How to BE Community

This past August, my husband and I celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary. In eleven years of marriage we have lived in ten different homes, in eight different cities, in six different states, and in three different geographic regions of the United States. In short…we move. A lot. No, we aren’t in the military. And no, we didn’t want to make all those moves to quench a thirst for adventure. We desire stability. But for one reason or another we have lived a nomadic lifestyle of sorts for the past eleven years.

The packing and unpacking brought with it highs and lows. Saying goodbye hurt. Saying hello to the new was both scary and exciting. Each time we moved, I remember praying for community. I wanted to find a group of like-minded friends who loved Jesus, adored their families, and were committed to serving others. Often, my prayer was answered the way I wanted it answered. I moved, I went searching for friends, and I found them. Sometimes, it wasn’t so easy. But then it hit me…life is not high school. There is more to living than fitting in. If I really wanted to be a part of a community, I couldn’t just look for it.

I had to BE Community.

To read about how I learned to BE community, please click here to head on over to (in)Courage.

Stellan Style - Not Me Monday

Emily, whom I have never met but would have no qualms nominating for "Sweetest Person of the Year" (if there was such a thing), is hosting a special edition of MckMama's Monday meme, "Not Me!" Monday. What makes this edition so special is that it is to be done "Stellan Style." No, I do not mean with gurgles, goos, and gahs. You are to list all the things you did last week that relate to Stellan...and in NMM fashion, write them as if you didn't do them.


I am not a regular participant of NMM, but for Stellan, I couldn't refuse. There is so much I wish I could do for this precious family, but in reality, cannot. Knowing that having many people participate in this meme could bring some joy to MckMama's aching heart makes me feel as though I am helping in some small way.


So, who did the things below? Not Me!

• I *did not* use four tissues to wipe my eyes and nose while reading about Stellan's heart being in a dangerous SVT state. No, not me.
  

• I *did not* slam my hand down on my desk and silently cry out, "Why can't babies be off limits? No, not me.
  

• After the hand slamming that I *did not* do, *I did not* go back to MckMama's blog and read this post that left me feeling convicted. No, not me.
  

• I *did not* burst into tears after reading the above-referenced post and ask God to forgive my angry tirade. No, not me.
  

• I *did not* snip at my five-year-old daughter for interupting me while I was trying to send out prayer requests about Stellan, and then immediately realize the irony and grab her, hold her tight, and tell her how much I loved and adored her. No, not me.
  

• I *did not* spend 95 % of my self alloted social networking time (1 hour a day until April 11)checking twitter, facebook, and blogs to get reports about Stellan. No, not me.
  

• I *did not* rack my brain to try to come up with an orignal idea to write Stellan's name for the gallery and come up dry. No, not me.
  

And finally...

• My 5-year-old daughter, Pumpkindoodle, and I *did not* get on our knees together each day, clutch hands, and ask Jesus to heal the "sweet, sweet baby boy with a sick heart." No, not me.

Smile. Sigh. Oh. Yes. I. Did.