Craving Community

I am coming to realize the depths of my deprivation of community living in the country. Many people fantasize about and truly love such a life; I had hoped to be one of them...I am not! And it is good to know about myself.

It is a breath of fresh air for me to live in a neighborhood again. I can bake cookies and bring them to my neighbors (not saying I have, but hey, I could!), I can offer my assistance to one of the many elderly widows on our street, and they remind me of the wisdom and love of old age--love that I have missed since my GG passed away. My son can yell out the window to his friends across the street and say hi to passersby as they walk.

I hurt my knee badly--tore my ACL, at one of the worst foreseeable times to do so. And the Lord is wrapping me in community. He is using it to care for me. For my kids. And for my spirit. And, I know that when I am back at it again, there are going to be places that I am needed to reciprocate. I am going to be an important part of my neighborhood, and I love that.

Thank you Jesus for walking with me, and showing me your care, even when things are a bit rough. Thank you for your provision. Thank you for my street, and my town, and my friends, new and old. You go before me always, and for that, I am forever grateful!

Blog Alert!

On the recommendation of my new friend Amber, I looked up this blog by the wife of one of the members of Selah. Her name is Angie Smith. My word; what a testament to the Lord and His preservation in sorrow and in joy.

Read on, but not without a big ole' box of tissues and some serious time to devote...can you tell it is the first day campers are at camp? It's going to be a late night, and I certainly found something to do!

Here is Audrey's legacy: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2008/01/beginning-of-story.html

God Bless Iowa!

Well, what can I say? It has been a very rough last few day's here in the Frank household. Not only have we been in the middle of moving for the 2nd time in as many months, and all that comes with that, the painting, the packing, decisions, and chaos, with 2 little ones craving a return to their routine, but summer camp is starting for Ben, which means the return of the 80 hour work week for him. And about two days ago, I fell down some slick stairs at camp, twisting my knee and blowing my ACL in my left knee--not fun folks, not fun! And I should know, as I blew the very same one in high school--uugh!

But there is a bright spot in all of this loveliness, and it has been what I termed the "Just Add Franks" community we are encountering. You know, sort of like the "Just Add Water" baking mixes that come together unexpectedly easily. We have had people who are just getting to know us offer all sorts of help. I have had 2 people watching our kids at various times and for appointments, and our new friends/landlords brought us 2 freezer meals and a scrumptious egg bake and beautiful fruit salad last night. Breakfast was fit for kings this morning, and it was so nice! There are more offers of help that I am going to have to accept as well, thankfully--even though it is kind of tough for me to do sometimes.

My mom mentioned that she had heard that Iowa was the best place to raise a child according to a host of variables, and from what I have seen so far, I would have to agree. Hopefully this mentality rubs off on me. :) Come to think of it, one of my closest friends in MN who could always be counted on for these type of things is originally from Iowa. Dependable, sincere, and sweet are the virtues I am encountering, and it is refreshing!

Thank you Lord and new friends for this provision, we need it!