Jan.
27, 2013
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| Wonderful time with Jo and Rich at a great Thai restaurant |
When I returned from three
exceptional weeks with family and friends in the Northwest this Christmas, I
felt cloaked in the love of my family.
Their smiles and words were fresh in my mind, their hugs still impressed
on my shoulders, and their prayers were etched in my spirit.
I don’t think the benefits of a
trip out of town to visit family—even when the town you’re leaving is a desirable
spot in Hawaii—can be accurately portrayed.
As I read some scriptures about “clothing yourself,” I want to share my
reflections.
In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” This is talking about clothing myself, which I yearn to do. However, on this time back home, I feel as if I’ve been draped by others’ kindness, gentleness, and love. I felt it in:
My sister cheerfully making room for us “to play with cousins” for a week despite her intense headaches.
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| We love John! |
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| Lots of good play time with "the cousins" at the Family Fun Ctr in Tukwila |
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My dad and step-mom, Beth, scouring closets to
clothe our boys with winter clothes when an unexpected snow storm (and power
outage) hit. Beth found warmer gear for Jo Jo and all of
us. Dad cranked up the generator, served
hot drinks, and took us out to dinner and a movie.
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| Great fun with Grandpa and Grandma Beth, eating well, catching up, playing Scrabble, going out for snowball fights and walks in the snow! |
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| Look out, Ev!! |
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The special breakfast my friend, Tani, made for
me, draping me with a soft blanket as we sat on the couch and pored over pictures. I am so blessed by Tani's long-term friendship!
The apple crisp my college roommate, Julie
cooked up for our family on a cold night at her Greenlake Guest House.
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| How fun to see Julie and Blayne's B and B, the only one on Greenlake! Reminisced about sharing January b.days 1 day apart as former roomies. |
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At my
mother’s, I felt clothed in love when she served up fabulous candle-lit meals
for us despite only days from leaving herself for another trip to Uganda. This Hawaii-acclimatized daughter lived in
Mom’s fleece sweats while home for the holidays in 2 feet of snow at the Methow
Valley Ranch See the ranch
here.
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| What a treat to join Pete, Tammy, Claire , and Bobo for a longer visit at Grandma's! |
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| Alaskan Uncle Pete shows da boyz how sledding is done in the "balmy weather" of 32 degrees! |
I I cannot forget Fetta and Jackie Johnson, who as usual, said, "Mi casa es su casa" while we were home in Portland. What a break it is for us to stay with these dear friends, for our boys to have down time, and just to have our own space to relax.
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| Jackie demonstrates his new recliner in the basement they recently remodeled. Fetta, as usual, is cracking a joke in the background. |
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I also felt kindness in the full spread of food
prepared by my old waitressing/teacher buddy Jennifer Arns as she hosted a
gathering of our friends in the Portland area.
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| Sooo wonderful connecting to old college friends and church friends from when we were "young adults." Thank you, Jennifer and Craig Arns! |
It was more than
hospitality. Leaving was a gathering-up
of things and bringing with. Like some overflowing cornucopia from
Thanksgiving, my luggage and arms were stuffed with love.
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- My dad and step-mom’s birthday gift was far beyond what I’d expected. I asked for a bottle of light refreshing perfume from L’Occitane See link to the Citrus Verbena fragrance. . Instead I received the delux set with the body cream and the shower gel. (I don’t do perfume. Due to having a husband with scent allergies, I haven’t worn perfume for years. But here was a scent that he can handle, so I’m drenching myself in it, and smothering my skin in it as I bathe!)
- My sister decided she didn’t need a beautiful sleeveless dress anymore, which would be perfect for nicer events in Hawaii. I wore it to church my first Sunday home, along with the Bolo leather shoes that didn’t quite fit my sister.
- My mom decided to not just give me one beaded necklace from Uganda, but another matching set of beautifully carved necklace and bracelet.
- My friend Gayle Nelson gave me “just some earrings,” which turned out to be about a dozen hand-made pairs and a necklace she had created.
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| Old Portland buddies Robin Clark, Julie Pietila, and Gayle Nelson outside of the Alameda Brew Pub, where we caught up with our hubbies over lunch. |
Gayle suggested I give some earrings away. I ended up
giving some to some Salvation Army friends who later gave me cultural earrings for
my birthday.
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| Sooo great to run into Freddy and Kiko in town, to visit a Marshallese store with them, and then receive this special gift of traditional earrings from Kiko for my b.day |
I carry this love with me. I am
wrapped in it (literally now in January, we sleep under a gorgeous hand-made
quilt from my step-mom, Beth). I want to
reflect this love to those around me. I
want to be quick to offer a meal, or some earrings, or a hug or a real-time
prayer.
I love the context of the passage
in Colossians: “Bear with each other…. Forgive
whatever grievance you have against one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave
you, and above all of these virtues, PUT ON love.”
God, show me how to put you on. Show me how to individualize gifts or cards
or acts of service for each person in my path that needs an extra touch from
you. Help me to bear with one another
and to be bound in unity in the community in which I work. “Over all these virtues put on love, which
binds them all together in perfect unity.”(v. 14)
Now, as my friends and family go
back to their jobs in the freezing NW half an ocean away,
(See
photo of teachers and students gathered around flag/courtyard for early morning
singing at Cedar Tree Classical
Christian School where I used to teach and our kids attended.) and as
I come back to “the rock,” and swimming outdoors and gaining my color back—I smile.
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| Back home, on a "high surf" day at End of the World Beach |
I am warmed again, by the
gifts from home, from the tangible markers of my Father’s love for me.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (v. 15).
Gladly.
