There was just a lot of joy

It Started, Together

We Made a New Tradition, Together

[A Spicy One...]

[And, big news: Kara ate her first mold.  Jell-O, that is.]

We Gifted, Together

[I have always wanted a secret sibling...]

[Keith jiggles the box and asks: Is this what I think this is?]

[Sweet little helpers...]

[Surprise! You got a dissertation!]

  

Through it All, Together

Joy, to us, Together

A letter, regarding grace

[Lately it seems I've been thinking a lot about grace, about what it means, and about what it means to live in and out of it.  And it seems as if situations of my daily life keep bringing me back to it, pointing out to me the places where I need it, want it, ignore it, even fight it.  I can't help but think that it's a journey of grace we're living, and I can't help but see it as a relational journey at that.  So, below, my latest thoughts.] 

Dear 241,

Our semester together is over, and I have recently read your SRTEs.  Your comments were insightful, constructive, encouraging, kind.  In your support of me, you showed me a lot of grace; you also showed me that my goal of seeing you and encouraging you to be who you are was met.  I am humbled by these things you've said, and am listening.

There is one comment that is sticking with me, one small line in the midst of the rest that causes me to pause, to say--"wait!" It has to do with those second chances I was always talking about, those moments of grace on which our community was built.  It's a comment that essentially says: Those second chances should be available for everyone.   And my heart twists a little bit inside of me and the comment sticks with me, because here's the thing: they were.  All you had to do was ask.  

My heart is twisting, I think, because I'm sorry that you missed it. I'm sorry it wasn't clear.  But, my heart is twisting more, because there's so much more to this than one small assignment that could have been tried again.  

I talked to you a lot about grace, about the importance of extending it to myself and to others.  I told you I believed in it, that I needed it in order to get through a day.  I know better than anyone the amount of grace I need.  And I have watched, semester after semester, as students have sat in my classroom and believed about themselves that grace is either a) not necessary for them or b) not available.  

I'm here to tell you: It's both.  Necessary.  And available.

I'm also here to tell you: This is not my idea.  

I didn't make it up, and it won't surprise you when I tell you where I got it from.  It's straight out of the Bible, the heart of the message of Jesus:  "For God so loved the world, he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him shall have eternal life". 

John 3:16, the most quoted, least understood verse.  You've possibly even heard it said before, to the point where it don't mean a thing anymore, the words having lost their power.  

So let me say it this way:  God considers you to be so valuable to himself, that he offers you a way to know him. He gives it to you, as a gift. If you believe that Jesus is who he said he is, that he is the One who came to offer you grace in each new day, then you will know God, and you will find the life that you were meant to live.  

What it means is: 
It's available to everyone.  All you have to do is ask.    

And I guess that comment about our class stuck with me, because it showed me how easy it is to miss how easy this is.  And because you're valuable to me, I wanted to make it clear:  If you know your need for grace, ask for it.  

I'll close this by asking for your grace.  In the places where I was inconsistent, unclear, unfair, or more-- please forgive me.  I have learned from you, and I am grateful to you. 

So, here's to a Happy New Year~make it matter!

Love, Lauren

A Merry, if Various, Christmas

[Every once in a while, a person needs a change of pace.

Hence, this Christmas, I partied down with my family of friends in and around my home, saving my travels to NJ and family-family for this coming weekend.]

The variety of my Christmas started Christmas Eve morning, 

 over waffles with these lovelies,

 as we exchanged sweet gifts

and laughed at jokes that only we would understand.

Then, I hopped into my favorite place, 

to do my favorite thing.

[And no, I do not mean this, in case it crossed your mind....]

It was time to prepare the Christmas stew, you see, because soon enough we were expecting friends--

 dear ones still in town,

with whom we wanted to make some merry memories.

The time was merry to capacity, but soon enough I had to run out, to close out the afternoon with some beauteous Christmas Eve services.  Reading, playing, worshiping, connecting--all was beauteous indeed.

 But, when all was over, I hopped into my car and got myself over to my dear friends the Rebarchaks, 

for a laid back and lovely traditional 

Polish feast of fish and pierogies.

Afterward we sat together in front of the glowing tree and a raging fire, Amy and Caleb, Caleb's parents, the dogs, and I--reveling in a cozy room, each other, and the sounds of Christmas radiating from the tv.

As the Eve drew late, however, I forced myself away.  I had, after all, a Christmas sleepover to get to.  Heather, Ash, & I laughed together late into the night, and then I curled myself into a very small space next to a furnace of a child and pretended to sleep until the early morning, when I opened my eyes to the excited whispers of some very excited girls (who are also quite skilled in the art of whisper-shrieking, believe it or not...)

 There were exclamations (at gradually increasing volumes) over the giant pile of gifts that had somehow emerged in the night.

 And then, we settled in. Gifts were cheerfully distributed,

 my pile large and thoughtful.

 We enjoyed the tearing and the gifting all together;

 we enjoyed this amazing french toast bake.

 We then lounged with our coffee 

 and our new treats,

 taking a leisurely morning to just be,

together.

Eventually, I took myself home,

and indulged in a Christmas nap-to-end-all-naps.

I needed to recoup my abbreviated sleep of the night before, after all, in preparation for the activities yet to come.

You see, next, I joined this lovely family 

(seen here minus the men) for a leisurely afternoon of hanging out, eating delicious food, and watching a fun movie.  I learned all sorts of things I didn't know about these dear friends, and enjoyed their home of giggles and sweet hearts.

Soon enough, however, it was time for kiddos to sleep 

and for me to meander to my next lovely time,

one of tea, treats, conversation, 

and the requisite laughter of easy and comfortable friendship.  

All wrapped up in a sweet and simple night, 

we closed out Christmas with good cheery fun.

I don't know how I got to be so blessed, 

but consider me a girl beyond grateful for my variety of friends, 

and for the variety of ways they cheer my soul.

A Merry Various Christmas, indeed.