Thursday, I cleaned house and made a manicotti dinner for our small group. A couple of kids came this week, and Melia was happy to watch them. We pay her for the weeks she is down with kids - though she truly enjoys spending time with them. Millie, our labradoodle, doesn't enjoy kids quite as much as Melia does.
Chandler and Rebekah, a couple from our small group, weren't feeling well so we asked if a meal would be helpful. We had enough left over from small group to take a manicotti dinner and cookies to them this morning. I got diverted and talked much longer than was needful. Melia was beginning to wonder where I was by the time I got home. ::snort::
CoRielle's kids were due for our Friday date...I made it home before they did. We did the normal games and such...but I also enlisted a bit of help to finish dinner preparations.
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| He did a great job with this job - and I stayed right there. |
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| A fun toy from the library |
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| Snow play |
Charles refused to bring his snow clothes. He was told he'd need to stay on the deck but would still be going outside. I couldn't just let him stand on the deck, so he went to work out there for me with my special shovel for the Trex deck.
The boys climbed the berms outside of our windows and walked the ridge. We can't see out the windows down there any longer. Look, the lilacs are blooming. I'm trusting they KNOW the right time to bloom. Seems a bit early for me with all the cold temps we are having.
Benny convinced Danny it was easier to crawl through the yard than to walk. I'm not convinced.
Meanwhile Ellie and Papa found things to do INSIDE!
The kids went home to celebrate Cory's birthday! Melia helped set the table while I put the final touches on dinner. I had enough salad and melon from small group to serve tonight, along with rice and Chicken Divan. We had strawberry shortcake for dessert.
As we worked, I began to remember. Our table began its life at Hospitality House in Misawa, Japan. When the ministry was closed out, they gave the table to a family from the chapel who was also involved with Hospitality House. It was free with the stipulation it be used for ministry/hospitality around the table. When this family moved, they didn't have room in their household goods for the table and began to look for a new home for it. They gave it to us...It's big...and we have tried to keep it full and crowded. We nearly moved the table downstairs as we didn't need a big one up here and we really haven't had much community other than family the last few years.
After Josiah was killed Laura, a dear online friend, sent us a huge box of puzzles and a couple of "ornaments" too. One said, "Be love" on one side and "Beloved Community" on the other. She knew our vision to love courageously and for community. She also sent one that says, "I want a house with a crowded table." She said they reminded her of us, and she suspected Josiah was the type to attract and create community as well. He was. Over the past few years as I've dusted, I've smiled at the ornaments and told God I trusted him to bring community back into our lives. They were a sweet reminder of what life was like before and a promise that it would be again.
It seemed pointless to have a big table upstairs when most nights there are only three of us to sit around it. I'm glad we didn't move the table downstairs. Our season is changing, our doors are open and we have a crowded table once again. We sense a restoration of community and ministry. To be sure we are a bit slower, grief still exhausts us, some days the load is heavy...but community is forming.
We can fit 12 around the table - it's tight but it works. At this point our small group of two weeks, including kids, can sit around the table and it's been a great way to get to know each other.
Last week we had
Eric and Ingrid over and ate and played games around the table. Tonight we had Paul, Jinnifer and their homeschooling family over. We love this family. Their daughter, Jane, is Melia's age and we are creating space for a friendship to form....actually for all of us. We were previously attending a life group that met in their home. That season transitioned for them, but we can still enjoy time with each other.
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| Mike, Daniel, Melia, Jane, Lucy, Jinnifer and Paul |
In the midst of the fun, I noted, with joy, the table is full!!! We had 8 around it tonight...12 will fit if we put 4 on each side and 2 on each end. Eight is comfortable...it was a joy to realize our rhythm of hospitality is BACK and we love it.
Looking ahead to next week we'll be hosting the kids and March's family celebration, so I've chosen not to add another hosting event to the weekend. Next weekend we are hosting Melia's sisters over-night.
Who should we invite next? And better yet, what are some meals you fix for a crowd? I'm running out of ideas!
