Sorry I'm not a.... Somalian baby!

Wonderful 4th of July weekend Part II:

While my other friends were tanning at the beach, I was playing catch phrase in the North Carolina mountains with some lovely people. And I loved it...every bit of it. I promised last night that I'd document the wonderfulness of the stay at the Brown's cabin. First of all, I just have to say how good they are. There's no telling how many people they have extended this lovely vacation home to out of the goodness of their heart! And then how awesome Chad is for getting it all planned. As a matter of fact, let me just brag on my friends.

1) Chad. Chad has credentials that every real man should have, and every Christian for that fact. He made so many kind gestures, big and small and did them all gladly. It still makes me smile thinking about how he took stuff from the drivers seat that was in my way just to get out of my way, how he set the table for all of us to eat at, how he fixed coffee just right when we were cooking, how he so awesomely d.j.'d, how he did odds and ends around the cabin that we asked him about, how he cleared out a fire pit. Did it all happily, or did a good job making it seem that way :)

2) Stephanie. Steph is just simply lovely. She has listened to my sometimes non-cohesive thoughts and groanings and has shown nothing but empathy and love. She makes things so happy and light-hearted. She is a blast and can make me laugh at pretty much any point..."I'm sorry I'm not a ... Somalian baby." She also does stuff without complaining, and is glad to help wherever help is needed, no matter what type it is. She's honest, she's positive, she's selfless, she's a good cuddler, and a good friend.

3) Alex. Alex is simply salt of the earth. Introspective at times, but always insightful. One of those who seems smarter because he doesn't interject ridiculousness into a situation. He's also glad to do anything for anyone, and one of the last to moan about it- even when the situation would obviously be frustrating. He consciously makes good decisions, even if the most of us would let our feelings take control. A good friend.

Together we had some sweet fun, and awesome food. I'm missing the pancakes and watching the sun set right about now. Aaand the perfect fresh air, everything around me being green, waking up to Stephanie, outdoor showers, outdoor chairs, insane hikes, Chad's momma's everything cookies, listening to wonderful mixed cd's, driving down, up, and around the mountains, only mountains surrounding us, the convenience of no cell service, laughing until I cry (or in some people's cases, peeing a little on myself), talks with God, and smiling faces.

Thank you, Jesus.
Amen.

I didn't think about myself for five hours and it was blissful

This blog is the first of a two-part series unveiling the significance of the recent 4th of July weekend, 2010. It is not chronologically ordered, but begins with a situation that is astronomically, hugely important to me.

So, sparing you the details, I'll simply say that I have been reunited with some family members. 5 members, to be exact. 5 a-maz-ing members named Sheila, Mary Kate, Macey, Kylie and Chase. I haven't seen them in two years, at least any of the children. Today after a most amazing weekend, my mother brought Mary Kate and Macey up in my car to drop it off and hang out for a few hours.

I say this last statement as if it is just any other day. But, it's monumental- I've not seen these amazing young ladies in two years. How much catching up to do?! Have you ever considered how much growing goes on in two years between a 10 and 12 year old? Last time I saw them we were eating ice cream at a park, this time, comments coming from their end were filled with logic, thought, and sincerity. They're so smart! They can also do crazy gymnastic things, MK can flip any which way, and Macey can walk longer on her hands than I can my feet!


All this to say, this visit from them is exactly what I've been needing. I've needed it not only because I wanted to see them, but because something had to make me realize it's time to think about someone besides myself. There are few people that I would sincerely and honestly put before myself. That sounds selfish, but it's the ugly truth. There are few people that make me forget about myself as soon as I see them; my purpose becomes to do and be for them what they want and need. They're two of those people.

Hit me on the way back from the fro-yo place that God makes us to be an energy bar; our purpose is purely to serve. It's not to make you full, satisfied by wonderful taste, or fat/ happy. It's meant to supply you with the fuel to do BIG things; work out, run, hike. Shamefully, I live my life to serve myself leading to complete and utter dissatisfaction. I look at my life as an empty plate, NEEDING a meat and three. Notice I said "needing" and not "giving." I've made this space for "needing" so big that no amount of things can fill it. But today I became the energy bar. All I needed was just enough umph to make them happy and it was all good from there, it became all about them. And it was bliss.

So, the past five hours as an energy bar I received wonderful things. I experienced and gave pure LOVE. Sincere and pure. I was happy and it tasted better than any four course meal I could have ever worked to receive.