I picked Malachai up from school this morning and was singing with him a song he had learned in his English class - -"Hello children, hello Robby". . .
"no, Mama," he corrected me, "it's not children, it's cheemrem!"

I had an interesting conversation yesterday while I was waiting to pick Malachai up from class; the two ladies I was chatting with were lamenting the new gang activity in our city. "it didn't used to be this way" they sighed - - "what is happening to our society?"

Reflecting over our conversation, I realized that often, violence becomes the predominant "virtuous vs. gone to pot" societal gauge that blinds us to other more subtle evils; what about selfishness and greed? what about the pride and envy that dominate our lives, families, and communities?

I think that this conversation will pop up again; I think I will try to turn the conversation towards the need to reflect on the evils that characterize us (the "non-violent")

a French basket, on a French bicycle, in a French alley-way

Joshua had to go to Marseille last week for a conference; he took me to France with him and dropped me and the boys off in Toulouse with Emilie Gibbons - - a fantastic, fun, creative, wise, veteran missionary; I had a tremendous time with her! I kept her busy answering every question I could conjure up about life, kids, ministry, recipes, etc . . .

Malachai came home saying "oh -la-la! . . ."

veteran missionary + novice missionary

Rachel took this picture of Malachai and his friend Raquel under the ping-pong table at our church retreat last weekend; it makes me happy.

at our park

at our park
Originally uploaded by naomi in spain.

malachai looks like he´s posing to be painted

I have been thinking a lot about community lately - - about what exactly the church is, and how it should function, about how we, I should fulfil what Christ intends for his body - - his family, about how the relationships we have within the church are so delightful and good and attractive even to the unbelieving world around us.

anyways, the conversations we have had about this with our Pamplona city team, the dialogue I have had with Joshua, and the time I have spent thinking and praying have all been rich and challenging and stimulating, and can't really be communicated in a small paragraph. Two things I will share, though
1. I feel excited about examining what I do and evaluating whether I am fostering a home that is a pure, vibrant venue that will help to fulfill Christ's desires for his community. Is my home a small picture of what God wants his church to be? am I loving my husband and children? am I speaking kindly to them? are we patient and forgiving? Do we encourage those things in those who come into our home?
2. I am challenged to be creative in thinking of ways to expose unbelievers to the beautiful, exciting community of Christ. What ways will the world see our love for one another and therefore know we are Christians? How do I invite them in?