Footsteps: First Birthday and Community

What really made William's party special was the community we felt from people that came from all different places to love on and celebrate with us. My mother and stepfather came in on Thursday, Matthew's mom and dad came in the next day, and my dad and stepmother the next day and stayed through until Tuesday. And our close friends here in Clarksville arrived at 3pm on party day. There is so much joy to be found in the community the God gives if we open ourselves up to receive it. We felt that sense community that weekend.

...In family members stringing up balloons over breakfast casserole, sharing morning coffee and scripture reading with a mom and daughter, big family dinners with wine and jazz music in the background (that just makes it fancy), scooting around town to explore Clarksville and Ft. Campbell, watching movies together with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies over ice cream, trips to Lowes for fix-it projects around the house...
...In having friends mixed with family over cake and ice cream, kids chasing bubbles on the deck, parents lounging in the living room chit-chatting with the windows open feeling the cool breeze after the rain, and feeding hungry kids again from our pantry when it was 7:00pm.

Moments like these make me stop and think...this is how we should live. In community. With open doors. Working hard but being rewarded with a day filled with restful celebration and fellowship. Sharing life-on-life. Sharing pantries. Sharing a cup of coffee or dessert along with your heart. Giving and not expecting in return. People coming together of all ages, different backgrounds and walks of life. Having people piled in on top of each other, going into your pantry or covering up in a blanket. We were never meant to walk this life alone, but sharpening and encouraging one another, even as messy and flawed as we are. And being intentional when in these settings to move beyond the exterior and get at the heart. It's hard sometimes because we'll feel like "Oh my house isn't clean" or "I don't have enough food" or wanting to be the 'perfect' host. That's when, in the words of hubs, perfect becomes enemy of the good.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~Hebrews 10:23-25

So pray for us that we will open ourselves up to intentionally seeking out more opportunities for community and not let silly things hold us back. And not for community's sake alone, but for Christ's sake that together we would see Him more clearly. And please share your own experiences with this. Can you tell a lot has been on my mind spiritually lately with this post and previous post on Eternity?

Now for some birthday weekend pics :)

Gettin lots of snuggles with Pop Pop before his big day

And had lots of fun being tossed into pillows with Ya Ya

Loved watching his new Baby Einstein videos with Grandaddy and Grandmama

And floor time and trips to see daddy at Ft. Campbell with Mimi and Pop Pop who stayed post-party for more time with us

My friend Trish and her son Lucas. Trish's husband works with Matthew as an army dentist.

My mom and stepfather enjoying relaxing at the party after all that prep work

Church friends Stephen, Megan and lil' adorable one Alice

Nicki and Cassie and cute lil' Isaiah. Nicki and I go to church together and our hubs work together. And Cassie was my first friend to make in Clarksville