Glenn's May Synchroblog

Glenn at Re-dreaming the Dream is hosting a synchroblog that I decided to participate in. (Maybe this will help cure a bit of blogger's block).

These are Glenn's questions for the synchroblog:

How are you doing?

I'm doing pretty well. I seem to have finally embraced an "at rest-ness" and feel much more at peace than I have ever been in the past. At peace, despite knowing a life-transition is just ahead, and yet not seeing where that will lead. At peace, despite living on less and consuming less than I ever have previously (in terms of consumer goods, still getting plenty of food and shelter and other necessities) :). At peace, despite all the imperfections of life and relationships in my immediate sphere. At peace, despite all the brokenness and suffering of so many, including those outside my immediate sphere. I am more at rest in general, and hope this is just the beginning of a trend in my life that continues to deepen.

What are you doing?

Right now I'm visiting my family in NW Montana. Beautiful country. Majestic mountains, placid lakes, and clean air with the smell of pine trees and the onset of spring. I've been staying part of the time with my parents, and part of the time with my sister and two nieces. I think I scored huge auntie points having talked my sister into letting me put hi-lights in my niece's hair. And all my family members scored big points with me by spending lots of time playing with my busy 18 month old daughter, giving me a bit of a break! (But I miss my husband, who is still in Uganda! Just one more week apart!)

What are you learning?

I'm learning to lengthen the measure of grace that I'm willing to extend. I'm learning to fully accept people, just exactly as they are. I'm learning that I'll get as much grace as I give, and that love transforms the atmosphere. And I'm learning to become a better listener.

What are you dreaming about?

This one feels the most vulnerable to write about because it's such a deeply personal question, and I'm going to try to answer as honestly as I can without sounding... I don't know...

I'm dreaming about helping those who could really, really use it. Battered women trying to find a safe place to raise their children free from domestic violence, or trafficked women and children that are bought and sold as slaves, or orphaned children without educational opportunities, or street kids like the ones I saw in Russia - turned out because of poverty and/or alcoholism. There's so much need, I dream and fantasize about meeting some of those needs. I dream about resourcing people, especially really wounded and battered people. The ones who've been treated as 'throw-aways'.

Here's the other participants:
Alan Knox
Jane
Jeff
Mike
Erin
Lyn
Former Leader
Kathy Escobar
Heidi
Jeromy