Invest in someone: Porter. As he becomes less mentally competent I want to make it even more of a priority to hang with him. I want him to have friends who enjoy doing things he enjoys doing. Last week we had a reunion at Chick-fil-a, everyone was so excited to see him, he was certainly the center of attention to both long time employees and loyal customers. Then we went to the mall. We played with the "As seen on TV" gadgets and lounged in the oversize beanbags at the "Love Sac" store. Overall, we laughed A LOT and were just really silly. Although my intention for my "Invest in someone" time is for me to pour into someone without expecting anything in return, I always feel equally or more blessed by my time with Porter.
Clean/Organize:
Yes, you can even find the Lord in the dirty duties! Haha As I took down my curtains and washed them, cleaned baseboards and fronts of cabinets my mind wandered to the many days I spent cleaning houses with my mom. I am so grateful for that time. (even though I voiced my complaints through the years) I know how to clean and clean well because she took the time to teach me instead of just going behind me and cleaning better whatever I missed.
Interact with another culture:
I went to visit my refugee family for the first time in 6 months. I don't know why I waited so long. Whenever I a there I feel like my heart is restored! Seetal would let go of me, she wanted to be in my lap or wanted me to hold her the whole time. Roma is pregnant! I was able to explain Medicade to her and listen to Dahn's tell about his recent car accident. They cooked a traditional Nepali meal from meat hanging to dry in their kitchen.
Reconnect/Follow Up: I sent an email to my mentor in India just sharing what has been going on and why I've been absent. His response was so encouraging and full of challenging wisdom. I've printed it out and put it beside my bed so I can remember the words spoken to me through this wise man of God.
Fellowship with "as iron sharpens iron" people: Oh how I love tea with Helen. Our time spent together over a cup of tea or walk in the park always challenges me to be more alive and fully present wherever I am. Our shared passions fuel each other and remind one another to not let those dreams die a slow death of complacency.
Alone time:
It seems simple but unless you are intentional you can surround yourself with people all of the time. Even if you are alone in your house you can be connected through the internet or your phone. This is time that I turn off everything, I often combine it with my "time in creation", step away and get alone with my thoughts. I'm amazed at the things I can keep at bay, preventing myself from acknowledging how much I feel a certain thing until I am alone. It is then I give myself the space to feel it fully and move on instead of using so much energy trying not to feel the way I really do.
Time with people who connect me to a family model: They say "home is where the heart is", can't this be true of family too? I have certain people in my life that have taken me under their wing and loved me like a sister, daughter, or niece. It's important to value those relationships so that one day in being a sister, daughter, niece, I know how to treat my own sister, daughter, niece.
