Friends with a Farm

beautiful - all of it but especially that food and the bowls!! But really, the friendship that was formed and hospitality given. thanks for sharing.

Very timely, as we are having company tonight (a couple and their kids, we only know the man, not his wife or kids yet) and I came home from work yesterday stressed about getting the house ready, getting some groceries, etcetera since I work again today and they will come right after that.

But we're not trying to impress anyone with a perfect home or gourmet food, just build relationships, so thank you for your reminder of this, so beautifully written and of course the photos that tell their own story of beauty. (Again, I'll buy prints from you if you are willing to sell them!)

Also, I wondered if you'd met this farm family from your Blog - incredible isn't it? And that's how I hooked Damien up with my hubby at OR :) Your Blog is far-reaching and is the only one I check every day. Thanks for your beautiful photos and encouraging words!

I found your little blog on SouleMama... actually I was looking for the soap recipes...but clicked on your home tab and found this post. So timely, as I don't think things happen for chance... My husband and I have been building a ranch house for the last three years. For the first time, our entire family is coming to Thanksgiving at the Ranch. There are 12 of us (including two new little grandbabies)and I have been very worried about where to put everyone and fretting about the upstairs bathroom not being finished...(we have an outdoor shower and one small closet bathroom downstairs) But the draw to have everyone there to enjoy the weather, deer, turkeys, ect... was just too much to pass up. But the nerves were still going...until I read this post. I plan to just enjoy the moment with my family and friends this coming weekend and know that it will be time well spent. Thank you for the gentle reminder of how important living this life with hospitality and love. I think I will become a regular visitor here too.

Such encouraging words as we enter the holiday season. I have such a heart to open my home up to others but often shy away because of my desire to please others, afraid that my home isn't good enough (we live in a very small home often being renovated). I don't judge others when I go into their home, why do I think that they will in mine? It's unfortunate that doubt in our self-worth can get in the way of building edifying and meaningful relationships with others. Thank you for sharing your heart and thoughts!

Thanks for the awesome thoughts and reminders that hospitality is about opening our homes and hearts and building relationships with one another. It is not about perfection.

I regularly struggle with concern about hosting people in my home - especially when people come to stay over night...even family. We don't have a fancy home (although we live like kings compared to most the world!)or real guest bedroom (futon in sewing room). I do want things to be tidy and clean (enough) for people like I want for my own family but I always start to feel insecure about the thrifted covers/non-matchy dishes, etc. Fear of judgment, I guess. Recognition that many people do have pretty things and maybe choose to spend more $ on these things. Loved your fairly recent post on Outsideways about sharing meals with people/Quebec culture as it fits along these lines as well. I feel that as I learn to let go of these insecurities (little by little)and focus on enjoying the people, we enjoy the experience all the more, and I wonder if our guests do too b/c they sense that we are relaxed. I always pray that all who enter into our home would leave encouraged and refreshed. That, in addition to the pleasure of building relationships, would be my goal.

I've always been the type to have a small group of friends. Maybe one or two really close friends. This homeschooling thing has made me see the beauty in really reaching out and forging relationships with many people. It's been an eye opener for me. It's made me come out of my shell. I'm quite shy (or insecure) really.

I'm so glad we've become friends over the last few years. I'm hoping to get to know you more in the next few months!

xo

hi renee As often happens it feels like you were writing to me! I am very shy and insecure and have never invited many people to our home (our family of 4 lives in 650 sqft. Its not fancy and is in a state of constant fix ups so we can sell) now that my oldest is 3 she wants to invite friends over and ive had to extend invites more than ever. We dont have very much family at all close to us and im often sad about how few friends we have. This was a good wake up call, Friends wont appear unless we do the work of becoming friendly people!! thank you for the reminder, im sure ill be back to this to re-read!!!

ps- im looking fwd to the teleconference saturday but unsure as to how I will "get in" Ive never done one before and havent any idea!!! I did receive an email to sign into your cafe but that was as far as i got!!!

best wishes,

kelsey

thanks

Being one of your downunder readers I am looking forward to all the hospitality potential over Summer. We live in a tiny house and Summer helps when hosting people as children can play outside and we can eat outside. Being inside mean gatherings can become intense :) I agree whole heartedly with you about the importance of relationship far outweighing the discomfort over what kind of linen we have and where people will sleep. When I was a child very few people had spare rooms in their homes, when we stayed at friends my mum and 5 sisters all just slept in the hallway or on the floor somewhere. I remember that when I invite people to stay.

Renee, thanks for re-iterating the real meaning of hospitality! You're so right - the heart of it is what matters, not what we serve or the dishes we use...... thanks for the reminder~

The pastor of the spiritual community we belonged to during our years in Chicago would often welcome guests with a quick note, "We hope you feel welcomed here by our hospitality but we not perfect. Please, feel free to extend hospitality yourselves."

This has often been a benchmark for both Jake & I when we find ourselves in new environments, situations, communities. How can we, the guest, the new neighbor, extend hospitality to those who are familiar with the circumstance or people we are with.

Are we simply waiting to be invited or are we being asked to put ourselves out there. To embrace the awkwardness of what may come with a little bit of trust and a whole lot of possibility.

Thank you for this beautiful post. Both Jake & I so deeply enjoy reading both you and your husbands writings.

Renee, this post was just wonderful. Thank you so much.

Spoken beautifully and eloquently, as always, Renee.

Your post reminded me of the beauty of my blog reading - meeting a wonderful family which has turned into a beautiful friendship. I remember that first meeting and was very anxious about the whole day, but God orchestrated it perfectly. We had so much in common and the kids got along so peacefully. It's been such a joy building the friendship over the last year. Blessings, Michelle

Yes! My family heritage is that of French Canadian (one set of great-grands from Quebec!!) There is a rich history of family, friends and great food in my family and I am so very grateful for that. I have grandparents who had nine children (bless them!). Therefore, they often did not have much money, space, or fancy things. However, if you needed comfort, friendship, a hot cup of coffee, a meal or wanted to have a good time, their door was open! They are both in their middle seventies now and still live on a fixed income. If you ask them, they are rich. Wealth of family, friends, simple meals shared with those they love and respect is the measure of their riches. I aspire to be just like that.

This is downright inspiring and just what I needed, thank you.

I am moving in a few weeks (I've got boxes piled next to me as I type)! I use too many excuses for hospitality, but whenever I do it, I am blessed beyond measure.

I love the part about the small kitchen and large house and I love the part about making community with friends. I get those things. And I can get the part about no homeschoolers around and willing to drive so far. I hope there are some where I am moving that I can connect with.

Thank you for such a great post.

Perfect timing for me. 5 minutes ago my son said "why are you working so hard to make everything perfect for the visit".... then I read your post. It happened that quickly. Homeschool friends are traveling from California to Rhode Island to stay with us next week. Not just visit and stay in a hotel. Actually staying with us. This requires lots of details like extra pillows and blankets. And my biggest issue is cleaning. My house is always NEAT but never CLEAN. I am trying not to obsess and just do the basic levels of cleaning. I want them to feel at home, not like they are in a museum. But I want to be sure to welcome them to a comfortable environment. It's a fine line to walk. And it will be fine. And they will still like us no matter what.
Thanks for the reminder.