9 July 2011

After waking up early to do laundry, I was very ready for our 11 o’clock brunch! There was a short time of family aerobics after lunch for anybody who wasn’t feeling too full to move! Soon after brunch, we did some work duties, all preparing the farm for tonight’s blessing of Awake Church. I was with the group that cleaned out the outdoors cook-shack. After about 45 minutes of intensive cleaning all over the place, we gathered back for more instructions. We also had to make a few more cards, because we had only just received a new list of names of people attending! Then we started setting things up – a BEAUTIFUL group of tables out under the lovely trees, with proper china plates, hanging lanterns, beautiful table-cloths etc. There was also lots of kitchen prep to be done, of course. After a quick shower, and supper of pizza, we headed out to our duties. Kim and I were in charge of welcoming people, and directing them to the guys who would show them where to park. We greeted them at the gate to the farm with a little note for each person – requesting them to leave behind all their cares and distractions at the gate, and prepare their hearts to be loved by the Father. It was fun standing out there, giving warm welcomes, and listening to the beautiful strains of music floating out to us from the little stage where some of our 18Inch family was providing some background music. After just over an hour of welcoming people in, we went up to join the party. People were already having a great time, getting drinks, standing around chatting, finding their seats and cards, listening to the music.

There was a team of servers moving about between tables, bringing food and drink re-fills. There was some beautiful music performed by Molly and Jake. There were amazing poems read by David and Jessie. As a family, we just loved the socks off that church family :o) A few of us were assigned to start on dishes about halfway through the evening, and even that was great – hanging out and doing chores with family. Even though it can be hard work, and you miss out on some of the party, those are really the times I love. That’s what makes me really feel at home. You know that you’re trusted to play your part to make the whole a success. And being asked to do “chores” is what happens in real family :o)

Jonathan Helser and Matt Peterson, pastor of Awake

Right at the end (but before the last major clean-up), we had a bit of a dance party (of course)! We celebrated the evening together, and had fun as a family. All in all, it was the most ridiculous success of an evening! People loved it so much! And you could see how much it meant to them. I love that things like this are just natural at the farm. That’s just how we love people – extravagantly! This is how I want to live my life.