Spills happen

After the girls final soccer games on Saturday we headed to The Fireplace for lunch.  Taking our kids out to eat isn't always pleasant.   For example, it takes time to figure out what each one wants to order, where everyone is going to sit and what to do when Karalyn's lemonade spills all over the table, floor and Jillian's legs!  I was frustrated because things weren't going smoothly, but I have to ask myself, "What did you expect?"  So often my expectations are too high... for myself and my family.  As a result, I end up feeling disappointed.  What's sad about this is that I end up missing the moment.  Spills happen and they can be cleaned up a lot easier than wounded hearts.

As we practice hospitality together, let's try to stay cool.  The Holiday's are coming! and now is the time to set some realistic expectations on ourselves, our kids and others.  I don't want to miss any more moments because of some silly spills, how about you?

Friday already?!

Is it Friday already?  As much as I love weekends, sometimes I'm not ready...  not ready to have everyone home all day, for 2 days, if I'm going to be perfectly honest.  The main reason for that is because it takes being organized and come Friday I'm often tired and pretty unorganized!  What helps is if I've had the chance to vacuum and at least know what we're doing for dinner :-)  Seriously, what helps me the most is when I don't rely on how I'm feeling, but I do what I know I should do... and that is practice hospitality... on my family, friends, and anyone else God puts in my path.

I wish you a fun Fall weekend.  Practice some hospitality, won't you?!  Feel free to post a comment and tell me about what you do.

hungry kids, always hungry!!

hungry?

Yesterday I went to my friend Aura's house and today I went to my in-law's house.  I was refreshed physically, emotionally and spiritually in both places.  Funny how when someone practices hospitality on you, you realize just how 'hungry' you were.  Hungry to talk, to be encouraged, to see something pretty, to taste something good...  I think about how important friends and family are and how these relationships need to be nourished.  I think about how we need to give and also receive from those who love us. 

From now on, I hope to think differently when someone opens their door to me.  I will try not to take it for granted.  I will try to remember to say, "Thank you so much" and really mean it because I know it's not always easy to host people.  It's not always easy or convenient, but there are a lot of 'hungry' people out there.  Are you hungry?  If so, give hospitality a try, you just might find yourself being nourished as you nourish someone else :-) 

Community Group Soup!

If weekends are a great time to practice hospitality,

 then Mondays are a great time to blog about it ;-)

We host a Community Group on Sunday evenings.  Yesterday our group had a lot of fun making... soup!  Before you think I'm just totally crazy about soup I'll let you know it wasn't my idea!  The activity came from a book we're working through called the Tangible Kingdom Primer. 

I was just following directions :-)

Bliss's cabbage was the size of a bowling ball!

Anyway, everyone participated by bringing a few ingredients and then we got to work,

chopping, shredding, and peeling.  I must say we made a delicious Minestrone Soup

and had quite a few laughs doing so!

Scott chops while celebrity chefs Sarah and Robbie look on (well kind-of)

Jyoti is so proud of Jeremy!  He did a great job pouring!!

 

While we ate we talked about being a part of a community.  Just like a soup, there are many ingredients that go into making a community.  We listed some, such as, love, belonging, commonality, inclusive, security, and vulnerability.  I think the main ingredient from our Community Group Soup was FUN!

the kids love caring for "the babies"



weekends are for...

Weekends are a great time to practice hospitality... I hope you find yourself surrounded by friends and/or family, sharing some laughs and just enjoying life together.  Whatever you do, invite someone in... 

Have a wonder-full weekend :-)

power is on

Our neighbors have finally gotten their power restored!   Dozens of houses have been without power for 6 days!  I am so relieved and happy for them.  I am also amazed by how well people handled the situation.  I honestly don't know if I would have been as good.  I did not hear a lot of complaining, but heard how family and friends helped out.  How great is that?!  We all need each other!!  

Well, this hospitality gal did not come to any one's rescue.  That's okay.  My lesson, just be available. 

get some sleep

The branches that have lined our street for the past few days were picked up today and all my kids were able to go to school.   I was thankful for some peace and quiet this morning.  With 4 kids, I don't get a lot of that.  I also don't get a lot of  sleep, but I can't always blame the children for that either!   I went to bed early last night.  A good nights sleep makes a big difference for me.  

When we were without power we went to bed much earlier than we normally do because there was no TV or computer to sit in front of.  Plus, we were tired.  I'll have to remember that.  I'll have to remember that just because I can... doesn't mean I have to.  Just because I can stay up and watch TV, read email, check FB, etc. doesn't mean I have to or even should.  I do know that it's important for me to take care of myself so that I can better take care of others.   I hope to do that this afternoon...