Its been two weeks. It seems much longer than that to me though. What did we do two weeks ago? We went out to neighborhoods and met the people there. Kids the same ages as mine. Boys and girls, toddlers, pre-teens, adolescents, teenagers, young adults, moms, grand moms, and grand dads. We gathered in simple areas, mostly outside. We talked, we shared God’s word, we sang songs, we did funny dances, we made woven bracelets, we shared, we learned, we read, we played games, we jumped rope, we talked about school, movies and television. We prayed. We were all open to what God may have called us together on those days in July. We smiled, we laughed, and we sighed. I’ve learned from experience to make extra effort to be present and to try and 'remember, in advance.' The avalanche of sensations and emotions can be too much when you’re in the moment and it can be easy to forget all that you’re experiencing. What seems unimportant can come back to your in your dreams years later. I’ve found it helpful to slow down and take the mental, visual, audio and yes the nasal imprints. Digital pictures are great but journals are better. They offer a more personal and truer account of what was happening with you. They can be hard to share, too. Here is an abridged version of mine: The people, the climate, the countryside, the buildings, the food, all different. Me too. Wanting to feel the connections with distant brothers and sisters, reacting to the challenge to be a cheerful giver, learning to love others above yourself, to avoid false idols, to be a faithful steward, trying to remember that God is always with us…. The same for all. For me, too. |