A most wonderful weekend!

This past weekend was packed full of plans but it was a fantastic weekend. Our friends the Pryors and the Pattersons came down from Cincinnati on Friday to visit. Because of the gift of teaching that Jeremy Pryor has we decided we wanted our friends from NOVA/DC to come out and have some great discussion while getting to know these families.

So, we began the evite process a couple of weeks ago inviting everyone we know to a family camp out on the 18th, which was also Emily's birthday, and then a dinner/discipleship discussion on Sunday night. The cookout/campout was fabulous. We had so much fun. We ended up having about 7 tents pitched in the backyard and even more families represented for food and hangout time. We made homemade ice cream and had cupcakes to celebrate Em's birthday. The kids watched a movie outside on a sheet when it got dark. The adults had a wonderful night of conversation and relaxation. We had a really late night, so Saturday was a bit chaotic. We had a birthday party to attend and we began preparing for Sunday. The whole bunch of us, 13 in total, got up Sunday morning and loaded into the vans for the drive into the city where we attended services and then headed back to the house for a light lunch and to begin prep on Sunday nights dinner. Emily and I made appetizers, Chicken parm, and sides for 50 people Sunday night. It was wonderful. I can't think of a more fun way for us to spend a weekend. It was nice to get to spend time with old friends and to introduce them to new friends. It was nice to get to discuss, as Christians following hard after God, how we can do that best. It was nice to come from different backgrounds, ethnic groups, and "Church" bodies and realize how God has knit us all together to be His church. God is good and He is doing something in the DC metro area. He is calling average men & women and asking them to raise their children His way and asking them to follow regardless of the direction. The coolest part of that is...these average people are saying yes!

The Face of Poverty

I had a friend who posted a blog recently entitled: Serving the Poor is Not Our Mission. I respect this friend and believe that he has a lot of godly wisdom but, on this account, I had to strongly disagree. I began thinking of ways to respond but quickly realized, because this is an issue so close to my heart, that it deserved a blog. So, here is my response to that post. I hope that it shows my heart and is not just stirring up division. This is just a little of my experience.







I think our lack of action on behalf of the poor is a perfect example of the old addage: "Out of sight, out of mind." It is not that we are uncaring or mean; I think the major issue is that we don't see it. Americans are so independent; we are trained from an early age to get a good job, work hard, make good money, and take care of our families. We are active in the PTA, we volunteer countless hours at our local church, we probably even lead our children's Girl/Boy Scout troops. We are so caught up in our own realities that we forget to look around at everyone else's. I am not at all demeaning this life or saying that involvement in any of the above is wrong. But, knowing what I know makes me responsible to share it and remind myself of it's importance as often as I can.








Thanks to several experiences serving around our country and overseas my eyes have been opened to the reality of those who have not been as fortunate as I. The faces of those in poverty belong to men, women, young, and old. They are African, Asian, Latino, & American. Some of them, had they been born in another country or space in time, would not have to deal with the issues of poverty that they struggle with today. But, so many of them do everything they can to make each day better for those they love. I am challenged by them in how they share with one another and how they sacrifice for each other. I have seen Jesus alive among them more often than not. I have felt His touch, seen His smile, and felt His warmth and affection from those in need.





For me, poverty has a name and a specific experience. I know what makes these faces smile, I have seen where they live. I have seen how they perservere in the midst of extreme challenge so they can provide for their families. I have held them, comforted them, and helped to feed them. I have helped to train them in ways to feed themselves and steps to take to keep their children from getting sick. I say all of this to make this point: Now that I have seen their faces and I know their names I can't ever forget. I can never again choose to not see or get caught up in my own life. God has written their experience on my heart and it is now part of my calling, my DNA as His daughter to serve them any way I can.










It is my honor and my priveledge to serve, Lord show me opportunities every day. Give me your eyes to see those hurting around me, inside Your body and out. Help me to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ to see and serve these needs too while staying humble and open to discussion. You are so good to Your children, thank you for letting me be one who shares Your goodness with others.

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Reason to Celebrate

This past weekend I lived on the couch of a dear friend, and former roommate, from Cincinnati. I had arrived on Friday night and enjoyed dinner from Ambar, the best Indian restaurant on the planet; that just happens to be located in the Clifton neighborhood in Cinci. After dinner came dessert, more old friends, introductions to new ones, and plenty of fireworks. Even though we had over a years worth of living to catch up on, it felt as though we had only been apart for a few days. We celebrated new babies & pregnancies, new homes, and stories of my many adventures through the year. We shared our hearts and our passions with every laugh, hug, and smile. The men drank Cognac and smoked cigars; the women sat around the kitchen table and shared "remember when" moments and what are they doing now updates.

Saturday, Emily Caine, one of the most precious women I know married Justin Carabello a man I had not met before that day but, from the moment I saw them together I knew he was perfect for her. Emily is a free spirit, she is an artist, she is silly, she wears Chuck Taylor's with her prettiest dresses! She wanted, in place of a ring, and bicycle built for two. She is the kind of girl you want to be friends with. She makes you laugh, she listens to your heart, and she knows how the throw a wicked party! At the reception I saw everyone that Emily loves not only party with her, but help her throw the party too. Instead of an expensive cake, which is always pretty to look at but very rarely tastes good, she had local friends make dozens and dozens of cookies and other dessert recipes. Our friend Wendi did all the flowers for the wedding, and I even got in on the flower arranging that morning, it was a blast! The decorations: borrowed. The caterer: family friends. The DJ: Mark Treas & an ITunes playlist, created by the bride and groom themselves. I saw community in action and was blessed to see it. The night was filled with fun, good food, dancing, authentic conversation, and a celebration of love given by God to two of His children. He was pleased with the day. I got to watch Raegan, Reece, and Eliot become mezmerized by the beautiful princess bride they saw in Miss Emily and watch as they partied along side a room full of adults, old and young alike, who were cutting up the dance floor. It was fantastic!

On Sunday, the Long's and I were invited to the Willis' house for brunch. It was so much fun spending time with our old friends. Jon made us pancakes with blueberry sauce and mimosa's. Jon, Gavin, and I were on the team to clean the kitchen and cleaned absolutely everything in 10 minutes, including sweeping the floor! The kids loved playing with one another; Rae & Reece really enjoyed their time spent with Lucy and Mary Rose and Eliot really hit it off. It seems the only one who didn't have a playmate was poor Ashton, the only boy in the bunch. He got to play a little but got over it when the girls decided to have a tea party! Gavin & Jon decided to walk across the river to the Reds game while Laura, Emily, and I; with the kids hung out and caught up on life. We got to see amazing pictures of Jon's recent trip to Mumbai, India where he took photos for an IJM project; and I shared many stories about the race.

Sunday night we got to attend the Ft Thomas Community Gathering, which is the group we were a huge part of when we lived in Cincinnati. It was a blessing to be surrounded by dear friends, hurting and blessed and minister to one another. We had those who really poured out their hearts in confession and others who came around them and prayed for strength and perserverance. It was a beautiful time of the body functioning as it should in small group settings.

This whole weekend happened, and was as wonderful as it was, because of one thing: LOVE. Every single person who played a role in making the wedding happen did so because they love Emily. They wanted to show Emily, in big and small ways, that they love her and celebrate along with her. It is the reason that Gavin, Emily, Nick, and I loaded up the van with snacks, suitcases, and three little girls who hate to be strapped down in car seats, and drove the 8 hours it takes to get from our house to Cincinnati. Love is the factor that makes it possible for time to feel nonexistant when you are catching up with friends. It is the reason we go out of our way to help when a friend is in need. Love is the reason and purpose to our lives. Love should be our identity. I was so blessed to be a part of the entire weekend, every single part. It was a redemptive trip, it was a trip that rekindled love I thought may have disappeared and it created new love and appreciation for the people and things we are so blessed to have in our lives.

What life have we; if we have not life together... T.S. Eliot