CONFETTI & COWBELLS… ALLELUIA!
This past semester of Fellows has had some really high highs and some low lows. It has felt like we have lived 5 lives in the past couple of months. But I would not trade it for the world! One thing that I have learned throughout Fellows is how to celebrate the highs!!!
In general, I LOVE SPRING TIME. It feels like the most magical time of the year coming out of the winter, like a breath of fresh air (minus the pollen, wink wink). Flowers blooming left and right, the warm weather, playing outside, sun showers, and so many birthday parties. Springtime just calls for celebration in my eyes. However, this year, I really sat in the season of Lent for the first time. I don't know about you, but Lent and celebration do not feel like they go together. It feels crazy that Lent is in a season where flowers are blooming and warm weather is back. But, reflecting on it, God knew exactly what He was doing. Lent is hard and not a light topic. But by appreciating the season of Lent, it has made celebration just that much sweeter! Let me let you in on one of the most awesome experiences I have experienced! I’ll paint you a picture; the night before Easter (approximately midnight), confetti, dancing, singing, jumping, cowbells, smiles, giggles, hugs, and post-eucharist milkshakes! THAT IS ALL FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS!!!! WHAT?!?!? I never want to live an Easter Eve again without celebrating Jesus that big!
The night before Easter was certainly a highlight of mine, but that is not the only way I have celebrated this semester. Here are some of my other celebration highlights of these past couple of months!
Living with the Heidengrens has been so special these past couple of months! Each one of my host brothers has had a birthday within the past 3 months, and it has been a privilege and joy to see a birthday party through the eyes of a 2, 4, and 6-year-old Each morning of their birthdays, Bri decorates the kitchen wall with something they love, and getting to watch them walk down the stairs and feel so loved and celebrated is soooo awesome!
One of my favorite days of Fellows was probably my birthday! One, I just love my birthday. And this year, I was celebrated big! I had a monochrome, pigtail, chalk party!! Everyone, adults and kids alike, came dressed in a monochrome outfit with pigtails; it was truly the best day ever!! I felt so loved and celebrated!!!
While working at Ward Black Law I have been spoiled soooo much! They are celebrating something just about every other week! They have taught me how to love my coworkers and welcome them like family. I have gotten to help with retirement parties, big-0 parties, and national days such as chicken wing day! Every month, Ward Black Law invites someone who is serving the community to join us for lunch. We have a big meal and get to hear about the ways they are making a difference! It has been so awesome and inspiring to be a part of! Similar to Ward Black Law, every Monday, Fellows have what we call “Faith at Work.” Someone comes in and speaks to us about their job and how they incorporate their faith. It has been so special to be a part of. Although this is not a huge party, it feels sweet to be welcomed into someone's life and get to ask questions and pray for them. It has felt like a celebration to me to get to see a small part of all that God has been doing in their lives and in our city!
Also on Mondays, we have dinner with Tammi and Eric Marohn! And let me tell you, Tammi and Eric know how to celebrate! They invite us over every week, and we eat, talk, and laugh every time we go! It feels like a small slice of a Thanksgiving feast every week!
These are only some of the ways we have gotten to celebrate these past couple of months. I get so excited to be able to take what I have learned by being a Greensboro Fellow and share that with others. That includes celebrating people big because the Lord has celebrated us first. I hope today and every day you feel so loved, seen, and celebrated!
HAGS & ttylxoxo,
Gayle Shear