this precious life.

i know i've said it many times, but being with people i love & gathering them  around a table to nourish them with food & conversation makes my heart so full! this little dinner was rather last minute but sometimes those are the best ones!  it was a united effort as we spread the table, prepared summer dishes & prayed the rain away:)   maybe it seems silly and just adds to the work load to carry tables & chairs & dishes & food  all the way outside just so we can eat together under the twinkle lights… but to me, it's so much more than that.  it's the community that takes place when we work together to make a dinner happen & the collaboration  of many ideas as we discuss how things should be placed or what toppings should go on the salad.  it gives us an opportunity to build & create together and then fully enjoy the work of our hands  as we delve into the flavors of the season-- sharing storie...

this week was incredibly difficult. (what a way to start a blog post, right?!) i've had several physically draining weeks & months this year that have sometimes left me crying tears of exhaustion on my bed, but this last week was mentally & emotionally draining (which also transfers to physically draining i suppose) as literally every aspect of my life (from current work situations & relationships to future plans & commitments) was challenged in some large way. the biggest outstanding question being "WHY"? and the outstanding answer being "GRACE". as each issue arose or mistake was made, i was told over & over to "just show some grace & understanding" or "accept this grace & let it go". i heard the word 'grace' so much this week that i was sick of it! grace isn't rational and my prideful & selfish heart doesn't like grace- receiving or showing it.  and then i was reminded of two things. fir...