It is a delight to be the spouse of a hard working, joy-filled, dedicated man.



Monday, December 29, 2008

Good Friends and Gold Rings

The Bowermans hosted a dinner of old friends last night. You know the kind, people you really like to be with and admire greatly but because their family and yours do very different things you always wish you would get together but before you know it it has been too long again.

Joe and Marthie are such friends, being with them is like having a nice cozy blanket wrapped around your arms. They are incredibly gentle and encouraging. I hesitate to use the word sweet because for me sweet, in a person, is rather insincere and these people are definitely not insincere.

We see them when we are at the Fair but usually we only see mom and dad and the youngest. So, while I would have recognized the "baby" (now five), their other five children really through me for a loop.

Their older boys are tall and very mannerly, very personable. It is always nice to spend time with young men who know how to act like men and not sulky children.

Their girls are beautiful and like their parents, gentle and interested in people. My girls reconnected with their girls and a good evening was had by all. Plans were made for some horseback riding in the spring and I certainly hope that I am better at keeping in touch this year. Perhaps I should add that to my list of resolutions eh?

It was a great evening, thanks Mike. And thanks Rebecca, for such lovely ambiance, the candles, the greenery, the dishes, all were just beautiful and soothing. Especially after a day of pruning that least favorite tree!


Today is the fifth day of Christmas, hard to believe that it was only four days ago isn't it.

On the fifth day of Christmas
My True Love gave to me,
Five golden rings.

The five books of the Pentateuch; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers Deuteronomy.

I have a hard time thinking about the first five books and the Law, without thinking about Jesus' words. Specifically his words in the Sermon on the Mount. Where he brings up a few basic laws and then tells us that we need to go beyond the laws. That we need to go there without external compunction, but solely out of a desire to participate in Love, a love that is far beyond normal human imagination.

Today is a very soggy day and the Vicks are going to be quiet and reflective. Dirt is still home from teaching college and we are hoping that we can get to some reading and reflecting as a family together as we prepare for the seasons and the year to come. No tv, no radio, no big projects.

We'll let you know how it goes, but Dear Reader, we hope that your day today is a good one, that you are able to attend to what God calls you to. That these afternoons between big feast days are filled with refection and armament for the days ahead of all of us.

PS Please go read Meaningful Monday at Jo's place. It's terrific! After reading it I had to run right back here and tell you to go read it. So please, go read it! And then sit down and have a cup of coffee!

6 comments:

Connie said...

Time spent in fellowship with good friends is always a blessing. What a lovely day you had, Lanny. I enjoyed reading about the time you shared.

Susie said...

What a wonderful blessing to have such great friends Lanny! Sounds like you had a lovely time.

KathyB. said...

Aren't evenings like that the icing on the cake of relationships? And aren't you glad we did NOT shear sheep today? A day of reflection with the family sounds much more beneficial all round!

Flower said...

Ok, I'm going to have a cup of coffee!! With cream....:)
Thanks!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the plug for my Meaningful Monday Posts. I hope I have the opportunity to post at least a couple of times while we are gone. I am so connected to all who visit my blog on a regular basis, I feel as if you are all family and I need to stay in touch.

Hope your new year is blessed with good health, much happiness and plenty of love.

Marla said...

I hope you had a good Christmas. Wishing you a very Happy New Year.