It's been a day.

and my thoughts keep coming back to this word:
Community.

Webster's defines it as:
1: a unified body of individuals: as
a: state, commonwealth
b: the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself
c: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location
d: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society
e: a group linked by a common policy
f: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests
g: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
2: society at large
3 a: joint ownership or participation; b: likeness; c: social condition

My good friend KayDee had a great, thought-provoking, sit-back-and-think post today. It was about "community." Her thoughts, her observations, her insight, her words... they made me really stop & think.
That word "community"... what is it?
What does it mean... not just according to Webster's dictionary... but to me?

I have several communities, groups, circles that define me, that comfort me, that nurture me, that protect me, that trust me, that confide in me, that make my life mine.

My home.
My husband, my boys, our dogs, our cat.
Our plaid couch, our log bed, our kitchen table.
My gray hooded sweatshirt, my favorite GAP: long&lean jeans, my glasses.

Our babysitter.
The open arms, the generous spirit, the love, the understanding that is given to my children is irreplaceable.
Trusting someone to do what I can't is hard. Allowing them to aide in the raising of my children is hard. Pulling out of the driveway watching Mason waving goodbye is hard. I hadn't even thought about the fact that in his little world, they are a huge piece of what he knows as "community."

My school.
The place that has been home to me for almost 11 years. The building that hundreds of families send their children to each day to become educated. The rooms that welcome each person who enters. The institution I'm proud to be a part of. The place that thrives because of what it is made of.

Our church.
That handshake as you walk in the door. That special greeting time set aside during worship to "check-in" with the people you can't see every day. The praises that are sung. The words that are taught. The comfort & peace that is felt while sitting in the back, or the front, or the left or the right.

Blog world.
A place where people share as little or as much as they want. They seek advice, they offer wisdom, they share their highlights, they respond to each other. A place where we each sit... in our own homes, at our desks, on a chair at Starbucks, at our workplace, or maybe even in the car and relate to each other. We reach out to each other. We encourage & affirm each other.

Community.

I was in a meeting this afternoon. The topic of the meeting was something I'm passionate about. Education. The participants in this meeting were leaders of the schools in the community that I call home. I spoke on behalf of my school and for some reason, found myself in tears. All choked up and at a loss for words.
In tears, in front of administrators, peers, co-workers. Emotional. Passionate.
I was thinking about the word community.
I was struggling with the fact that in most communities there is a need to be the best.
There is a desire to receive praise.
There is competition.
There is a race to the top.

I want praise from my husband at home - even when I don't always give it to him.
I want my babysitter to tell me that my children are perfect - even when I know they are not.
I want my peers to recognize the things I do that make our school better - even when I'm just a small, miniature piece in the puzzle - and really... it's not about me, it's about kids.

I want, I want, I want. But wait - community is about giving & receiving. It's not about one person, it's about a group.
It's about helping.
It's about guiding.
It's about leading.
It's about commitment.
It's about endurance.
It's about understanding - not always agreeing, but making an effort to understand.
It's about uplifting.
It's about interacting.

Look at the communities you're involved in.
Look at the expectations you've set for those communities.

and then... all of a sudden, maybe it will make sense.

It's not about me... it's about us.
Communities aren't just one person doing and giving and making everything.
Communities aren't about competition.
Communities aren't meant to hinder, they're meant to build up.

What can you do to make your community better today?
Those places that define, mold & make you... what are you giving back?
Are you only giving when you feel like it?
Are you competing without even realizing it?

Hmmm.... is life about me or about us?

whirlwind weekend

left home at 4:48 Thursday afternoon.





arrived home at 4:48 Sunday afternoon.

72 hours of amazing things ... and crazy pictures from the back seat of the car.

• driving


• sleeping


• eating


• cruising


• napping


• shopping


• rehearsing


• laughing


• walking


• joking


• meeting


• praying


• dancing


• crying


• smiling


• standing


• freezing


• calling


• enjoying


• remembering


• visiting


• capturing


• running


• jumping


• loving

This whirlwind weekend was fast and furious.
It was everything I expected it to be ... and more.
The weather was picture perfect, the wedding was amazing, and the people were awesome!
This trip to Montana will be the first of many... seriously - why did I wait so long to get myself there?!

Here are a few of the great memories captured...

Listen to Love

September 1994.

Listen to Love was tucked away in our belongings.
Allison & I were just beginning life on our own.
Life away from our small town.
Life apart from each other.
We set out for two different worlds - two different colleges - two different lives.

13 years later - in our two different worlds - in our two different lives - we're still friends... best friends.
13 years later - we still have our Listen to Love books tucked away for safe keeping... the awesome, inspiring, poetic book that my mom knew we needed to have as we headed our separate ways. The book she herself had tucked away as her college adventure began.
Listen to Love.

I'm leaving for Montana tomorrow.
So excited.
So ready.
So thrilled to visit this beautiful country my best friend calls home.

My best friend is getting married.
My best friend who knows me almost better than I know myself is becoming a "MRS".
My best friend who has waited patiently for the right "MR" is giddy with excitement.
My best friend has listened to love.

I've been trying to find the perfect words to write in her card.
I've been praying for wisdom in knowing just what to say.
I've been looking in all of the books I own for just the right quote or verse.
I've found it.
It was here all along, sitting on the shelf.
Listen to Love.

Prologue
**Love has many voices. Love sends its greeting in the smile of a friend, the contented sighs of a baby, the felt whispering of the Spirit.
"God is love," says John the Evangelist. "He who dwells in love is dwelling in God, and God in him."
Love speaks in many places. It leans against the neighbor's fence or comes sniffing into a kitchen filled with cooking. It walk amid the bustle of the city streets or stands on a crowded bus.
Love has many moods. Sometimes love is bold and happy or else it is anxious and hesitant. Sometimes it is riotous and demanding, or gentle and relaxed, or even sober and practical. Sometimes love just waits.
Love comes in all seasons. It rides the icy winds of winter and laughs with raindrops in the spring. It wanders through the restless heat of summer and catches leaves of autumn as they fall.

Listen to love.

Inside my copy of this awesome book of reflections, I found a letter Allison wrote to me 13 years ago.
13 years ago... when we were young and thought we knew everything.
13 years ago... when we were excited to start the new adventures that lie ahead of us, and had no idea where we would end up.
13 years ago... when our friendship could have faded - but it didn't.

13 years ago she wrote:

• Love really is a powerful thing and right now I do not believe I will ever understand everything about it.
• Good relationships allow room for error and growth.
• A good relationship is strong enough that words do not always have to be spoken.
• Our friendship means that I have a person in my life who believes in my hopes and dreams and encourages me to fulfill them. It means I have someone whom I can share laughter, hugs, and special times. It means I'm here to be with you.

13 years ago she was writing about us... about the relationships we had... about life at the age of 18.

On Saturday - this Saturday - October 27th, 2007 ... I'm going to give her those same words (plus a few others). I'm going to hand her a copy of those same words that she wrote to me 13 years ago.
The advice she gave is powerful.
The words she wrote are true.
The insight she had is amazing.
The marriage she is about to begin is all about Listening to Love.

Bozeman... here we come.

Taking Time

Beautiful weather screaming to be enjoyed.

The piles of papers/bills/catalogs/magazines on the table can wait.
The clean dishes in the dishwasher begging to be put away... I think they've been in there for 3 days now... they can wait.
The toys scattered from here to there... pretty much everywhere... they can wait.

There are too many things - good things, great things, meaningful things - things that seem to be few and far between lately... things that were calling his name.

The beatiful light streaming through the trees.
The new markers and infatuation with drawing rainbows.
The trampoline piled high with pillows to jump on.
The enormous amount of leaves we now get to enjoy.

Why can't there be more times like this to enjoy the "great" things in life?

Maybe there is the time - it's probably been there all along... I just need to make sure I actually take the time before it's gone.

(not the best video... but my future photographer in the making) :)

Being "Human"

Stepping back into the full-time working mom~farmer/rancher wife mode has been interesting.
I'm learning a lot about myself.
I'm seeing things from a different view.
I'm smiling & appear to be doing "great" to the world around me, but am struggling with my attitude inside - especially at home.
I'm tired.
I'm searching for ways to be more efficient.
I'm human.

My habits aren't all they're cracked up to be.
The organizational skills I once had mastered are now fuzzy and jumbled.
I am still a professional multi-tasker & probably always will be.
I don't react in positive ways as often as I want to.
I expect perfectionism from my husband and children, but need to look in the mirror.
I'm a great friend to a lot of people, but still question who I really am.
I'm human.

I'm sitting here tonight - having some quiet time to reflect and think about me.
...and I can't help but wonder: What God is seeing when He looks at me?
Is He seeing what I'm seeing?
Is He wishing that he was seeing something else?
Is He watching me roll my eyes ?
Is He hearing the frustration in my voice?
Is He crying with me, for me, or because of me?
Is He hoping for more time with me?

My book of Lists to Live By is open yet once again.
My Max Lucado books are stacked about 2 feet high on the table next to me.
My Message Bible is open to James.
My heart is heavy, but I know that God is at work.

I have two lists to share with you. As I read them, I stopped... & pondered... & prayed... & re-read them at least 5 times.
These lists contain things I "know."
These lists contain things I do (sometimes).
These lists are now taped to my bathroom mirror.

TO BE A GOOD FRIEND
1. Smile often; laugh aloud now and then; giggle even.
2. Become aware of several things that you especially enjoy. Watch for others who enjoy those same things.
3. Identify an acquaintance who has a need you can supply. Offer yourself.
4. Learn to enjoy being alone with yourself. Identify what elements of living enrich your life. Incorporate them in your daily routines. If you are happy being with you, it's likely others will enjoy your company too!
5. Forget what you give, and remember what you receive.
6. Be the one who is there doing when others are asking "Is there anything I can do?"
7. Listen - even in the silence.
(from "Friends Through Thick & Thin")

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY
1. Never tell jokes that slander.
2. Never criticize in public unless you: have already expressed your disappointment with the other person in private, have already taken someone with you to discuss the grievance with the person, and are absolutely convinced that public reprimand is necessary and will be helpful.
3. Never say anything about anyone in their absence that you wouldn't say in their presence.
(from Max Lucado - "God Came Near")


Both lists are powerful.
Both lists are worthy of being followed.
Both lists convicted me.
Both lists reminded me of the person I need to strive to be... ALL the time.
Both lists are the desire of my heart.
Both lists are affirmations that I AM HUMAN and that I need to remind myself time and time again of these simple words:

~ Treat others the way you want to be treated.
~ Say things that you would want others to say.
~ Act in a way that is a reflection of God at work in you.
~ If it doesn't feel right - don't do it, don't say it, don't even think it.

I said some things this week I shouldn't have said.
I let frustrations take over.
I let things get to me & didn't want to let them go.
I thought I knew best when I really didn't.
I was human.

and now... as a NEW week begins, I'm going to do my very best to focus on, pray for, and radiate these things:

It's best to listen much, speak little. James 1:19 TLB

"The humble heart honors others." (Max)

"Try to treat people the way you want God to treat you." (Max)

The Beach

Where has the time gone?
When did my baby become a little boy?
Wasn't it just yesterday we were enjoying your first trip to the beach?

That first trip to the beach was amazing.
The weather was beautiful.
The beach was ours.
The magic & excitement was captured.

I'm so thankful that I have these pictures to remember the sparkle, the magic, the joy that radiated across the beach that day.
Those eyes - those beautiful, mischievous, captivating eyes - they melt my heart.
I love you sweet Mason - and I pray that you always, always, always have a love for the beach.
The sand.
The water.
The wind blowing in your face.
The smell of the salty air.
The waves crashing against the shore.
The dune grass blowing softly in the breeze.
The things that God has created, that we are so very fortunate to get to enjoy.

This "Mason & Mommy Memory" has been brought to you by The Pelican Pub, Pacific City, Oregon.

Two

Two beautiful afternoons.
Two trips to the pumpkin patch.
Two cans of Squirt.
Two smiling grandparents.
Two hayrides.
Two happy boys.
Two x two = 4 pumpkins on the porch.