Union vs Communion



I was listening to a radio program this morning that tackled the subject of 'Union vs Communion'. 

It reminded me that many of our relationships are already in the union status.

Meaning that we are united.

Either by blood relation, by marriage, by adoption, by friendship. etc,

We have become united in some way, sometimes by choice and sometimes not, but we are united in these relationships.

Just because we are united through relationship does not mean we are in communion, or connected to, or with, each other.

The communion part, the connection part, is ongoing.

It is the handiwork of God and our own hearts to create, to build, to weave, to repair to restore relationship.

Thinking that just because we are united, or related, or friends means that we are always connected...is arrogance...and ignorance.

Part of being connected is serving one another.

Work that thought and action out in all of your relationships. 

As long as you live.

Not as an act of 'works' but as a lifestyle of loving each other and honoring those who God put in your life. 

That's the easy part.

Now here comes the nitty gritty...we must be willing to uncover that which has stink in order to be connected, in order to become connected, in order to restore connection.

We have to get dirty with one another and see it as joy to elbow up in the filth of our lives. 

We all have it...filth.

We cover it up, we call it something other than what it is, we deny, we lie, we hide, we run.

We wear masks and in many cases ask each other to wear masks so that we don't have to get dirty ourselves or with them. 

Connection takes time, it takes commitment, it takes prayer and patience, it demands us doing something.

Partaking of and sharing.

Being transparent.

Being there without judgment of our hearts and ugly spirits. 

Max Lucado says: “Give a man religion without reminding him of his filth, and the result will be arrogance in a three- piece suit.

I do not want to help you to be well dressed if I cannot help you become clean.

No cover-ups.

Thoughts from Sissy

We sometimes call Josephine, Sissy.

I'm not really sure where it came from but she knows both her name and it. It works. So Sissy has some thoughts she wanted me to share from our day yesterday:

This morning when Nana got to my house I was eating breakfast with mommy.

Then Nana made me an egg and she thought it was too runny so she mushed it up in the pan for a little longer. It was really good but I like the yellow part the best.

Then Nana was going to read me some stories but I didn't really want to sit that long so I scattered my books all around after I opened some of the pages.

Nana was doing some noisy stuff at the washing machine. Maybe she was helping mommy wash my diapers.

When I started rubbing me eyes, Nana rocked me until I fell asleep. I don't remember what happened after we were sitting in the rocking chair but when I woke up I wanted to get out of my crib and crawl some more.

I had a bottle and after that me and Nana ate again. I had some bananas and squash and Nana never made me a peanut butter breadwich before but I thought it was grand. She said when I get bigger I can eat a sandwich with two pieces of bread, but for now when I am still small I can have a breadwich with one piece. I put peanut butter in my hair too. I think mommy might want to wash it tonight.

Today I fell over with my Lego house. Nana held me when I was crying about it all.

When auntie Katie came this afternoon she said she thought my hair looked funny and Nana told her that is because I put peanut butter in it. Auntie laughed and then we played on the floor.

Nana left to go to her other work and auntie and me waited for mommy to come home from the money bank.

I am Nana...Hear Me Roar

This little bumpkin changed my heart...and my name.

 

I am Nana...hear me roar...with joy filled laughter, with loud fun singing, with surprised uht-ohs. Josephine and I are pretty vocal about our days together.

We dance and read, we clap and wave.

Sometimes we watch baby einstein, to which she bounces and talks.

Josephine is now nine months old.

She loves her people and she knows exactly who we are.

She likes peas too, can you tell?

 

Today I am re-gathering my blog "stuff" in order to begin June with 30 days of blogging. 

I am also washing, drying and folding diapers along with some little person clothes.

When she wakes from her morning nap we will read some books and share some lunch while she practices her "shiver shake" in her high chair.

I thought about visiting Papa for lunch but he is swamped at work, so we will stay in doors out of the wind and rain.

 

I have some ideas of blog topics that will most likely change as the month rolls along,

but this is my start.

Little souls don't mind if we share them while we learn new things. In fact I think they rather enjoy being included in our stories.

So, I will be taking Josephine along this journey.

Come with us...

 



This Little Blog Of Mine

I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine...let it shine.

I have been struggling with the discovery of how to become a successful entrepreneur. This is not a road less traveled...let me tell you. Talented people are entering the virtual world in droves and the saturation is immeasurable. I, however, do not see this as a negative but a challenge. BUT what am I being challenged to do...to be...to become...to see...to notice...to steer away from? What is it? There are crazy little niches everywhere...and more coming outta the closet as we speak. What are we going to do. How are we going to shed light on our personal talents, skills and our desires to become home based industries. Where do we start? I am leaving this open for the moments ahead...to contemplate, ponder, search and think. So redundant. Add your thoughts...please. Encouragement, critique and redirection is of importance...always. Do share your thoughts. 

Flikr

The 101 class was easy...I already had an account set up from some time ago. So laughing at myself.

"the trifecta"

Shauna and Stephen created somethingshidinghere and opened their etsy shop in June 2007. In their featured seller interview, they speak of the "trifecta theory": etsy+blog+flickr. That trifecta has driven customers to them for the past several years. Aside from their amazingly awesome carved mustaches, the trifecta theory has proven to be one ingredient that has resulted in their success.

So...I post this to share their link and to help myself get motivated about flickr. I know very little about flickr...but today I will be learning, and I will let you know how that adventure goes. Here we go: Flickr 101!

Number 2 turns 23

How does this happen? Every year this happens...four times. That makes this number EIGHTY FIVE to be exact. So we celebrate this day with my second daughter...to remind her of our gratefulness that she is here, living life, experiencing relationships, having fun and continuing to grow into a lovely woman. It has been a treasure to know you all these years. Happy 23rd Birthday! Love you...to the nth!