Monday, May 07, 2007

Sunday Meeting Potluck

Okay, I snuck a quick picture, just as church was starting, of the three boys on my church bench. I have to say, that Sunday's meeting went really well....yay!!


This is the famous bridge. Well not really famous, but sort of to all of us who come to this church regularly. I'm sure some of you will recognize it. Isn't it a beautiful, little, quiet bridge?



The women were gallivanting around the kitchen, after church, preparing for the potluck. You see, in almost all of our assemblies we have potlucks on the first Sunday of the month. We decided to travel down to a fellow church, and therefore ended up at Marshall and Connie's for the supper, after meeting.



Knowing that every church has its own system I kind of watched to see how it would come together. I asked what I could do to stay busy, and the sister's were kind of enough to keep me active doing small things here and there. I say kindly, because I think that its always nice when people include you and make you feel like you belong.



Den and I were one of the first families to arrive at Bro. Marshall and Sis. Connie's home. The other families all ran back to their homes to grab their food. So Connie and I visited while I filled up plastic cups with ice, and she put on her pork chops to fry. One by one, the families began to file in. I recognized all of them, of course. Not only did I grow up with them, but my parents were friends with their parents. A very close knit community indeed.



The aromas that were overtaking the kitchen were amazing. There was a turkey, pork chops, spaghetti with homemade meatballs, meatloaf, tamale pie....I could realistically go on for quite a while, but instead I will skip to the desserts where homemade pies, cookies and cakes were set out. The children would discuss what they would have on their plates as they wondered through the kitchen, to head outside.



The children outnumbered the adults, as they played in the yard, on the huge fort, with a slide and trampoline. Here is the beautiful thing about what I saw, though. To be honest, this wasn't a rarity, but somehow stepping into a different assembly, one that you don't live in, opens your eyes a bit wider. As the children were piling on the trampoline, (breaking the two person per trampoline rule), mothers would gather to the window and chastise the children. They weren't only getting on to their brood, but to all the children as a whole. It was only done with love, but with firm authority. I stood back to see if any of the other mothers were going to be upset, but none even gave it a second thought. Even if their own child's name had been singled out. I admired the love and respect, and I guess complete faith that no word or deed would be given out unfairly or harshly.



After the blessing had been offered, all the children and men began to gather around the island of food. A sister, that had delivered one of my babies, came to me and asked me if she could take Roman outside for a bit, while I prepared my younger boys' plates. I smiled thankfully, and handed Roman over. Wondering, briefly, if he would go to her, and yes indeed he did. Therefore it left me free to prepare the plates. As soon as dinner was ready to be fed to Roman I retrieved him, and again thought of the warmth I felt. It takes an extra effort for someone to reach out and make you and your children feel at home.



We stayed a bit longer, and than had to get on back. After all, it was an hour and half journey on the Interstate. The boys all had a great time, and I took away some good food for thought on how to entreat those who come to my part.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very touching

Tiffany

Anonymous said...

That is sooo sweet Trina! I'm glad you went to visit. Hopefully someday you will make the same trek to see Dave and Dayna! LOL

Mrs.Martin said...

I love the pic of that bridge! Good memories...

What a wonderful day Trina.

Angel said...

I love how your church does things, and how you refer to your services as "meeting". It sounds so quaint and 'homey,' does that make sense? Makes feel like I'd be welcomed right in!

Cherrie said...

You make me wish I was there to join on in. By the way I love feeling like I can treat all kids as my own. Usually when you instruct a child it is for there own good. I hope people feel that way with my kids. As long as it is with love.

Lori said...

What a peaceful, warm day! Reminds me a good 'ole southern gathering! :-)

Sis. Lori P. said...

Okay, it's official Trina, you and yours are invited to our assembly this coming weekend. We're having church dinner! We also are having visiting brethren from one of the Idaho churches! Come on down!

la bellina mammina said...

Sounds like you had a good day. Can almost smell the aroma in the kitchen...*sigh*...

Michelle said...

Sounds like ya'll had a wonderful day! All this talk about food is making me hungry :o)
I think that is so great how ya'll work together not only to prepare the meal but watch over the children.
Oh, I was wanting to ask you how you like Created to be his helpmeet? I have thought about getting this book several times. But because I have heard some bad things about it ~ I wanted to find out from someone I know and trust what they thought ~ You can email me if you'd like
Michelle

Michelle said...

Heehee! NEver mind ~ I just went and reread your post about the book and saw you liked it :o)
That's what I get for reading quickly!
~Hugs~
Michelle

meNmykids said...

Love the bridge! Would have loved to be there to boss your kids! Just kidding, I'm sure you'd have to do more watching of mine, I've got a whole herd. I love beautiful days like that.