I read 1 Corinthians 13 today. It is a Bible chapter famous for it's explanation of true love. I asked God to show me how to love His way, not the flimsy, misguided way of the world. It's patient, kind, is happy with truth, endures, hopes, continues and is the greatest. I went out today with that prayer in my heart. I had a headache–one that felt like a migraine coming on (I get those every few weeks). But, at 8 a.m. I joined the Moms In Prayer group at our kids's former high school. And, despite my pain, I fully engaged and was blessed to meet two moms I had not met before. One recently returned to the US from foreign soil and years of overseas mission work. I also had the opportunity to pray after the meeting ended with another friend whom I've now known for three years. It shocks me to say that. No, three years is not a long time, but I met her only a few weeks after we landed in the states having moved "home" from Uganda, and the length of our friendship is a sort of gauge to me of time back in the US. Have we really been back three years? Some days it seems we returned yesterday and other days like a lifetime. The most drastic aspect of reflecting on how long we've been back is that I still feel like I'm in transition and wonder if I'll ever feel at home here. Then my heart quickly jumps in and expresses, "No! I don't ever want to fit in here! I want to stay different and with a unique perspective, and feel that at any moment I could find myself living and serving overseas again!" I guess not wanting to fit in isn't the best reaction to necessary transition and probably sprinkled with a smidgeon of pride over being different. However, God made it clear that this season is HERE. I shouldn't fight it, but give all I have to this time–however long it is.

This encouraging card that the moms of Moms in Prayer sent to me last week reminds me of God's constant presence. And that is why I asked Him to help me love. Giving myself to His ways helps me to remember that His ways are appropriate regardless of where I am. His ways give strength and purpose to my days whether they are in the US or another country. And speaking of another country, many of you know I just returned from Memphis, TN, where I was helping out my sister after my brother-in-law sustained a severely damaged leg and a brain injury from a fall from a tree. Honestly, I have not experienced in other countries a hospital so dirty and staff so inattentive as the one in Memphis. I thought, "Where am I? Is this the US for real????" It required my sister and I to function in a heightened state 24/7. Being the squeaky wheel wearied us; advocating for his safety and health was a constant need and demanded that we speak up hourly on his behalf. Few would enjoy having to be so consistenly on guard which meant we found ourselves interacting in tension quite often. Many of you have experienced such with your loved ones and I'm sad this is a reality in the American health care system. Today, at this time I am writing, he is FINALLY in surgery for his left leg (15 days after his fall) with his recovery expected to take weeks. He is still suffering from short term memory loss, but is showing intermittent signs of progress. His fall managed to change everything in a moment for our family. Only God knows how things will progress and it is Him who we trust to lead us. Being able to fly there only a few hours after hearing the news was a blessing of being stateside!!! I'm counting my blessings on being able to be present and tangibly show my love for her and her family! And so, back to my prayer for today to be able to love God's way. Staying after the Moms in Prayer meeting to pray with my friend was a way that I gave to another, even though I didn't feel very well at the time. On my way home I stopped by to put fuel in my car. As I started to pull away from the pump, I saw someone sitting nearby who looked to be distraught. At first I resisted the nudge to offer something. I never have cash on me, so I began to drive away, but God impressed upon me that I could go and offer to pray with them. I didn't want to, I wanted to drive home and crawl in my bed because my headache was quickly ramping up. But, I remembered what I'd asked God to help me do today and I saw this as one way He was helping me to love. And so, I approached the young man and asked if there was something he would like me to pray for him. He immediately stated that his mother was going into surgery and was worried and uneasy about it. He grabbed my hand and allowed me to pray with him. Afterward he asked my name and stated that his was Jacob. I probably won't see Jacob again, but I will remember to pray. Loving someone takes on many different forms. For instance, my mother-in-law is showing her love tonight as she cooks dinner for us. Most often I cook, but she knows I don't feel well and is taking that off of me for tonight. It's a true blessing of living in the same house! Just a moment ago our doorbell rang. Standing there were our neighbors with brownies in hand. The oldest daughter of the family had baked and they shared the bounty with us. I ignored my pounding head and visited with them for a bit. What a blessing to have such sweet neighbors (who share sweets!!). It's Autumn and the colors around here are amazing. On the way home from the gas station I stopped to snap a shot of one of my favorite views this time of year. It's just up the street from us and everytime I see it I feel such peace and thankfulness for the beauty of God's creation. I'm thankful to God for loving us by providing us with the pleasure of enjoying His creative color combinations!

After resting for awhile after returning home, I sat outside for a bit this afternoon to enjoy the crisp air combined with warm sunshine. It's such a beautiful time of year and I want to enhance it by looking for more ways to share God's love with others. Tomorrow I'll have more opportunity as I work with my patient and serve her family by caring for her. I'll keep my eyes open for unique ways to show God's love. And finally, in our neck of the woods we'll be receiving visitors this Friday evening. These are people we briefly met in Uganda and have stayed in touch with through the past few years. They will stay with us just one night, but my desire is to ready the house in such a way that they will feel at home. Unfortunately, after having been gone in Tennessee, and then in Arkansas (to see Toby) my house needs a lot of sprucing up.

With my headache today I have gotten exactly zip, nada, zero done towards readying things. But, you know what? Even though I'm working the next two days and will not have time to organize things, I'm going to focus on other ways I can help them feel welcome. It's a great opportunity to listen to what God says will show them love and bless them in His way. May we all keep our eyes open, ears tuned, and heart ready to love in whatever way He leads.