So, to go along with Richard's calling and the fact that we need to get to know people in our new ward, and that is going slowly, I decided to redefine our family in some ways. I am rather shy by nature and tend to feel anxiety when it comes to doing something new, or meeting new people-ok the thought of inviting strangers into our home is a bit terrifying to me....or was. I have always wanted to be the kind of person who can be spur of the moment, someone who can reach out to others and no worry about what they will think. I dream of having an open door to the world(so I am going to trick people into thinking that is the kind of person I am, shhhhh, don't tell)! I talked it over with Richard. Our plan...
Each Sunday I will be making a large meal. Hopefully we will get the chance to share it, but if not, into the freezer the rest will go, no harm done. Today was our first attempt and it worked out great! Richard invited his assistant mission leader and his wife to dinner and guess what....THEY CAME!! I made a huge crock pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup and they came to eat with us and we had fun talking and getting to know them, they are a fabulous couple. The old me would have worried that the house wasn't clean enough, or the dishes didn't match, or that Joseph would be too loud and crazy, and what would they think? The new me says, who cares!?! Why let those feelings stand in the way of being the person I want to be! Richard has met some families that are not very active, they have stated they don't feel like they fit in or know people well enough. So they are on our list too! I refuse to feel lonely alone. And if I am not alone, then I won't be lonely! Makes sense, right? Anyway, I really like the idea of redefining who I am and how I want people to see me and this seems like the perfect time since no one really knows me very well yet.
We will also be having the missionaries over on a regular basis and what a blessing that will be. I love missionaries. I adore the fact that they are so committed to the gospel and that they truly love serving the Lord. I know that just having them over for dinner has such a great effect on our home. I am looking forward to getting to know them and using our home to help in any way we can.
Keeping My Promise
8 months ago
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3 comments:
I love this- I should try the dinner thing too. And you can totally let your true self out without being afraid of what others will think. They will have no choice but to love you. Because to know you is to love you.
The pretend thing worked for me. When I moved to Oregon I realized I could become anyone I wanted to be. I didn't want to be lonely, so even though it was uncomfortable, I invited a family over each Sunday for dinner too! I used to worry that my food was bad, or house was messy, or that I wouldn't know what to talk about, etc... but it always turned out to be fun. And no one knows now how shy and quiet I was/am.
Dad sent this thought out today-- thought it would go along nicely.
"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin,
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