Reunionizing

I know--it's not a word, unless you count the poorly written entries in the online urban dictionary.  But that's what this weekend has been about.  Having 160+ relatives in one place, seeing old pictures, hearing letters written nearly 100 years ago, witnessing how much my third/fourth cousins' children have grown:  such fun! It was amazing to see my Great Aunt "Lig" who is as elegant and ladylike as I remember her 20 years ago.  Not only is she perfectly lucid, she is also witty.  Oh and the food--my uncle and cousin, official grill masters, treated the Martin family to excellent BBQ, and everyone else brought fresh veggies and delicious desserts. What a blessing it was to be there!  Having 11 children certainly has its perks.

Friday the 13th was the first time I had driven with the boys by myself from NC to AL which brings me to my Joy Dare Day #14:  three things unexpected, unwanted and unlikely.  Unexpected:  a peaceful ride to AL and a stop at the Revolutionary War site in Camden, SC.  Unwanted:  the opportunity to overeat was met with the resolve not to get too much and to truly taste what I did get.  Unlikely:  a game of "Go Fish" with my mother, aunt, cousin, and youngest son was a great way to witness how much my little boy has grown.

And today was also a reunion of sorts.  I love my hometown church:   First United Methodist Church of Enterprise.  It was where my oldest friend and I were baptized as infants.  It was where I first heard the gospel and accepted Jesus as my Savior as an elementary student, and had lots of adventures as a youth.  It was where I, as a young girl, first sang a solo:  "Jesus, Name Above All Names" and where I, as an adult, joined The Band.   So many moments--happy, fun, tearfully transparent, and revolutionizing.

And that brings me to my next Joy Dare Day, #15:  three gifts from God's word:  1.  My dad taught the lesson at the Nursing Home today as part of the community church outreach program.  It was more of a sermon really and what fun to hear him preach it.  The folks assembled there were so grateful to God for his salvation and blessings.  It was a blessing to worship with them, singing hymns with gusto and hearing Daddy speak on the Lord's Prayer.  2. Reading The Message translation occasionally makes the Word fresh for me:  Psalm 80:19  "God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!  Smile your blessing smile:  That will be our salvation."  3.  God's "indefatigable love"  And I'll end with poetry; this time Psalm 98:

Sing to GOD a brand-new song.
He's made a world of wonders!

He rolled up his sleeves,
He set things right.

God made history with salvation,
He showed the world what he could do.

He remembered to love us, a bonus
To his dear family, Israel---indefatigable love.

The whole earth comes to attention.
Look--God's work of salvation!

Shout your praises to GOD, everybody!
Let loose and sing!  Strike up the band!

Round up an orchestra to play for GOD,
Add on a hundred-voice choir.

Feature trumpets and big trombones,
Fill the air with praises to King GOD.

Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
With everything living on earth joining in.

Let ocean breakers call out, "Encore!"
And mountains harmonize the finale--

A tribute to GOD when he comes,
When he comes to set the earth right.

He'll straighten out the whole world,
He'll put the world right, and everyone in it.