Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The best addition imaginable.


I lived with Ryan and Kendra for a full year after I graduated from college. The three times now I've been back to Wheaton since moving to Oregon, going over there has felt a bit surreal.

Unlike the other places I called home in my five years in that town-
campus, which is now teeming with infants I don't recognize, or the house seven of us lived in after HNGR which is blessedly rented to a family who appears to be taking way better care of it than we did,
Ryan and Kendra's looks virtually exactly the same.

Same dining room table set with the same cloth napkins and same Anthropologie glasses.
Same sunny couch where I had all my quiet times in the mornings and same wall hangings from Ten Thousand Villages in every room.
Same Book of Common Prayer on the coffee table and same organic food in the fridge.

After we ate last Thursday, I had the strong urge to say,
"Hold on, before dessert I'm gonna just go get ready for bed, be right back."
It felt completely like if I opened the door to what had been my bedroom, I'd find my quilt on the bed, my pictures on the wall and my clothes in the closet.


December 2010

But there is this one wonderful, wonderful change in their house.





The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. 

1 comment:

K.L. Juskus said...

This warms my heart, Em. Thank you for the beautiful post. I truly missed you when you left our house that week, not just saying it. Yours was a refreshing and encouraging presence to have grace the space once again.

However. What the hell am I wearing on my feet in the fireplace photo? Think we could crop that a bit? ;)

Love you.

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.