I like you for your cookies...and more.

I keep saying this but....I could do a whole blog about The Bakery. And possibly one day I will. But in the meantime I like to relate a post or two or ten about the really sweet moments on my special Saturdays. Today I want to emphasize the REAL in really sweet.

I was planning to meet a friend there. And it was her first time at The Bakery. She reads my blog.

You know that feeling you have when someone meets your family for the first time? You love them to bits but you just hope your father doesn't answer the door in his boxers and undershirt? (I hope I'm not the only one who worried about that one).

Once I brought a friend and The Baker immediately joins us which is wonderful of course but then he proceeds with a graphic description of how he sliced off part of his finger earlier in the day. He's very descriptive and ebullient.

And really, I miss him if he's not there, so don't think I'm complaining! I'm just describing my own personality foible and fault that I have to think my guest is completely pleased with their experience since they are there on my say so.

So today when I wasn't sure if I was going to make it on time, I called to tell Mrs Baker that I was meeting a "newbie". After a short but meaningful pause, Mrs Baker said something like "...oh...you know Doug's here..."

That's why I like her. She always understands. I said that maybe I should tell people I "embellish" a little on the blog. Don't believe everything you read.

Now the other bit of info you need to know is that I have been craving gluten free peanut butter cookies all week. And he was baking some today! Yay!


So when we got there The Baker (aka Doug) immediately sits beside my friend Laura. The newbie. And I'm waiting for the boxers and t-shirt to appear, metaphorically speaking. Not that I'm complaining as I said. He's a raconteur and I enjoy his stories with gusto! I'm just thinking about the new girl. You know...I want to make her feel welcome.

I can't remember exactly how this conversation went but there was something about us being there to see him and then it was punctuated with The Baker yelling about everyone just liking him for his cookies. He went on and on for hours. (not really...it just seemed like it...) He said he had baked them with extra love today because they were for me. And now he felt used.

We all laughed. And I realize why I enjoy this place so much. There's some serious talks that happen here but there's also a little bit of silliness. And I don't think I've got enough of that in my life.

That's why I go to The Bakery. (Metaphorical) Boxers allowed.

In brokenness, love

Dr Danielle at 6 Year Med MD posted about a blog called Ali's African Adventure which is by a missionary nurse who works on a hospital ship off the coast of Africa.

Given all this, I was struck today at how normal the day was. I think I expect women who have lost babies and been terribly disfigured by burns to be somehow different. More sedate, more aware, in a way, of the cloud surrounding them. But apart from the small moments when they retreat into themselves, lost in worlds of pain I can only guess at, Marion and Bendu are you and I and any woman ever. They're maybe more broken, a little more shattered, but underneath the scars and shining through the tears, I can so clearly see their love.

I want to love like this.

Posted by Ali Wilks in brokenness, love at 23:06 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

Why DO I read blogs?

Every once in a while I do I post entitled "Why I read blogs" showing you, my blog friends, my favorite blogs. Usually they are heart warming or interesting posts. But today I am really wondering why I watched a grown man and three (adorable) children in Georgia trying to catch a cricket.



from....where else???....ragamuffin soul.

Absolutely riveting.

Amen Sister!

People at my church are not known for spontaneous "shout outs". Other than the liturgically appropriate prayers, responses and singing we stay pretty quiet. So it was surprising to see the woman of a senior age group who was sitting in front of me speak up after the homily. And if I had been part of certain traditions I definitely would have shouted something in agreement. Pardon me Father Tom, but that sermon "kicked butt".

Part of his words were about the reasons why people stop going to church. It's been on my mind lately. Numerous people tell me why they stopped going. I think I listen respectively and try to wish them well on their faith journey. Sometimes I try to state a few of the reasons I go to church. I'm willing to admit that I may come across a little too zealous. But I'm willing to risk it.

And the reason is this: nothing is going to separate me from the love of my God. Not the kind of car the priest drives. Or that people weren't friendly enough. Or that the church has too much money. Or because the parking lot was too full. Church is where I get filled. For me it's worth the effort. (And forgive me but I want that for you too.)

I love experiencing nature. I love my prayer time in private, reading The Word. All of that. But it's not the same as communing with God during the mass.

The Eucharist. Can't live without it.

I wish I could give you word for word what Father Tom said. I don't want to misquote him or risk taking his words out of context. Many were nodding in agreement as he spoke and at the moment he finished the woman in front of me said...

That was a good sermon!

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~~Romans 8:38-39

Holy Cupcakes Bakerman!

This blog title is a result of collaboration with Mrs. Baker. She inspires me on a regular basis.

I realize I talk about The Baker a lot. He feeds me. On a regular basis. You gotta love that.

But I haven't blogged much about the woman behind The Baker. I started calling her Mrs Baker, but she really has her own identity apart from being The Baker's wife. So for this post, she will be herself: Barb.
I really could do a whole blog about The Bakery. I visited a few times while I was off in the summer. It was the same as Saturday but different. The conversation was a little quicker and sharper on a Tuesday when they begin their week. I couldn't keep track. The Baker thought that was funny. I think he said something like "try to keep up ok!". I'm not a morning girl. I'm a Saturday afternoon gal!

But back to Barb. She's a great listener. She's very kind(even when people aren't so kind to her). She has beautiful handwriting. She keeps the orders organized and efficient. I've seen The Baker write orders on the side of a box. Let's just say they balance each other out, each bringing the skills needed to keep the bakery buzzing along smoothly. Barb knows what cookies, pies, and cakes belong to who. And she decorated those cakes too. One night there was 100 cupcakes to decorate!

Holy Cupcakes Bakerman!

Now originally I used a different "superhero" in that phrase. A superhero who shall remain nameless to protect me from copyright infringement. Barb added the Bakerman part. She has great ideas.

Years ago she had an idea that one long church pew would be ideal seating for The Bakery. It would go along the wall and the tables and chairs would sit in front. Frankly I couldn't see it. But guess what happened this summer?

Locals will know the church across the street from The Bakery was closed and sold. This was the church of Barb's family for years. Did I tell you she grew up just blocks from The Bakery? She is rooted in this community. Actually we grew up blocks from each other and only met because of The Bakery!

I wish I was there to take a picture of The Baker and Barb carrying that double pew across the street. I was there to see them bring it into The Bakery at closing time on Saturday. It had to be at least 12 feet long, maybe 14 feet. There was about 6 or 7 people pushing and lifting that solid oak pew longways, up and over the cookie displays. At one point "Bob" decided the cookies were in danger and began eating them while shouting "Save the cookies!" "Bob" gets silly but we just ignore him.

Every time I've been in since that day I've looked at that pew in a special way, remembering Barb's vision. She imagined that it would change the way people conversed because they would be closer and connected like everyone was at one table along the wall. Let me say again, I didn't understand how a pew would do that. But it has.

With the old configuration sometimes people were back to back and only 4 people could be at a table at once. Now we are all facing each other. It's totally amazing to share all our conversations.

So on Saturday I was part of a group of women who just all happened to be there, talking about nothing and everything, like we do. These particular women had never been at The Bakery all together. Some of us had seen some of us before. But none of us had known all of us. By closing time we were planning a night out for dinner. Not at The Bakery. Out in the world.

Actually only one of us had known all of us and that was Barb. Barb with the vision. Barb with the ideas. Barb who knew what special kind of grace would come with one church pew.

The Baker talks about how in the 10 years since they opened The Bakery has become exactly what they wanted. It's not just about the food you are served. It's about connection, conversation and community. Together, Barb and The Baker made their vision a reality.

Discovery

Do you ever discover something or someone that others have known about for a long time?

My "discovery" is Matt Maher.

Apparently we've only been singing his music at church for...oh...YEARS....

And my daughter saw him at World Youth Day...oh...YEARS AGO....

He's new to me. And I love him. And he's Canadian. He lives in Arizona but that's ok. I would live in Arizona too if I could. He has a new album out this year. You can see the flashing thingy in my sidebar with his picture. And here he is....

Matt Maher - New Album Preview -

[via FoxyTunes / Matt Maher]

You gotta know where to go.

I almost always connect with Betty in some way at church. Sometimes it's a greeting at the door or the sign of peace during mass. She hugs me and says "Peace be with you dear heart." She's a retired school teacher and co-ordinates the senior ministry. I don't know much else about her.

She's very tall, has beautiful white hair and walks fast making sure everything is running smoothly. When my arthritis was at it's worst and I could hardly make it into the church, she would make sure communion was brought to the back for me. And when the rehab started to work its magic (along with a gluten free diet) and I finally walked up to the front for the first time in a year, Betty was the first one to run to congratulate me with a big hug. "I saw you walking!"

I nearly cried. And she excitedly noticed that the scripture reading was about the woman who touched Jesus' coat because she thought that even that touch would heal her illness. Jesus felt that faith and said her faith will make her well.

Yes. I had noticed too. I heard the words and understood the connection.

I like Betty. A lot.

Tonight as we were walking out of church she told me how she had felt terrible all day and listed all her symptoms. Basically everything ached. But now she felt great. Like she could run a race!
She said

"You gotta know where to go...those doctors don't know everything!"

Yes, I agreed.

You gotta know where to go.

Meltdown.

It happens.

You bear the stress for so long. And maybe you deny it. You say you're fine, but you're not fine. You look for the good. But you're just a little bit tired.

And then it happens.

The pot boils over. The damm breaks. The pot calls the kettle black...or something...I can't think of any more metaphors.

Yea. It happens.

And tomorrow is another day. To watch the sunrise and start again. And that's not a metaphor, it's a real new beginning.

Thank God.

Archnakam...come back!

One of the surprises of blogging has been the people that find me through random google searches and referrals. Some people stay for mere seconds, clicking in and out and others stay to read a few pages and leave a comment. One of these was Archnakam, who left a kind comment on the post asking for prayers for Rob while he was in CCU.

How does a 24 year old have a heart attack anyway???. He is recovering and hopefully soon will go home. Your prayers, positive words, calls and emails kept us all going strong. Thank you. I couldn't have done it without you.

Archnakam has a blog profile(click here to view) but I can not locate an actual blog. This is part of the info from my stats counter:

Location

Continent : Asia Country : India (Facts) State/Region : Karnataka City : Bangalore Lat/Long : 12.9833, 77.5833 (Map)

Her profile indicates she is a housewife from Bangalore India. And it includes these words:

So, I start this blog on a hopeful note. Writing and reading makes me feel better. I love the sound of the keys on the laptop and the look of the words on a page. I hope I will have something to say that makes people taking the time to read these words imagine what life can be regardless of what it is at the time. Like an ordinary human being i m also... A blessing to this earth A person of substance, who can make others feel her presence. A person who learns from each day, who has courage, who has hope for each tomorrow. A person having a yearning desire, to get more and more knowledge from the ocean of wisdom. Oh! This earth Bless Me more Each day !

These words touched me deeply at a moment of great uncertainty. I was depending on my faith, calling for prayers....on the anniversary of my husbands death, while we waited to hear news of Rob's condition....I wondered how?...why?...

And Archnakam came with words. Transforming words. I want to thank her. But Blogger does not give me her email. I have only her IP address. I hope she reads this and comes back. Her words gave me courage and hope. They speak for me. They speak to me.

Thank you Archnakam, thank you.

PRAY PLEASE!

For a young 24 year old man very close to our hearts who is in CCU.