Staff Fun Day

Oh Staff Fun Day...one of my favorite days of the year for the past four years running.

I was invited to participate in Rockbridge's staff fun day- even though I'm no longer on staff. The invite made my day the other day, and I am so glad that I went. I got up early, got dressed and out the door in my usual 20 minutes and headed into camp for bible study. I was a little anxious thinking that it was going to feel weird doing the work commute but not be working...but I found that go away when I saw so many faces that I have loved so much for four years in North Mountain gathering for Staff Bible Study. This morning was the kick off, and I got to see where it was headed, and for about an hour it didn't feel like a single thing had changed in my life...I was still part of Rockbridge.

Going off to bowling I was pumped, and came in 2nd place, behind the master Ken Huff who scored 199...I was an amazing ok not so amazing 126. BUT still...out of 30 people he and I were on top. Lunch was fun, and it was cool to feel so normal at a table and share a little tiny bit about where I've been and what I've seen. Really, just laughing at my friends and sharing glances that were all knowing and funny were the dominate activities at lunch.

I began to think about how we know people. There are some that are just surface based, and there are others that have carried you through with you on their backs- just trying to help you survive. At the table this afternoon I looked across at such people, some friends and strangers all at the same time. We can't know everyone intimately well, there's just not enough time in the day for starters, and then there are those we have to practice loving b/c the dynamics are just so different. I loved touching base with Becky about the store, and I felt parts of myself renew in being stimulated that way about Retail, and I loved talking to Doug about where I went in CA and knowing how much he would have loved the same experience if he had the opportunity at my age. I loved sitting next to Jana and not having to tell her every detail about everything just so she'd know, we could just sit and I could just love her and that was enough.

We can't undo knowing people, or remembering seeing them at their worst. When I feel my pride get in the way, I do wish to escape and start fresh somewhere. I have been less then impressed with my erratic moods and behaviors recently. I have felt myself guide from simple chill moments, into snappy cranky ones, into just laughing for no reason- or freaking out about a bug on the table. For the 2nd night in the row I could sense my moods change. I have been so stimulated the past four days with social interaction, that I wonder if what I learned in CA or traveling in general about being still and alone was starting to counteract the pace I was setting- and keeping. I feel better right now, and I'm thankful that I live with two women of God that I could sit with after dinner (sorry everyone for the house meeting we closed the door on), and talk about random stories, pray, laugh, snuggle with Gracie, all holed up in the office.

I am thankful for the office and the conversations that have taken place in just two days.
I am thankful for Staff Fun Day and the friends I have at Rockbridge that have loved me well, and the times I've grown in the reality of being flawed people in the midst of God's creation in the mountains.
I am thankful for house dinner and the nonsensical laughter that comes when you take five of us at a table and we can get inappropriate, serious, critical, and dumb within minutes of each other.
I am thankful that I have this home that is more then a house, its a place my heart has been stretched, a place I feel like is a home for Christ and the people who visit and live.
I am thankful for knowing glances from across the table from someone who is reading your face with empathy, understanding and just knowing what you think is funny and why without words.

I have found that I have more things to be thankful for then I can even count, and I have many people that fit into each category. I have been shown the strength of friendship this week in being home, and I have been shown the gifts we've been able to share while at Staff Fun Day today.

So despite the tid bit of crankiness at dinner time, I had a stellar day...and now I am sitting in the office looking across and seeing Gracie bob her head in trying to stay awake-and I am so thankful for you, you, and you. May God continue to show us how to love each other better, and may we recognize the small and big moments to be thankful for when we've loved each other well so far.