What's hot, what's not

Lots of scattered things on my mind tonight, from the wonder of last night's small group meeting to the fabric sitting in the sack waiting to be sewn into a purse for my mom and sister. Here are some thoughts on the fly while the dinner is cooking. Typing keeps me from snacking.

Last night's small group meeting was fantastic. There were seven of us there-- MV's wife was working and couldn't make it. (I'll use initials to protect people from I-don't-know-what.) We started by introducing ourselves, nutshell of church background, family background, etc. Then we split up into couples (thanks for that fun idea, Rich and Jen, or Meg and Jim, or Sean and Jeannie. I forget who did that first!) and talked about five questions Brad and I had prepared. How did you get together? Describe your families of origin. What strengths from your families did you bring into your marriage? What challenges from your families have you overcome in your marriage? What challenges remain, or have cropped up lately?

We took 15 minutes to talk them over with our spouse and then came back together to share. What happened was *real* community-- people being honest and open, real and vulnerable, eager to know and be known. It was just rich. After everyone left I stared at the ottoman in the center of the room and in my mind it was covered with a big pile of all that had been said. The weight of MV's fear of having children, the weight of MJ's financial issues, the weight of SH's horrid family upbringing and denial that its effects linger (!), the sheer weight of all that had been said. I felt the weight of all that had been dumped, and felt responsible to honor that vulnerability and to somehow lead them through that big pile into freeeeeeeedom. Sweet freedom. I could see what lies on the other side for each person, and I so desperately want to take them there with my oh-so-vast wisdom. And pushing and shoving. But it must be God who takes their heart there. How do I help that happen???? (really, I'm asking!)

Other things on my mind:

What's HOT: seeing my first live armadillo on the side of the road. It's like seeing a live raccoon or possum. We all know they are alive at one point, but I only see armadillos on the side of the road, ahem, sleeping.

What's HOT: seeing the rainbow on the way home tonight amidst the gorgeous clouds and the storm.

What's HOT: getting to chat with my friend Sam today and learning a bit about his fun PhD topic-- something about mapping the genome of E. coli. And you capitalize the E, but not the coli.

What's HOT: getting my fix at Joann Fabrics tonight. Now that I have a sewing machine and I know how to use it, I'm hooked. As I walked the aisles of fabrics I had that bad commercial in my head of the little boy singing, "Baa baa black sheep have you any weed? Yes sir, yes sir, first hit's free." I am so addicted to sewing. But not in a weird sew-your-own-vests kind of way.

What's NOT: spending $43 to fill up my gas tank.

What's NOT: being so far away from my sister. We never get to talk. My mom and I get to talk almost daily, but Steph and I have just the wrong schedules.

What's NOT: not much else.

Have a great night, all.