I was so encouraged by the worship and time of preaching/teaching (depending on your theological bent), but what I really enjoyed was just time to be with women I enjoy and respect. I have been blessed to find "heart-friends" in the places we've lived, but it had been a while since I'd had one of those "stay up past 1:00 am bustin' a gut laughing and pillow talking" weekends with girlfriends. I did find it interesting how conversation has evolved, as I'm sure it always will. From the days of "does anyone have a clue how to cook?!" and "how come no one told us life past college isn't immediately awesome?" conversations, our talks in the room involved the deeper issues of emerging wrinkles and grey hairs, and what it looks like to really risk as you pursue a new life direction. It is always so rich to find friends who share your heart and life season, can assure you that your wrinkles aren't that bad, and at the same time challenge you to think about the Lord and life in a new way. For those of you who shared your hearts and time with me this past weekend - THANK YOU, I am better for the time with you!
I find myself growing increasingly sentimental at all the wonderful things we're able to be a part of right now. Because of the impending "move", we find ourselves doing A LOT, not wanting to miss a second of time or opportunity to be with those we love. So this coming weekend finds me feeding my addiction and deep love for my family by participating in this:
I know, I know . . . I have a problem. This should be my last big race before the move, but you never know. I think my dad is trying to swindle me into running a full in OKC in April, but we'll see if that happens. He's agreed to "slow down" (my words, not his) and run this one with me, which considering his previous splits of 7-8 minute miles, is a big deal. Dad and I always seem to solve the problems of at least our worlds when we run, and I always treasure the time to be together and share an experience we both love. For those of you who don't know my family, I'm sorry. They are cool, really cool. My mom always seems to "magically" have boo-koos of our favorite foods available when we visit, which might explain my heavier high school years. And for the record . . . I have the absolute cutest niece in the WORLD, and her parents are some of the funniest/sweetest people I know. (Big brother = funniest, SIL = sweetest, just to clarify). But Nate, yes, you are a sugar plum too.
But, it is only Monday. I find myself increasingly thinking about the next thing, primarily because time seems to be passing so quickly! Dreaming about our Mexico trip did NOT help either last night . . . and that's still a few weeks away! I never want to miss the "magic of the mundane" that fills in the Monday-Friday, and thankfully working at a pregnancy care center reminds me of the needs and opportunities that are immediately in front of me. [Note: I still work at the boutique one day a week, hence the typical Monday blog posts. Have no fear - there is no troubled teen sitting lonely in the lobby while I write this]. I also appreciate the gems that I work with that make each day full of fun and laughter. (Theens - you're my girl!)
One of my professors at Truett described Sundays to a minister as telephone polls whizzing by from a car window, each week they seem to fly by faster and faster. At this particular point in my life I absolutely identify with that analogy. While I daily have mounting excitement and nervousness about where this journey is heading, I don't for a second want to miss the beauty of the scenery around me. I am so grateful for times like this past weekend, that allow me to just pause and truly celebrate who God is, what He has done and is doing, and where He's taking me. The encouragement and reminder of His presence in all things is perhaps the most beautiful scenery of all - thanks be to God!
Yay for girlie weekends!!! I enjoyed the weekend as well. Blessed to have you as a friend.
ReplyDeleteGod does love our wrinkles... :)