Stories....

I love people.  Always have.  An extrovert for sure, I just love diving into the lives of other people and living life with them.   I can be a bit intense so I have to work hard not to overwhelm or scare people when I first meet them because I am so anxious to get to to know them.

Now there is a downside to all this, which I blogged about a couple weeks ago, and that's the pain when you say goodbye.  If I let myself thing about a few of my favorite people back in Minnesota I would be overcome with grief again. .. because I LOVE those people.   In fact, knowing that people will be worshipping without me today is a bit painful.   But it is my choice to make those people a part of my life now in different ways because I was the one who moved away.  So instead of crying because it's over I'm smiling because it happened and grateful that those people who were part of my daily life are now part of my current left from afar and make up the tapestry of who I am.

But one of the best parts of being in a new place is that there are now new people to meet with new stories to hear.  I just love hearing someones story.   There are so many things that make us who we are -- so many different parts of our story that contribute to the person we have become.   

So last night when we were invited over to dinner by our next door neighbors (relief house parents here) I was relishing again hearing the pieces of their lives that make them who they are.  Gradually a story is revealed that gives insight into who they are.  I so enjoy putting the pieces together.  And they, too, are hearing me talk and piecing together my story.

Recently Big Daddy Weave came out with a song and the first few lines sum up what I hope everyone  hears as I gradually unfold my story to them.

If I told you my story
You would hear hope that wouldn't let go
If I told you my story
You would hear love that never gave up.