on being the Body

Roles have reversed for me in this past week.  Typically I'm someone who would bring a meal to a friend who's sick, or host family in our home for brunch, cooking up a storm as a way to show them that I love and care.  But the tables have turned.  I'm not allowed to be on my feet for more than 10 minutes at a time.  Cooking any real meal is out of the question.  I'm allowed to do "minimal meal prep" but Stewart (graciously) hasn't let me do even that!

And so instead of serving, I am being served.  It's humbling.  And it's a huge blessing.  It inspires me more than ever to continue serving others in this way, once the baby comes and I'm back on my feet.  Whether it's a distant cousin who brought us stew and mashed potatoes for supper, my parents who brought their beef roast to share with us on Friday night, the armload of groceries my mother-in-law brought over, or the container of snacks my brother and his wife brought to me at the hospital, it's really all tangible gifts of God's love.  He's providing for us and our daily needs (and wants!) through the hands of His people.  Even these little acts -- a bottle of Perrier and a jar of pasta sauce from friends -- these are God's hands at work.

Never minimize the love and care you show to others.  It is all meaningful.  Even seemingly small acts that are done in the Name of Jesus, are significant.  It is the Body working as it should, caring for and supporting one another.  When I am well, I will do what I can to care for you in your sickness.  Not because you cared for me, or because I owe you one.  Simply because I am part of the Body and I care for you.  You are my Family and I love you.  What we have, as believers, is unique.  We are one.  When you hurt, I hurt.  When I'm sick, you care for me and my family.  This is how it should be.  And what an example it is to others!

hospitality in practice

our still-unfinished kitchen

the concrete slab for a counter-top is getting old.  But at least it works!

These past few days have been busy ones for me. I've been in the kitchen mostly, creating, baking, planning, writing grocery lists.  We've had people over for meals often lately, and I really enjoy it.  It gives me a chance to do what I love (cook!) and be with friends (or soon-to-be friends), all while still taking care of my son in our own home.  How perfect.  And how amazing to think that this is (at least part of) the ministry He has called me to, in this season of life!?  I love it.

Here's a glimpse of what's been on our plates and who's been around our table lately:


Tuesday supper - Charlotte and I made calzones and pizza sauce and shared them with our neighbours who were not feeling well (not exactly around our table, but still busy in the kitchen).
Wednesday lunch - our friend Lisa and two of her American friends came for lunch (Minestrone soup and a variation of Olive Cheese Bread) and homemade Chocolate Ice Cream for dessert.  So nice to get to know some more amazing women here!
Wednesday supper - we shared our chicken pot pie with two local guys that Stewart knows from English Club.  They didn't like it, but oh well.  It is pretty "out-there" compared to local food! Stewart and I really enjoyed it nonetheless.  :)
Yesterday - I made Flourless Chocolate Cake (from Real Simple magazine, November 2010) and sent it to a little "Welcome" party for a friend who just arrived in the country (while I stayed home and went to bed!).
Tonight - we are having our newly-arrived friend over for a supper of Thai Green Curry and the rest of the Flourless Chocolate Cake.  I also made Mocha Sherbet to go with the cake.
Tomorrow morning - we're having our friend Lisa and some of her new housemates (a young couple with a two year old little girl) over for brunch.  Mmmm... Wifesaver Breakfast and fruit salad.  Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, and I am so looking forward to this!  Yummy breakfast plus more new friends.  What could be better?!
Last, but not least...
Sunday lunch - the youth group student leaders are coming over for chili and cornbread.  And chocolate sheet cake for dessert (using the cake and icing recipes here).  Yum!

Seeing this written out, it seems like a lot.  But you know, at the time, it really doesn't seem like a big ordeal.  I cook three meals a day, whether or not there are extra people around.  Being in West Africa, there are very few "easy meals" that I make.  I cook from scratch, and I enjoy it.  And I almost always cook more than we need, so we can have people join us spur-of-the-moment.  And if not, we eat leftovers for lunch.  (And most weeks aren't really this busy with guests in and out.)

We often don't make big elaborate meals when we have guests in our home.  Sure, I might make a dessert that I wouldn't otherwise, or add an extra side dish.  But for most part, Stewart and I want to simply include people in our lives, our everyday lives, even if there are toys on the floor, the bathroom needs to be cleaned, or the food isn't exactly gourmet.  People care more about you and your interest in them, than the state of your house.  Or so we've learned.  (Besides, you can always do a quick five-minute clean/tidy of your house and get the worst of it!  Like last night when we got a call at 9pm that Stewart's friend was outside our gate to visit us.  Stew went to meet and welcome him in, while I quickly cleared our dinner dishes off the table!)

Of course, we do sometimes have big elaborate meals with friends.  That's fun too.  But that's not our usual way.  (In fact, we're planning a "Julia Child" French dinner party soon, with our friend Shari!)

I am so thankful for these opportunities to open our home, share our life and family, cook good food, and do it all in the Name of Jesus.  I know it often doesn't happen as easily in North America, but can I challenge you to open your home this week?  Even just one time, have one person/couple/family over for a meal.  If hosting people for a meal intimidates you, just keep it simple.  Make an easy brunch (I love Wifesaver Breakfast for that!) or put some spaghetti sauce in the slow-cooker and serve it with noodles, garlic bread, and caesar salad.  Easy and delicious!  Or even just have some friends over for dessert.  What matters isn't what you serve, but that you do it.  Share part of your life, your family, your home, your food.

If you do decide to open your home this week, leave a comment and tell us of your plans, or how it went.  Or what you made - I'm always looking for new recipes and meal ideas!  Maybe you already have people in your home on a regular basis.  If you do, please leave a comment with some of your tips and tricks, or a favourite recipe you make for friends.

baking day!

I've been wanting to bake bread for a while now (I haven't attempted it since Micah was born), and today was the day. We have some good friends visiting from out of town, so we've enjoyed having lots of people in and out of our house this past week. It's always nice to have something on hand to share with friends, so cinnamon buns and cookies seemed like a good idea, as well as the necessary bread. Visit my HandmadeMomma blog for recipes.

Trying to Stay Sane

I've been reading a lot lately on mommy-blogs, about how they do it. Specifically how MckMama, and Jess do it. Both are encouraging, helpful blogs written by believing moms, so I found lots of tips and suggestions on how to be a mom and stay sane. Of course, they each have four children and are pregnant with number 5, and I have only one. But being a mother is none-the-less a hard job! (Although I'm sure that once I have four children I will laugh at how easy it was to have just one baby.)

So, in the spirit of "doing it all" (more likely, learning to not do it all!), here are some of the things I (am learning to) prioritize, or realize that I am not currently prioritizing, but need to:

-my marriage. I may be super tired and feel overwhelmed, but that doesn't give me license to neglect Stewart.

-my relationship with Jesus (still trying to figure out how to do that when I have very, very little quiet time in my days -- ok, I feel another post coming on about this!)

-breastfeeding Micah. I know that exclusively breastfeeding Micah in many ways makes my life easy (no preparing or cleaning bottles, it's convenient and free, nevermind the health benefits), but it also means that I am pretty much glued to my son. If I bottle-fed him, I could get a full-nights sleep by letting Stewart take the night shift every so often. But I have opted to breastfeed and make that a priority over even sleep, when necessary.

-hospitality. I find this is one way I can use my gifts, still take care of Micah, and hopefully encourage/bless others. We have made opening our home a priority, although (as you will read below) that doesn't necessarily mean having a perfect, spotless house. We want people to feel welcome in our home, and join in our lives, taking us as we are. Imperfections included.

-relationships with other moms. I've really enjoyed spending time with other moms -- it can be so encouraging to talk to other young moms and share ideas, etc.


Some things I have decided not to prioritize as highly, even though I value them:

-eating healthy. We try to eat low-fat, little meat, lots of veggies, and organic as much as possible. However, this doesn't mean that we don't eat fast food on occasion, or enjoy pounding through a bag of chips in an evening (did I just admit that??) every so often. Nor do we avoid baked goods. In fact, we really enjoy eating homemade cakes, cookies, pies, you name it! But, I really don't cook from scratch and rely on homemade (or organic) ingredients quite as much as I'd like.

-using cloth diapers. I love using cloth diapers, but I am realizing that it is okay to use disposables, particularly in the name of my sanity. So if I'm feeling overloaded with laundry, it's okay to put the cloth diapers on pause and use disposables for a few days while my washing machine (and brain) catches up.

-a clean house. I love things to be neat and tidy, and try to tidy up as much as is reasonable in our tiny place, but I don't get too worried about cleanliness. Maybe that's gross. We try to not let things get out of hand, but we are okay with not having a perfect, spotless house.

Phew. There is my very-much-not-comprehensive list. Do you have any suggestions? What do you prioritize (or not) in the name of sanity?? How do you "do it all" (in other words, what do you not do?)

a quote from John Piper

I've been reading and re-reading this quote for a while, and I think it's time to share it.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of your living room as a launching pad for new life and hope and ministry and mission!
-John Piper

I think this is very true, and I desire that it be true of me, and the use of my house.