Omerha

Once again, God has out-done himself!
I drove into Omaha Nebraska a little anxious. I was to stay with Elli and Caleb, a young couple I had met at a Christmas party while I was home. Elli is the older sister of a dear friend of mine, so she felt a little like family and we had totally connected at the party, but we had only chatted for a half hour or so (and I was tipsy). What if she liked tipsy Kate better? What if 30 minute spurts were the key and thus having me all weekend would drive them crazy? Plus I was also just kinda curious, what the heck is there to do in Omaha Nebraska?!? the only other time I had been around that area was about 12 years ago for a family reunion in Lincoln (a snooze to say the least!).

But as I walked into their warm, vibrant home (like a pintrest page..or an anthropology magazine) I knew God had more to offer me. Elli wasn't home when I got there, but she told me to just go on in and get comfortable, so I sat on the futon and opened a book....which turned into a nap. I woke up warm, cheeks pink....sooo rested! I opened the bedroom door to find Elli scurrying around the kitchen and we just shared a long embrace. At that point I was ready to sign a lease...can I just stay forever!!! I don't know what it was, what it is...being in her presence is like drawing in a deep breathe after it's rained...clear, clean, smooth, refreshing. ANYWAYS, sat and talked for hours before realizing it was dinner time. We warmed up some soup and Caleb joined us. He's also a gem. He's studying to be a doctor...and if you've read older blogs or know me, you know I have my own unique medical history and so it was fun to talk about it with him, have him or I ask questions back and forth. In fact, it was kinda healing. The more I talk about all that stuff, especially when its not a loaded conversation where someone's crying, but just talking about it and recognizing it as a reality, the more I am able to separate myself from the grip that it often has on me.

The next day I slept in but got up and started gettin ready to head out and see the sites. I opened my door to a note Elli had left (she had to work til later that afternoon so was gone) at the end it said, "hope you have a restful day" and I thought, huh....rest! ya that sounds nice. So I got back in my jammies, made a cup of tea and curled up with a book. When Elli got back we went to a great little coffee shop downtown, where she witnessed my second melt down, haha! I've said this before but I often have all these feelings swirling around my heart and can never quite articulate them...crying is often the closest expression I can get. I was just so stinkin grateful to have her around and didn't know how to say it. Anyways, we got home and her and Caleb had an event to go to so we spent some time doin that 'girls will be girls' stuff...paintin nails, trying different lipsticks, comparing earring choices, curling hair (probably the single greatest part of being female...well that and being able to bring new life into the world...but its a close race!) When they got back we cuddled up on the couch with popcorn and watched Thor (so wish I had a snapshot of that!)

The next morning we went to church. (Forgot to mention, Elli and Caleb live in a very urban setting in N. Omaha, definitely considered the rough part of town). Anyways, I walked in and kinda welled with tears. THE COOLEST illustration of what I feel the church should look like. It was diverse in race, gender, generation, socio-economic status....EVERYTHING! Do they do everything perfect...I don't know, but probably not. But I know that I will carry their model with me as I move forward. It will be my prayer for most places and spaces that I encounter, that It look more and more like this church. (the Bridge!) AND THEN, we were invited to the pastors home afterward for lunch. He and his wife are BEAUTIFUL (like annoyingly so, haha!) I was kinda expecting that they were boring and dull or maybe even mean...I mean you can't be as stunning as they are and as spiritually sound AND be cool....but nope, I was wrong, apparently you can. They are some of the most genuine people I've met. (I mean, he pastors a church, so you'd hope that to be true but funny how rare that actually is!) It made me wish I was a millionaire and could just leave them with stacks of cash (knowing they'd put it to good use!)

Amidst a trip and travels that often lead me to dark places and discouraging realities, it was so nice to leave Omaha feeling rested, restored and encouraged. Elli, Caleb, their home, their community, their church...thank you! Thank you for reminding me that yes, there is a shit ton wrong in this world...but ya know, there's also so much right.