Richards Family Adventures: CLOTHED IN KINDNESS

Jan. 27, 2013

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.

We love John!

Lots of good play time with "the cousins" at the Family Fun Ctr in Tukwila

· 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.

Great fun with Grandpa and Grandma Beth, eating well, catching up, playing Scrabble, going out for snowball fights and walks in the snow!

Look out, Ev!!

· 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.

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.

· 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.

What a treat to join Pete, Tammy, Claire , and Bobo for a longer visit at Grandma's!

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.

Jackie demonstrates his new recliner in the basement they recently remodeled. Fetta, as usual, is cracking a joke in the background.

(

· 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.