Something dishy

Today, we celebrated a friend's birthday together after church. I love my sweet friends. I'm incredibly sentimental (end of story, in life, in general, about everything, but especially now). I just think to myself, I love these people. It's so incredible to see my sweet friends grow. I had a conversation with one of my closest friends last week about some things on my heart that I felt the Lord desired me to chat with her a bit. I had encouragement from others, but I was the closest one to actually give voice to the thought. There was potential for a bit of awkwardness because it was a bit of an accountability chat. It had gone as smooth as one can hope those things go. I shy-ed away at first, but then realized that I can't be silent about things He desires to be included in refining process of 'making of disciples'. I'm here and that was hard and it was obedient. But being a part of the discipling process requires being obedient and I'm learning that it's not always easier either. But boy does He bless obedience. He does. Even if it doesn't look like what you thought the blessing would be. So the discipleship process. There is lots of room to be used of Him in that area when you're a part of someone's faith journey from the beginning, really if you're willing to be a part of someone's journey on any part. So many of you reading are a part of mine. So, I was really nervous this week post-conversation. Praying that my friend received it and that the Lord used the words He wanted and that nothing I said was of me. I didn't see her this week and she didn't return a text and missed our girls dinner night without explanation. The people here tend to be very prideful (I know aren't we all, but in general as a people group they are very proud), easily offended, and hold grudges. All of which lead to many individual hurtles that must be worked through by the Holy Spirit once He takes residence specifically in believers' lives we see here, sometimes more so than in other areas because of attitudes engrained from growing up in a culture. So, I worried a lot this week and then this morning when church started didn't see my friend. Had I been mistaken and overstepped my boundaries? Did I mishear the Lord and my support system here of people praying for me and my friend? Had I offended her and pushed her away by what I thought had been a very small effort on my part compared to what I could have said? (I tend to over-react). Much to my relief, I turned around during a song and met her smiling face. It was just such a sweet relief to see her sweet face ready to meet mine with a smile. We had a great day together and I was reminded that although, I know there's still obvious room to grow in the area we talked about, the Holy Spirit is still working and our friendship is still very much intact. And I can totally relate to that because I look at my life and think, there is still obvious room to grow in so many areas, but He's not done with me yet,... or my friend. All back to why today, I just had that overwhelming sense again of awe over Him saving my friends here in this dark place and working in their lives right in front of me (even using me at times when I'm always unworthy of it). I love these sweet people. I love that I'm a part of their journey and that they very much in turn are a part of mine.

So, today like I said, we went out for a friend's birthday and we ate at a local restaurant. One of my friends ate what happens to be her favorite dish at the restaurant. Mumbar. f.y.i.: Mumbar=stuffed sheep intestines. The stuffing is de-lish, but you have to get over the fact of what it's wrapped up in and that there's just an interesting texture, I'll leave it at that. I have never been offered before, but today I was offered and I decided that it was high time I tried something new. I know, it's been awhile, eh? I know people in Africa and people who live lives similar to Indiana Jones probably eat things way weirder than that like monkey brains, but this was a stretch for me. It looks like intestines sitting on the table. I'm a nurse, but I don't like to look at it sitting on my dinner table. It was actually very tasty, except for the moment before I swallowed when I had to work to control my gag reflex. I managed to swallow with a smile and impressed all at the table, including myself.