"The Summons"

(John L. Bell)

(Kelvingrove; traditional Scottish melody; arranged by Bobby Fisher)

• 1. Will you come and follow me If I but call your name?
• Will you go where you don’t know And never be the same?
• Will you let my love be shown, Will you let my name be known,
• Will you let my life be grown In you and you in me?

• 2. Will you leave yourself behind If I but call your name?
• Will you care for cruel and kind And never be the same?
• Will you risk the hostile stare Should your life attract or scare?
• Will you let me answer prayer In you and you in me?

• 3. Will you let the blinded see If I but call your name?
• Will you set the pris’ners free And never be the same?
• Will you kiss the leper clean, And do such as this unseen,
• And admit to what I mean In you and you in me?

• 4. Will you love the ‘you’ you hide If I but call your name?
• Will you quell the fear inside And never be the same?
• Will you use the faith you’ve found To reshape the world around,
• Through my sight and touch and sound In you and you in me?

• 5. Lord, your summons echoes true When you but call my name.
• Let me turn and follow you And never be the same.
• In your company I’ll go Where your love and footsteps show.
• Thus I’ll move and live and grow In you and you in me.

Now and Then...

...it is so very wonderful to have family or friends come to visit. I love company! but I understand that we are so far down in the "Deep South" that it's often not easy for folks to come. So when someone does come we are thrilled! My cousin Janet (Dad's oldest niece) made the journey and just spent several days with us. She also attended (for the 1st time ever) her high-school reunion and (for the 1st time in a long time) was able to see one of her closest friends. Our time together was so rich...filled with lots of stories, late-nights!!, laughter, and tears. It is good (and somewhat unusual) for someone to really make the effort to understand another's story. Janet (like me) is very detail-oriented (among her many roles she is a 3rd grade teacher and pastor's wife) and took the time to delve into the minute details of our lives (and I hope that was reciprocal.) We so appreciate the love and support given in this visit!

My mind has kept coming back to the familiar Scripture: "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) when I think of our visit. I was interested in how The Message would translate these words, and was completely blown away with that version of the whole passage. I must share some of it!:
Galatians 6 (The Message)
(1-3) "Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
(4-5) Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
(14-16) For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!"

These words so coincide with many of our conversations....how unworthy we are on our own, how much we need God's strength and a return to a focus on His ways.....but how we often mess that up by living lives of performance and self-promotion (even of our humilty!!). How good and gracious He is to give His patience...and to give us others who provide wise counsel and understanding. A few (not necessarily profound!) thoughts from this visit: 1) laughter is always therapeutic and helps us cope with the tough times. 2) Connecting takes sacrifice...and effort...but is so worth it! 3) Our family legacies are always entwined...complicated...always more there than what meets the eye. 4) Years later we may learn how the impact of our Christian lives affected others (at the reunion, a classmate told Janet of becoming a Christian due to her influence.) 5) Even after many years, many adjustments, and much distance true friendships can be rediscovered and celebrated (that's a shout-out to you, Melanie, since I don't have a pic!:) How beautiful!

We pretty much covered the basics of La. must-have-food!...gumbo, Shrimp Poboys, and here with Beignets and Cafe Du Monde Coffee (well me, not Janet with the coffee!)


Middendorf's Thin-Fried Catfish (the best in the world!!):

We spent plenty of time looking at old photo albums....this one I had to share...one of my most favorite pics ever! No wonder I am still a "difficult" person!:) Too funny!



Then (1973)...

...and now!


With Mom and Dad...Janet was so honoring and such a sweet encouragement to them.

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It was fun to take company to the The Bill Hemmerling Gallery. I love this artist and love introducing him to others who get his art. This quote from him (on one piece of art): "One day when I let God out of the box I built, He danced with me." also mirrors the underlying theme of our many discussions. I posted this pic before but it's still one of my very favorite. "I Met Jesus At the Cafe Du Monde." Dorinda and I were so privileged to meet this artist and have a long conversation with him about this painting. It's quite a story!

Over the weekend...

...we had a beautiful wedding in our church family. Our pastor's daughter, Esther C. was married to Chad F.

~The lovely couple~

~The very handsome parents of the bride~

~Mrs. Patty's awesome cake~

~I wanted to include this cool picture of the "cake pull" (an old Southern tradition) to remind some of ya'll of when we did this at Kayla's wedding. Unfortunately, my pulling of the anchor (symbolizing adventure/travel) has panned out only too well. I guess it's all Kayla's fault!:)

~Just a few of the "wedding helpers"~

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On an unrelated note, it was very sad to hear of Tony Snow's death on Sat. His life is honored in this essay. I was so moved and inspired by this article, "Cancer's Unexpected Blessings", that he wrote about a year ago in Christianity Today. His beautiful, honest response to suffering is a challenge to my own faith.

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Again unrelated, I am enjoying a new book, mudhouse sabbath (Lauren Winner) and also have begun the Mitford series, after quite a few high recommendations. Both are really wonderful!

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A Disclaimer regarding the last post: For me personally, there can be such a thing as sharing too many pictures...again I say, for me personally!!! If you enjoy sharing alot, have at it, and I will enjoy seeing every last one of them!:)

A Grab-bag of Thoughts...

If I were more scientifically smart like my friend Sonja, maybe I could title this in a more sophisticated way...at the moment, this title is all I've got!:) It seems like my last several posts have been pretty light and fluffy....never fear, dear friends, there are still deeper waters under all the froth....so here's a bit of what's on my mind:

~ Contrary to some thoughts from the last post, I think there can be too many pics in a post....no fixed number of course, but I know it when I see it....thus there will be none in this one!:)

~ Labels: ...not really a fan of putting them on blogs (of course that would lead to greater organization, but I just can't bring myself to do it! if you do that's perfectly great)....but more importantly I do not like how labels are used in life. I can't stand seeing some crazy TV-preacher person and then having the blanket description "evangelical" given to him!! Or some Christian-radio person gives some statement that supposedly represents all Christians...most of the time, not me! As for radio, I can hardly bring myself to listen to politics these days...I've taken to calling it "political gossip" and think it's so far removed from how we should be thinking as Christians that it disgusts me. And it troubles me that so many true Christians somehow think it's OK ! Thank goodness we don't even have access to fox news or I think I would have had a nervous breakdown by now. For whatever reason, it bothers me more when the supposed "good" option is so far off target than when the "liberal" (whatever that means) option is....might be an issue of hypocrisy, which is one of my pet peeves. Anyway, the games happening around political labels are pretty funny...just for the record, I am a latte-drinking, Whole Food lovin, Masters-Level educated, Southern, anti-racist, prolife, non-NRA fan, Israel defending, very disturbed about this war, and deeply concerned about what's happening in Africa person who votes!!! Not sure what box that puts me in!!! Labels...why do we like them so much? Can't we just be fine with allowing others to have an opinion (maybe even vastly different than our own) without seeking to have that define their whole character....who are we to judge motives in the 1st place. I think maybe labels somehow make us feel safe...but safe in a self-centered way....definitely not in the strength and assurance of who we are in the Lord.

~ Role-Definitions: (similar to labels)....invariably what will happen at a place where you haven't seen people for awhile (like campmeeting) is that folks will ask: "So what are you doing these days?" Frankly, that question pretty much makes me want to wring the person's neck! But (realizing there is no ill will meant and I must remove the chip from my shoulder) I smile sweetly and try to come up with some quick response to encapsulate what caregiving means. I don't think the person really wants to hear exactly what I'm doing....or more so, all I'm not doing in order to keep everything working in our little world. (but sometimes they do....if they're a true friend and really are concerned...believe me, you can tell the difference.) Why are we so defined by what we do?....and I don't mean in just a career sense....in our circles, the pressure is just as much on who you are with....what kind of family you're able to produce (for that matter, should it even be about what we can produce in any area, or rather a recognition of the grace of God at work in our lives...). How quickly we judge one another on these merits....and I'm often as bad as the next person! Shouldn't we wonder more about the depth of character we are developing...our values, our interests, our hopes & dreams? Obviously, that requires a longer answer and a committed conversation....are we up for that in each other's lives? (or even in blog world are we mainly up for recitations of lovely events?)

~ I have loved the "joking" we've been doing about "dancing" at mine and other dear friends' weddings. I truly hope that can happen!! At the same time, I want to make it clear that I really am OK "with myself". (Or at least for the most part!:)(I'm not going to get way spiritual here....but obviously any real peace is only because of a relationship with the Lord.) I wonder how many people really are OK with themselves?....or again, how much are we defined by our "relationships". It bothers me when I see very young people so in need of being with someone/anyone...when honestly, there is no way on earth they have any idea who they are individually! On the other hand, I do think we are created to be in communion with another (and I think that looks way different than many marriages) and to some degree understand ourselves in the light of relationship. (Whatever the case, this being OK with self has been one of my many "problems", I think...and perhaps being way too idealistic.) At any rate...keep me in your prayers, and keep on practicing your dance steps!:)

~ "Upbeat": I've come across this word a couple of times recently and I wonder what this means? Not sure...? What I do think is that there is a very large expectation that one appear "Happy" or at least to "have it all together". This expectation is a trap, I think, to live rather shallow or at the least insincere lives. If not our own personal struggles surely we should feel angst over the battles faced by others. I'm not calling for us all to walk around in depression (and thank God that is usually not something I have to deal with!) but must we put on a happy face at all costs...? In our brief visit at camp, Susan was sharing her realization that it's important to "feel" the pain we're experiencing and to respect those emotions in others....not always be rushing off to a need for resolution. Wise words and they ministered to me....and isn't that the point really...to share in each others lives...good and bad!

~Another Link: I've recently come across a really beautiful blog of a lady who has recently lost her husband to cancer, The Fruitful Vine. I immediately connected to her story of the intense emotions that come with serious illness and sorrow. And I also realized how little I really share all of that. This blog challenges me to live more authentically...and to have a clearer faith and trust even in times of loss. This is definitely worthwhile reading. (but be prepared for tears.)

~ A Show I'm Enjoying: is "Hopkins"...which follows the happenings of medical people at John Hopkins Hospital. For awhile after Mom's lengthy hospitalization I wasn't able to watch even medical dramas. But this one is good...I watch it and cry...identifying with the families and marveling at the professionals (quite cathartic!) For all the complaining the medical community receives, I still believe that there is nothing like interacting with a brilliant doctor who knows what he/she is doing. There is a feeling of safety (I know it's mostly perception) while in a really well run hospital, around the energy of these gifted people ~ and I am so grateful for the impact so many of them have for good. I love this show!

~ Finally: If you're still reading...bless your heart! The time I've taken to write this post should have been used in house-cleaning. We are sooooo excited that my cousin Janet is coming to visit next week....but before anyone sees this place, there is much to be accomplished!! So I will try to get back to that.....I bid you all a happy weekend!

Alabama...

We had a truly wonderful time on our long weekend trip to Bham...spending time with cousins, aunts and uncles, etc. then attending three services at Pell City campmeeting. I've got alot of pics so I'll dive right in....

Family:
When we arrived Thurs. evening we headed out for a "girls night out" of painting....yes, painting, as in art! Here we are getting set up...Rhonda and I (the self-proclaimed non-artistic ones) draw near to the amazing Sarah (who organized everything....we're hoping some of her artsyness will rub off on us!:)


~Other artists/cousins:)...Ruthanne, Rebekah, and Lydia


~The whole group with our finished masterpieces. We all left feeling kinda self-impressed! The evenings' highlight was definitely just being together...but it was also alot of fun to actually create something. (this place was called "Sips n Strokes"...i would definitely recommend finding something similar in your community!)



~The whole gang gathered on July 4th...great food and fun singing and playing music together. I think our version of "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" far surpassed Campmeeting's on Sunday morning...I'm serious! All of Aunt Rose and Uncle Ron's children were able to come. The Smiths are a brilliant group...but more importantly, have some of the most caring, generous hearts I know. It is such a privilege to be family with them and our visit together was a real blessing! This evening we also had a little celebration for Dad's 60th!!! Birthday. Aunt Rose made a delicious carrot cake...and there were lots of little ones happy to help with the cake! (My parents so enjoyed all the kiddos!)





I love this picture!






~Dad and Aunt Rose pulled out some priceless duets~




~This little guy was very interested in my violin..his song requests were "I have a new Girlfriend" and "We are the Champions"...cracked me up!


~Ruthanne was an awesome hostess...she teaches 1st grade and (since "retirement") Aunt Rose has been volunteering in her classroom...isn't that cool?




Campmeeting..."a curious affair":
I cannot claim to have coined this marvelous phrase...just quoting the evangelist (Rev. Sams). I believe I'll leave all "deep" thoughts aside and just share some more pics!:) I will say that there were excellent speakers and we enjoyed our time with all of the good folks at campmeeting. And it is a good thing to revisit a place where I made some important spiritual decisions. But certainly the highlight was seeing old friends (and their growing families) and feeling the encouragement of real, meaningful conversation.

~Here I am with my "little" friend Kenny S. (so handsome)....this makes me feel very old!


~Mom and Regina...truly one of our most favorite people. We will never forget the unbelievable support given to us by the Stetlers in our times of crisis. What beautiful ladies in every way!~


~It was sooo wonderful to be with Marty again and meet her boys~


...and here with "mini-Marty" (Carson, a real sweetie)


~I so enjoyed being with all of the Scarbrough sisters...here's Cheryl and her beautiful family~


...some HSBC friends (Susan, Marty, me, and Paula)


~We stopped on the way home at Olive Garden...and had a nice meal and ice-cream cake tonight for Dad's Bday. I feel somewhat tired and it's always nice to be back home...but I'm refreshed from the little trip. Hope ya'll enjoyed these many pics!!