Cats, Weeds, and Bread

It's been a long stretch with no blogging. Although lots has happened, it may not seem that noteworthy to my many avid readers.

I did rescue a cat from a tree the other day. Cats are popular on the internet so that should get me some brownie points. The fire department had even been called, but were taking a long time, so I grabbed my painting ladder and gave it a try. It was easy. That cat was ready to come down!

Mostly we have been settling into our new townhouse. We finally got approved and moved in mid-June. There has been a bit of work to do, like getting screens, washer/dryer, furniture, setting up a trampoline, mowing the grass weeds, and keeping up with the dishes. It is a co-op arrangement so we are expected to do some work for the co-op every month. Michelle is on a committee and I try to help by mowing different common areas. I've also been helping to paint another unit to get it ready for occupancy.

There has been lots of countertop-making happening as well, at work. My family has been doing their own thing at home or traveling to visit family in Alberta. We took a few days off for re-entry retreat in Pennsylvania. That was a good time to connect with other recent world returnees (from different Mennonite mission agencies) who share the same mental space. We also debriefed with HR from MCC. I resonated with the scripture that Jim from EMM shared from Luke 9, where Jesus' disciples return from their ministry assignment and "reported to Jesus what they had done." (v.10) I decided I wanted to tell him what I had done in Zambia--even though of course he already knew. So I spent a short time in prayer. Another day Jim shared again from Luke chapter 9, using the analogy of the bread (this is where he fed the 5000) being Taken, Blessed, Broken, and Given (likely this idea is from Henri Nouwen). Again this seemed important to me, that Jesus had taken, blessed, broken, and given me to Choma for a time. And he does this with each of us, all the time, whenever we choose to follow him.

That is the theme this Sunday at church, according to my pastor's note: focusing on following Jesus. I will be leading worship, so I've been thinking a bit about this tonight as I plan the songs. Many times I choose songs that focus on God's unconditional love and care for us, and this is again the case, but I am trying to be intentional with some prayerful commitment lyrics also.