for my well- being.

I am sending a shout out to all the grown ups in the house…… have a sense of play ask Daddy God for a gift of fun .

I leave you with some more words from the beloved Madeleine L’ Engle:   “Laughter breaks down wall.” (CIRCLE OF QUIET Crosswick Journal v. 1)

And a phrase from the Proverbs ( 17:22)

Laughter doeth good like medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones

If laughter is a weapon let’s use it~

I dare to say- Life is fun (this week at least)!

This year we made it. We made the trip to Helen GA to the Glen-Kenimer-Tucker House to have Thanksgiving with family. This inherited historic home is a history book in and of itself. The house is located in Nachoochee Valley referred to as “Nachoochee” for as long as I can remember. The mere name results in comedy when children attempt to pronounce it! Due to pregnancy work and other complexities we have been unable to make the trip the past two years we were glad to be there this year. To frost the trip we spent the first two nights of the week in Decatur with my sister and her husband ( Zach of four months).

Monday afternoon: We hit the “trail” (okay “road” but trail sounds more fun) only two hours past our planned departure. We packed everything imaginable… except for no socks for the boys and no bottoms for mom. I suppose I just planned on walking around in my panties all week especially when hiking the trails in the North Georgia mountains. So my brain was fried by the time I attempted my own packing. I managed to get a bag full of cute tops sweaters shoes earrings toiletries etc. – just no pants! This sort of packing is quite an – only achieved through total overload of all mental systems state! The problem was easily eradicated by my fashion-saavy sister. Thanks Beth!

Arriving late in the evening Kenimer was elated to finally be able to go to Aunt B’s house and the boys were overjoyed to find that B had “movies” (anything that has pictures that move) on-tap. The boys were mesmerized by cable TV enabling the adults to have some good talk time!

Tuesday My sis Bethany and I went shopping and explored the Decatur Square area. We each had Thanksgiving baking assignments so a trip to the DeKalb Farmers Market was necessary. Collections of food types from all over the world was stunning. Above all I loved seeing collections of global produce and grains. Quinoa buckwheat and amaranth were a few items found in low- priced abundance!

My hubbie took the boys to Grace Fellowship Church – where Zach works and Shannon wanted – to say “hello” and tour the church facilities. Following the boys short afternoon nap Bethany’s husband Zach arrived home and wrestle-mania began. Needless to say the boys like their Uncle Zack whom my youngest – Tucker – now calls “Bubba”.

Zach called while we were shopping with a great idea which produced a great evening: a babysitter for the boys allowing a night out for brothers and sisters!. First stop: Sushi in the square met up with our new friends Pat & Meg and then wandered over to the Brick Store (nope they didn’t sell bricks) for some extended hang-out time where my Nashville-based Bro Mckendree met us. It was an amazing time with much-loved family!

The unforeseen blessing was when the babysitter declined our pay and we later found that she was paid by Aunt B and Uncle Z. What a bolt from the blue blessing! We spent the wee hours sharing specialty cheeses discussing everything but the sun and enjoying council of siblings.

Visiting my sis’s house engrained this truth into my head: The little girl I grew up with is now a woman: she makes menus grocery shops and shares recipes with me. Sharing this season with her is delightful to say the least. Her apartment is so homey cozy and welcoming. It’s kind of crazy that these people you shared rooms and bathrooms with while growing up now have their own houses and meet up with you in big cities for reunions. Now those times are mere memories serving as bridges to the present. My how things do change.

Thus concludes: Thanksgiving at the big house Part 1 – Part 2 coming soon!

Back in the day whilst tendering my service as a kindergarten teacher I planned made costumes rehearsed songs and took part in dress rehearsals for many a kindergarten plays and PTA showcases. Walking the hall with my class – single file with hands behind their backs – into the backstage entrance. Parents would try to catch a glimpse of their lil’ pilgrim Indian or elf – whatever the theme might’ve been. Never mind whether the children sang on key – or sang at all – or did what they were supposed to: the parents were still elated – so proud of their little ones.

Some parents cried while laughing at their cute little offspring. I can remember feeling stressed because so many parents wanted me to pose with their pilgrim or elf and I simultaneously was trying to smile so little “Johnny” would have his picture to reminisce about Kindergarten all the while trying to keep up with my class of 21. Whew! I often wondered- what will it be like to be sitting in the audience comprised of other proud parents watching my child singing songs reciting a poem etc. Will I really take  that many pics when it’s mine? My mind pondering the deep thoughts of future parenthood.

Fast forward 4 years…

It is my turn now!

Today was the big day. Kenimer – my first born son – had his first Thanksgiving celebration. The parents were invited and asked to bring a side dish to enjoy at the feast afterwards. Myself Shannon and Tucker arrived with cameras charged – ready to have a flash-fest our homemade pumpkin pie in hand. The director made her speech and it began: the single-file line of Pilgrims and Indians filed in. My heart lept as I anxiously looked for my little Indian boy. Then I saw him: feathered hat drawings on his face etc file onto the stage and began to sing. His next gesture was amazing and I will never forget it. He turned his head and saw his Pipie (granddad) Allie (grandma) Mom Dad and brother Tucker. He very loudly greeted each one of us from the stage while the songs were being sung.

OH HEY MAMA! OH THERE’S PIPIE! THERES ALLIE! HEY PIPIE! HEY ALLIE! HEY TUCKER!  ”He then proceeded to count loudly “There one PIPIE; 2 ALLIE; 3 MAMA; 4 DADDY; and 5 TUCKER.” Five of his favorite people were there to see him. He sang and did the motions interjecting every third or fourth line to shout “Hello!” to one of the five people who were there for him.
And yes in case you were wondering I did take that many pictures I did shed tears I did laugh hysterically. Have you ever seen a cuter Indian boy?

A few of the pics and a short video for your entertainment.