In{RL} Real Life

This weekend I hosted an In{RL} conference.I actually decided to host it after feeling like I completely missed out on last year's experience.  I was too afraid of who would or wouldn't show up and the prep work it involved.  But.  This year I've been stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching, stretching, and growing those connections with the realization that it isn't going to happen on its own...so I clicked the box to host.

From the get go, I prayed about who would be able to show up.  I prayed that exactly who needed to be here would be.  I decided from the beginning to not make this about me, but to open up to whoever I came in contact with that may or may not get something out of it.  It's a couple hours of refreshments and fellowship with other moms. . .who doesn't need a little bit of that, sprinkled with some inspirational speakers.  It was a definite winning combination.  Since we had been creating my sacred summer space in the yard, I decided that would be a nice place to gather.  It was a different environment from our weekly prayer group and book club and it's one of my favorite places to sit and ponder and play so why not invite the girls to gather there?

The night before, Uncle was over spending some family pizza time together which morphed into helping the kids prepare a chocolate chip cake while I did some picking up.  Have I told him lately how much I love him?  Not enough. . .

And the thing about it was that I was different with this party's preparations.  It's as if God spoke to me and said the girls just gathering kid-less with some food in a pretty landscape was enough.  And I was un-stressed.  And the party would be what it would be and that was totally, completely enough.  And, it was!

 

Just a few touches and we were ready to begin.  The only thing I forgot was flowers, but a sweet friend saved the day with them in hand AND an hour early to help me set up.  I was so touched by that small gesture of kindness.  I would have never thought to ask, but when she offered I accepted!  So glad I did  because it really helped me to be ready by everyone's arrival time and made it a little more fun: )

And the topic this year was about Staying in Community. . .because the truth is, we have all been wounded in one way or another; we ALL have a huge to do list; we ALL have a lot on our plate: finances, work, kids, illness.  You name it and we ALL have an excuse as to why we may tend to shy away from community when the truth is: we ALL need it; we ALL grow from it; we all can be refreshed by it. 

Some of my notes:

• Embrace the mess.  When we love the things He loves, we see Him in it.
• God calls us to stay.  Our testimony isn't about us at all; it's all about Him.
• Every conflict=an opportunity to bring glory to God.
• It is an honor to have people who want to walk with you this way.
• Be truly FOR each other.
• Get into the season you're in completely until God moves you along.
• Care for each other: call, make time, be intentional, grow, stretch, reach.
• Friendships die from neglect: keep the door open.
• Pick up the phone one time out of the ten you think of that person.
• Benches need to be set up to foster relationships.
• Love them where they are at!
• There is so much rich soil right where you are.
• I am the problem; I am also the solution.
• Endure--become--"not my will, but yours be done." 

Overall, I was reminded of the importance of seeking out community.  I felt this topic was so appropriate as I truly believe God used Ernie's accident to grow us right where we are.  If we had moved this summer as planned, the outcome might be very different.  When others reached out in friendship to us here,  it opened doors I didn't even know existed.  And out of  that experience, the prayer group and book club came to be.  And I have anchors, people I look forward to sharing life with, school experience, kid stories.  And that added to my "Park People" who still meet almost every Friday since our kids were in preschool equals abundant blessings. I was reminded to invest time and energy in growing them and reaching out and inviting others to join. Hearing their hearts yesterday grew mine. 

"Love one another with brotherly affection.

Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:10