Go tinkle - get a sticker

This morning I had a play date with two of my favorite little boys. A good friend had me over for coffee, reading and playing time with her twin boys. We had lots of fun singing, playing trains, wrestling, laughing and just being silly which is their specialty. They are amazing and I just love them to death! Just before I left for the church I announced that I had to go to the bathroom first. As I closed the door (and locked it cuz I knew I would have visitors if I didn't) I heard them running through the house yelling, "Mommy, mommy, Miss Rachel needs a sticker!!!!" Apparently at their house going to the bathroom all by yourself means you get a sticker. Actually I got two stickers - one from each cutie pie.

When I'm visiting with these two boys, I cannot get over the wonder in which they see everything. Everything seems to be analyzed as they go through the day. A comment is made about everything that happens. Seems to me that most children I encounter aren't impressed with much. They have so many toys that beep and buzz that nothing is 'amazing' to them anymore. It's as refreshing as a glass of lemonade in Houston in August to see two children so enthralled with everything around them.

I think of all the children I know and the joy they are in our lives. We should all spend time with children to remind ourselves of the wonder we may have lost in our daily lives. We should all make mental comments about what we experience.

Pecan Harvest and Girlie Time

It's that time of year to go to the farm and GET THE PECANS!!! Woo Hooooo! We get one chance each year to pick up all the pecans we can to last us till next fall. Heck, Christmas baking eats most of 'em up anyway. Of course I've packed my trusty Rocket Cracker so that when my back starts screaming from picking the things up we can sit down for a while and crack some. (One in the jar...one in my mouth)

But this year, there's an added bonus. I get to take my friend Katy. I guess I've known Katy since she was 8 or 9. We used to play the piano, laugh a lot about really silly stuff and I always go to her birthday party. This year I didn't get to go (which I hated). So I thought it would be fun to spend some time together...like a whole three-day weekend's worth :) No boys allowed this weekend. We'll do some roasting of marshmallows, driving of the tractor, smear some mud mask on our faces, picking of pecans, carving of pumpkins and generally having a relaxing time at the farm. The best part will be getting to know Katy again. I remember being 15 and perhaps I haven't grown up all that much so I know we're going to have a great time. ha! Thanks in advance Katy for helping me have a great, young and meaningful weekend.

Dead Friendships

What is the most toxic ingredient that make a dead friendship? For me it's the lack of nourishment...and I'm guilty!! I get into my routines of work at the church and at home and don't create that time required to enrich friendships and prevent them from dying. I'll admit, there are those fews friendships where you just seem to pick up where you left off no matter how long it's been since you last talked but for the most part absence does not make the heart grow fonder.

This coming week I realize I have scheduled a little time almost every single day to visit with friends...over dinner, lunch, after work and on my 'precious' day off. It's a good thing to look forward to these moments and push my selfishness with my time to the back burner. Kind of freeing actually. It's not easy for me to do but I treasure friendships and want to be a good friend to those who are so important to me. I've been meaning to take this step for a long time and can't explain my sudden action but I'm sure glad it happened...maybe that prayer thing for growth and motivation is working :)

One friendship that I will really work on is with a good friend who is leaving our church staff for family leave in only one week. Rev. Alexandra Robinson has been on our staff for 5 years now and has chosen to take some time to be home with her 2 year old twin boys. Lucky for me, the Robinsons live close to us so I can easily continue to nurture that friendship and hopefully continue to be a big part of the boy's lives as they grow. The friendship with Alex has always been easy because we've worked closely toward a common goal at the church. Now it's exciting to think of that friendship existing just because.

This week, think of friend with whom you feel you need to reconnect and reach out to that person. Write a actual letter that you put in the mail or pick up the phone and schedule a time to get together. I'll bet it will be a blessing for you both.