Intentional Friendship

Three years ago I left a gathering with friends feeling exhausted and discouraged. Driving home, this single line permeated my thoughts: "These people don't really know me and they are ok with that." I made a decision that day to evaluate my friendships. I actually made a list. I wrote down the names of friends who leave me drained in one column and the names of those who inspire, encourage and are like-minded in the other. Then I made a commitment to spend my time and energy pursuing relationships with those on the 2nd list instead of spending time with the others out of habit. This has proven to be a turning point in my life.

Three years later relationships look very different to me. I have fewer people in my life. But the relationships with these people are so much deeper. I've since moved to another state. But I am finding that the friends I intentionally spent time with are still a part of my life. Ironically, alot of the busyness I used to think was normal has melted away and intentional living has replaced it. Hmmm.

Waves and Breakers

It was so hard to hear those words. Harder still to see the pain on his face. I haven’t seen sin work that hard on a person in at least 10 years. When we have to wear our sin for others to see, it is so harsh. So harsh. I tend to hide a lot of mine because it is so devastating to the self I have made. But today I saw myself in that raw response to sin.

Today I watched someone I love suffer.

It was the kind of suffering that can only be explained by the Fall of Man. The kind that kicks your butt before you realize you’ve been had. Do you remember the first time that kind of sin entered your life? It sucks you in before you realize it is evil. It’s like that wave on the shore that knocks you down before you get a good look at it. You are having fun, playing in the surf. Then WAM! You are swallowing bitter salt and don’t know which direction is up. At that moment you are only under two feet of murky water. But it feels like 10. If you have been to the beach, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Oh, I saw sin like that today. He didn’t know which way was up. He needed help getting out. Who do you know who needs a hand today? Give him Psalm 42:7.

Ink for Africa

When Rebekah left her sweet comment on my post, she made my mom cry. Yes, I like to homeschool and bake and pick blueberries, and I wear an apron everyday. But I also like to invite my friends over for tattoos! Here is the 'raising money for people' thing Rebekah was referring to....

You know adoption is an issue close to my heart. What you may not know is that international adoption is about $20,000 total. Danny and I have some close friends who are adopting and we want to ask all of our friends to join us in supporting them. The next step for this family is to raise an initial $2,200. So we have devised a way to help them. Some of you came to our Tats for Tots party to raise money for our globalx trip to East Asia. That party was a blast and we raised $1,200 that day for our trip.

Jamie Pierce has graciously agreed to come over again (and again) and ink for Africa. Many of you are familiar with his work as he has tattooed alot of people at North Point. Jamie attends church there and really has a heart for missions. Click on the flyer for more details. Basically, we will have a drop in party from noon to midnight on two dates: October 4th and October 11th. If you are coming to donate and hang out, stop by anytime. But if you want to be tattooed, I need to put you on schedule. You can contact me here or on facebook. We will be splitting the tattoo proceeds between Jamie and the adoption fund. So bring cash :).

I will be periodically updating on this event. Hope to see you there.

Corn Hole Holiday

We spent Labor Day with the Johnston's and were enlightened in the ways of Corn Hole. Just the name itself intrigued me enough to venture out in the heat and give it a go. It was alot of fun. We always enjoy an afternoon with Michael and Amy.
Danny and Michael have been friends since they were 16! Amy and I talked homeschool and sewing and had fun looking at each other's latest projects.

This is a dreamy picture of an old fashioned American holiday: shotgun house, picket fence, dog on the porch and a swing full of kids!

I'm Biased

At least my binding is. Thanks to Jean I was able to cut my quilt binding on the bias tonight. Now there will be a candy cane swirl around the edge of my Christmas quilt. Jean (far right) opens her shop late on a regular basis so quilters can work on their projects together. I go as often as possible because it is very motivating to see what others are doing. And Jean is so gracious to help us with our projects. She taught me an easy way to do binding this week that I think I can remember. There aren't many people in the world like Jean. She has a way of making each person who comes in feel like they are important, talented and worth her time. Even if that person puts the needle in their machine crooked...I can't imagine WHO would do that!!!

This is a unique bunch. If you don't believe me, you should see us at the quilt lock-in. We sew for about 30 hours with a Waffle House break for breakfast. It really is refreshing to spend time together as people from different walks of life who have this art as our common bond.

Bring a Friend Week

That is what it was at my house this week. I was thinking this would be the last week of summer break so I did all the things I wanted to do. I had lunch with Jamie and Anisa on Sunday. Monday night they came over with their families. Tuesday I started painting my room and went to a homeschool moms' night. Wednesday I finished painting and went to an Invisible Children United meeting with Candy. Thursday I had lunch with Tiffany (pictured here), my dear friend who just moved back from Italy. That night I went quilting at Sew Memorable. Friday I had coffee with Millie - a lady I met through CNL who I just love, took Noah and Andrew to the movies AND attended a charity function with Philip and Dacia. I cleaned all day today then Chad and Candy came for dinner as did our new friends, the Wills family. They are the coolest family! I met Paula Tuesday at the homeschool meeting. She and her family are preparing to go to Bangkok as missionaries. I liked her the minute I met her. Our families had a good time getting to know one another tonight.

Wow. Looks crazy when I type it all out. Who fed the kids this week? Thanks to Danny, I was able to go out, paint and sew.

Wish I had taken more pictures of my friends this week. Here is one of Chad entertaining Jett with his juggling and balancing act.

That was the fun part of my week. The bummer part is that tonight it sounds like our very old refrigerator is dying. And yesterday our suburban broke down on Hwy. 400 on the way to the charity dinner. But on the bright side, the nicest guy stopped and helped us when we were stranded. He was going the opposite direction on the highway and saw Danny trying to push that suburban onto the shoulder. He turned around and pulled us with a tow strap. He took us up to exit 13, onto hwy 9 and right into our mechanic's parking lot. How about that! Then Chad and Candy left their family dinner and brought us their car so we could go on with our plans for the evening. God sent has sent some caring people in our path! I am grateful.

Happy Birthday Chad

Our buddy Chad is celebrating his birthday in a cool way this year. Check it out. This is one of the most creative ideas I have seen for reaching out to our world. Even if you don't know Chad, you can celebrate his birthday with me! It's a great cause. Chad and Candy have a heart for Ethiopia...so much so that they are going to have an Ethiopian baby! Follow along on their journey. It is just getting started.

Where's My Apron?

What a fun evening we had with the Johnstons. Wish I'd had my camera. Larkin took Jett by the hand as soon as we arrived and proceeded to entertain him for 6 hours. Dove and PJ had a blast with Lucy and her wooden food.

I love being with Amy. She inspires me to be crafty and to pursue my vision of simplicity. Just being around her relaxes me. We talked about homeschooling and quilting...two of my favorite things. And what a baker! I had THREE slices of Amy's strawberry cake! I left inspired on many levels. But first things first: I have to bake a strawberry cake!