“Friendship is neither night nor day. It is the sweeping chime of a damp mossy church bell where statues stretch at dawn” -Nicole Verrone
I am sorry I have been away in hiding my friends, we were actually away at the beach, but beyond that I feel like I am slowly retreating again. Sometimes this is good, but not always. Not when I don’t get to see you. I think we’re really in need of each other right now.
We have a crazy week ahead of us once again, but perhaps we can still get together, maybe Sunday evening next week? Let me know what you think.
Love you all
-S-
i agree. we’re good for sunday. love you all so much.
oh i love you guys and gals so much;)
yes we are good for sunday too!! What time and where? any food suggestions??
leah – you and matthew and the girls are on my mind today! I love you and ache for you on Nathan’s birthday, and pray God’s immense love for you be comforting all day. i admire you, and the giant steps you’ve made, the quiet that comes from sorrow and that is the backbone of your beauty. I wouldn’t want your storm for anyone, but you have endured so gracefully that you minister to me on and on.
we are lonesome for you all. words aren’t enough, though I live for them and feed on them. better is a slice of pie on the porch with you, pretty sisters and dear brothers. but sunday we can’t host; we have plans with a family. if there is another night, maybe a weekday night the next week? else, maybe someone else can host.
you are like strings on this hollow frame that gives music to a vacant name.
Matt and Leah, I didn’t know what today was, my heart is with you guys, we love you so much and I echo what Nicole said so much more eloquently than I could ever have – you are such beautiful people in our lives.
-A night next week would certainly be better for us, MOnday wednesday or friday. Or we can host although without the Verrones I would be sad (and we’re not exactly central for everyone) But of course, whatever everyone wants to do, heck maybe we can meet on Sunday AND partay in the week. Be a little bit crazy.
there’s our days of freedom
Man – nicole, your words are so inspired and so beautiful…Leah and Matthew, I didn’t realize what day yesterday was either – jay and i love you guys so much and have been so touched and inspired by your story and your strength in it all – such grace…
i would love to see everyone soon, so any of all the days mentioned would be okay for us…we will make our schedules around whatever day we meet – so for those who have more obstacles, you guys decide what day and Jay and I will be there;)
just let us know – our hearts long to be with you all…hope your weeks are going well!!
love!
a beautiful day’s hello to you.
our Sunday night plans were cancelled, so our home is open for Sunday night. Anyone wanna dream up a menu?
i love you today.
For Sunday:
Bring something to grill.
Bring special drinks if you want anything other than t, h20 or java.
I’m making potato salad and lemon pies.
Leah’s making a bean salad.
Just fill in the blanks….chips or fruit or whateva and your grill item of choice (and buns if they’re part of your grill item.)
see you @ 5:30 or 6:00.
yayayaya!
k we are going to atlanta, but are going to try really hard to be back in time…ill keep in touch though and let you know…
love you guys!!
Hi There,
we will be at a wedding, so we wont be able to make it..We miss hanging with you guys and hope to be able to see you all soon!
xoxo
Katrina
do you all want to come over for dessert thurs night for matt’s bday?
hey we missed you all yesterday!! got back from atlanta really late;) anyway – we are in for dessert leah bo beah!! see you thursday – what time? do we need to bring anything either…say pears, marscapone and butter cookies??
let me know;)
love love love!!
Actually, we are going to celebrate on sunday, 7 ish pm. i will provide dessert and coffee and hot tea. jess, mascarpone pear butter cookies are always welcome! lemme know who can make it. love you all so dearly, looah
sunday is even better;) ill definitely be there – jay is camping this weekend but he might be back in time;) and i will bring the goodies described above!!
HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY MATTHEW CANTRELL……..WE LOVE YOU, BOY!!!
VERRONIES
Happy birthday Matt!!!!
love you – jay & jess
anybody got strep throat? holla at me. leah
oh no leah I hope you’re not sick?
had a nose cold, but not strep throat.
Hey folks I wanted to let yees all know that if anyone ever wants to use this place to post thoughts (especially now we’re not technically a small group) please email me or ask me next time what the password is to write posts here. This is a place we should all be free to use. I just don’t want to post it online for anyone to see of course.
But Nicole, I love to read your words and if there’s things you may wanna write, or Stephen, for all of us or whatever, let me know.
love yees
-S-
Guys, Last night was so much fun. It is always so rich to be with you all and I really appreciate you coming out for Matt’s bday! I feel like I am getting to know all of you more deeply and that is soooooo good. Love to you all, and have a great week. Oh, and if you have not been to Latta Park spray grounds in Dilworth- you must. I took the girls this morning with our playgroup. Maybe us mom’s could take the kids some morning.
I had a BLAST on sunday!! I love you guys and look forward to the next time we can be together…you are all my favorites;)
pears, hula-hoops and skateboarding just made it that more special!
sarah deshields….next time bring your ribbons;)
I straight up schooled you women on that there hula hoop. Hope you took notes.
I love you all.
wait, i never saw you hula hooping!
A picture inside of today:
For the past four days, I’ve been spending the days with a group of children (my girls and nieces and nephew) ages 10, 9, 8, 7, 7 and 4. The conversations around the lunch table consist of tooth loss, bath bubbles little boy style, strange food habits, passing ketchup covered nuggets hand to hand, bicycle stunts, eating on the couch privileges, and things daddies say. Their greatest rush and tension of the day is hurrying back outside to ride bikes and work on the bicycle town. They’re extraordinary. I have been so so tired at the end of the day, so extremely unmotivated for much other than routine. Today I asked Bryan to please remind me not to return to the mush that I am. I admit so freely that I am at my best when community is reflected day to day. But some scorched summer days filled with children don’t lend themselves to much else.
I feel called back to a zeal that lived in my first love for Christ, and more – that realization that He loved and saw me. Pray that I can know how to surrender all of the ways ministry seems like work instead of a pouring out, and find Him as the source. There’s a bit to be undone in my thinking. It’s complex and new, so the roots not yet deep there and nothing holds as much strength as His calling. This is all stemming from His calling me back to Him.
It’s eerie. When I walked into prayer Sunday morning before service, the directions from His spirit jumped out of my mouth. When I was surrounded there in that little room, He said to return to the first love I knew, that there had come so many distractions, and that my vision had become cloudy.
I knew in my heart all of the promises He had spoken to me before. It was as if I was waking again somehow. From some coma. It was a little glint of light, and a small sweet little voice. it’s had to describe, so hard to describe, but after I listened to the podcast from Sunday on Monday night, I was alarmed and awakened fully and was afraid of how long I’d been sleep walking. God – I’ll die, I so quickly die without the seeking first. And I had plenty of excuses – busyness, my mom’s stroke and helping her every day, 3 kids, children’s ministry, nausea, fatigue. But all of these things must be fueled in the power of the spirit or else death feels like the next turn.
I’ve been having a hard time, and have had loneliness on top of it all and surrounded with so many children. Maybe I should have let someone know to pray for me. Next storm – maybe I will. Be here now. It’s been hard, and still is. But, all that to say, through my weakness and lethargy, I STILL AM BEING CHASED.
Good poetry comes from seasons like this for me. Something in me likes loneliness, and the state of being a sad hermit. I default to that as I have confessed. I secretly look forward to being old and alone with coffee and an old clunky typewriter and a wiry gray bun on the back of my head. Strange. But – now that I’ve known all of you, I can’t help but miss you, and He won’t allow me to sink into hiding. It’s the curse of holy love that wars wars wars with what comes naturally. But the taste of abundant life embitters days of quiet. So, I am writing a hello. Hello.
I love you.