I have always loved the idea of community. I love the idea of welcoming people into our lives as if they are our own family. I also love big families. This month has been completely full of God blessing me with those two things; community and big families. Whether it be our contact family and 11 other children we get to see every day, Christmas parties with extended family and new friends, or neighbors across the street one Wednesday night; Papa has shown me how big and awesome my family truly is.
Last night we walked the 30 feet to the gate parallel to ours to spend the evening with a family from America. Walking in felt like coming home. We giggled with excitement at seeing a couch and smelling Thanksgiving/Christmas goodness coming from the kitchen as kids as white as us ran around and welcomed us in. Small talk was only the beginning as we became reintroduced with each other, refamiliarizing each other with names and home states; finding commonalities in everything.
Then I cried.
I promise it was more of just an eye glisten than a full out cry – but it was enough for everyone to notice and my entire face to blush red. Did she just say chocolate chips cookies for dessert!? The mention of it caused my entire team to catch my eye (granted the gasp and quick hand over my mouth probably helped grab their attention). Are we seriously having freshly baked cookies for dessert? Tears were the only thing that could express my
gratitude.
Dinner consisted of the most delicious ham I have ever tasted, mashed potatoes, applesauce, salad, rolls (and butter) and even that cranberry stuff. Good conversation flowed easily as Wayne (yes, even my brother got to be present!) led the conversation and kept it joyfully deep; challenging and encouraging, laughing and connecting while his beautiful wife continued the baking nearby. After an incident in Romania there was a part of me that kept my heart guarded from seemingly cool men, but Papa used him to redeem that. Especially when he asked who wanted cold milk and I burst into glistening eyes again.
Did I mention he brought out cookie dough in case we couldn't wait?
As we laid on the couch watching Megamind with the family, Papa took me home. He showed me how small and how big this world is in the same moment. He showed me a family of strangers that have become such a blessing in my life. He showed me the community we have as believers and followers and friends in Him. He showed me the type of love that we don't deserve and the crazy ways in which God knows the desires of our hearts and wants to bless us, even if they are a little silly. God is personable. God knows everything. God loves.
This month, this month, this month. I love India. I love everything about it. I love my house, my team, our contacts, the food, the children and new brothers and sisters, the walk I take 6 times a day, the families I pass on the way, my adopted puppy with four different names, I love walking out of YWAM and hearing "Auntie!" being yelled in my direction, our roof, sunsets, calling birds, wonderful and incredible neighbors, worship and the moments I have had with God. I have never felt so blessed in my entire life.
I just had three freshly baked cookies with a glass of cold milk. God is stinking good.
I love my life.
Let us be humble, let us trust and let us serve. Let us be friends.
