A Good Excuse.

Two weekends ago, a stomach bug moved through the house.  So, while some were sick and some were just waiting for it, we laid low, hung out at home, and didn't go anywhere.  We did little projects, I made ornaments, and on Saturday we all watched My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music, back-to-back.  Sunday night we watched Hello Dolly.  What was great was how much we all enjoyed it together- the musicals, the mellow time, the excuse to say no to everything and stay home.

This much down time wouldn't work every weekend, but last weekend (subtract the vomiting) it really was bliss.

Very Special.

If my life were an '80s Saturday morning sit com, this entire year would just be one long "very special episode".

I told someone that today. It's actually true. It's unreal.

You know what I'm thankful for? Real life, honest friendships, brave friends, a faithful husband, humor, a dissatisfaction with easy answers, peace in the tension, and a God who was here before all things and holds all things together.

And now, the very special-est of all special episodes...

Mwanaments

We've been a part of the Monthly Mwana coffee program since it's beginnings (but you can also buy it by the bag). I began saving the bags thinking I'd reuse them somehow.  At 2 bags a month, since this summer, I collected a lot of bags for myself. 

In the end I decided to make Christmas ornaments out of them (exhibit above).  Altogether, I made 16, then got bored and dropped it.  I'm calling them "mwanaments". 

They are not perfect.  They have that nice, handmade, lots-of-love-if-not-skill quality to them.

Hobo Day 2011, or, as Grace Says, "SDSU: Home of the Mad Rabbits"

Cloudy, windy, and cold but not that bad for November- check.

Randomly running in to random people- check.

Listing off memories as we passed by buildings etc.- check.

Java City- check.

Feeling a little old- check.

Free lunch from ASAE (which included SDSU Cookies and Cream ice cream)- check.

Making sure our kids remembered who invented Cookies and Cream ice cream- check.

Tons of nostalgia and Jacks pride- check.

Enjoying walking around campus so much I forgot to take pictures of actual SDSU landmarks that would have made this post better- check.

Grace practicing with the camera with me- check.

Methodically indoctrinating our four children with Jacks pride- check check.

Dairy Bar (for extra ice cream).... 



Closed on weekends.  Even on Hobo Day.

No Thanks.

A few weeks ago a couple of our kids were given Operation Christmas Child boxes at church.  On our way out, the other two were offered boxes too- and I politely declined, I think I said something about having other commitments for extra giving this holiday season (true). 

But I also have reservations about the program- caveat for the instant-reactors- it's not all bad.  But I feel like there are too many aspects to this giving concept that this family wants to take a thoughtful step back from- and I think churches and businesses sign up for this all-too-quickly because it fills our desire to give a small offering to the guilt-gods around this time of year.  It's a non-sacrifice for most families who participate- giving them a momentary feeling of satisfaction because they gave to those sweet children in the pictures.... While turning around to give extravagantly to their own family.

I just don't want to do this one.  Which people don't always understand. Declining something like this can be communicated as selfishness- as if I don't want to give to others, or don't support the spreading of the Gospel in this way (which, well, maybe I don't...I don't know).  Anyway- we don't do it.  It's complicated.

And this Sojourner's article encapsulates many of my reservations about it.

Living of Love

For just one chance to find
Love was someone that you love to find
For just the sense to try
To walk ahead and leave the pain behind
If the days aren’t easy and the nights are rough
When they ask you what you’re thinking of
Say love, say for me love
Say love, say for me love

Your heart says not again
What kind of mess have you got me in
But when the feelings there
It can lift you up and take you anywhere
But the gravel beneath you and the limbs above
If anybody asks you where your coming from
Say love, say for me love
Say love, say for me love

Say yes we live uncertainty
And disappointments have to be
And everyday we might be facing more
And yes we live in desperate times
But fading words and shaking rhymes
There’s only one thing here worth hoping for
With Lucifer beneath you and God above
If either one of them asks you what your living of
Say love, say for me love

Living of Love, The Avett Brothers

Love the Pug.

Yuck.

  (But she did ask for it...)