The days have officially begun to get shorter. The days are hotter, the garden is relishing the recent rains and the warm weather. The children are drinking in the full joy of summer - climbing trees, overnighters, finding critters, a cool dip in the river.
We adults on the other hand. . . we are living. Chris and i talked not too long ago about being the old man who forgot what is was like to be a kid. Sometimes i think that i have become that grumpy ol' codger. Lamentably i am a byproduct of the Mcdonald's generation. i want it and i want it now. . . but nature dictates that good sustainable change comes slowly. Our little experiment in community is still very much in its infancy and we have so much yet to learn, and experience and struggle through, and grow from. It's funny really, how relationships are comparable to the life cycle in so many ways, and yet they really are very different. Our community is very much in it's infancy and yet we still have so much to learn from our youngest brother Benjamin who at 18 months (or so) has so much more of life figured out than we do. To him the world is this amazing place full of wonder and excitement. The boy is like tigger. . . he is on a perma-high! It's inspiring to watch and amazing just to sit and wonder at. No baggage, very little fear. . .
Our community has been founded on so many things that we hold to be true, one of the most important is relationships. Still it is hard when you are out numbered two to one by kids. We have been wonderfully blessed to invest in our children, and our marriages (which are in places they haven't been in forever), and yet we have neglected our friendships. Well, sort of. Like so many we are busy and our schedules frankly suck. We have been co-existing, but for us that just isn't enough. Lorna inspired me early on by saying, "If we aren't growing (spiritually, together and as disciples of Jesus), then it isn't worth it." She is dead on.
So today we had the first adult meeting that we have had in a long time. We followed that by meeting the church at Ah Kgong (sp?) and Ah Mah's house. What a fantastic time of honesty, tears, confessions, encouragement and of course food!! i am so very encouraged. The best things in life come with a little pain.
But now i am spent. i am sipping a bit of an adult beverage, candles around the house a little incense and some great folk music softly playing. My pillow is calling, but i think i will let it wait a minute longer. . .
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