Monday - Again?

Wow! It is Monday again! How did that happen. I am one week to Thanksgiving vacation, one week until a trip to Bellevue to my Sisters, one week full of tasks (too many to do, no doubt) and only two days until I get my husband back. Fall is always a crazy time for us, but this fall I feel as though I have been 'home alone' most often. I will be anxious for his return.

I spent this weekend on the road. I drove 5.5 hours to Kearney, Nebraska to meet a former College Roommate (Peggy). She has moved to Ames, IA and Kearney, Nebraska is half way between our respective stops. It was so great! I spent a lot of time thinking, watching the prairie pass by and listening to Mere Christianity on my IPOD. I have tried to read Mere Christianity may times, but CS Lewis was always talking above my reading level! Listening to it made me think, made me understand the words better, and reminded me of those fundamentals of my faith. Peggy and I spent the weekend talking, shopping in sweet antique stores (bought a wash tub and a free-standing wreath holder - CUTE!) and enjoying being around one another. Peggy has a yellow Labrador - we are kin because of our love of these crazy dogs!

I have wondered over this past week - what is it that makes a friend? CS Lewis talked about friendship, Beth Moore's down load was on friendships, I feel like I am struggling with friendships, it is my consistent thought this past week.

Christian women are commanded to: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32. I would like to forget this verse! When I was truly angry last week, and I wanted to shout, it was KayDee who reminded me that being a Christian means being one to the core (drat it!) - a changed inside. While I could be mad, I am commanded to be compassionate and forgiving. She reminded me that this situation could not be talked about any more, as it would make us talk badly about our friends, and we should NEVER do this. We are going to be each other accountability partners in this. We are to be different...it is not easy, but what value!

CS Lewis talked about a key Christian virtue of Charity as acting as though you LOVE everyone. It is not LOVING everyone. It is 'doing onto others.' He even implied that by treating others this way will actually help us to LOVE them. I had never thought of charity in this way, but I will now. He also reminded us that these are CHRISTIAN values, and we can not expect non-Christians to act in the way we are commanded. We must, but our job is to love others who they are and where they are, this is our job as Christians!

What is a friend to Kellie? One that helps remind me to be a better version of myself. One who loves me, provides charity, is supportive, is kind. One who is honestly up front with me on my failings, and loves me in spite of them. A friend is one that I can spend time with, easy, unconditional time.

I thank God for all of my friends, and I pray that I can be the friend that others need, whatever their definition is. I pray that in this, too, I can learn and grow. In this too, I can model my Savior, who loves and forgives unconditionally. Thank you dear friends!

Love Affair with a Tree

I cant get over this tree. I watch it change daily. I was saddened on Thursday to see that before it had fully changed colors the leaves have started to fall off. It is windy today, and we are to get get the first accumulating snowfall this weekend...I imagine that my pictures of this tree are almost over for the season. It gets battered and beat up in the weather and elements. I imagine after two days of wind and rain last weekend, it takes a big deep breath and says "whew, that was a doozy!" I imagine that this tree that gives me so much joy is also growing roots deeper and deeper, able to withstand the elements much more that when it was a newly planted sapling. This tree stores up nutrients. It goes dormant and then rejuvenates again with the buds of spring leaves. Animals find refuge in this tree. It changes, it evolves.

We are a lot like this tree. We are all changing. Maybe your week was full of travel, maybe it was full of trying to balance a family and a full-time job, maybe it was full of stressing over a "proposal defense" for your PhD. Whatever, your stresses this week, take heart in knowing that you are changing. That people find refuge in you, that with each of life's challenges you change and your roots grow deeper and deeper. You are strong and able to withstand any element that gets tossed your way...not that they aren't doozies! There will be times when you will need to store up nutrients of faith and trust, and just go dormant for a season. That is ok. Soon you will emerge with the buds of new life...thankful for the growth that comes from challenges.

Heavenly father,
I thank you for the challenges that you present, because I know that these times help me to grow and change. I pray that I will have the patience to see your work complete in me. Help others to take heart in this also. Give them the peace of knowing that I am thankful for them and praying for them also. Amen.

"Be patient, then, brother, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You, too be patient and firm, because the Lord is coming near." James 5:7-8.

I hope that his is a blog where people can present anything that they need prayer for, and know that I am praying for them. If you are so inclined, will you please tell me how I can pray for you? If you want to just read, please do that! Blessings to you today!