![]() One of the questions I’m most frequently asked is about our decision to host our open porch weekly: “How do you do it, EVERY WEEK? Isn’t it exhausting to have your house “guest ready” that often?” This is such a great question, and one with a complex answer. Of course, yes, in some ways it is exhausting. I won’t pretend there’s not hard work involved in prepping large meals, and making sure we’re well stocked on toilet paper, plates, cups, etc. And certainly, there’s always a substantial amount of clean-up involved, either that evening or the following morning. But Ennie and I, (and now our kids) have discovered that the work is truly worth it. It’s worth the couple of hours necessary to prepare our home to receive our guests every week, and clean up after them when they’ve gone home -- because we are honestly, so blessed by their presence each week. It’s like most disciplines in following Jesus. They always seem difficult at first, but once you are doing it, they become a gift and a joy. In addition to the work being worth it, my idea of what “guest ready” is, has evolved dramatically. I say this because early on in our marriage, I remember preparing for an event (a baby shower, I think) that was to take place in our home. I took an entire week to make sure that every part of my house would be gleaming. My oldest children were small then, but I practically ignored them in order to focus on preparing my home to have guests. I went so far as to vacuum the front room meticulously just before my guests arrived, and then (this is so embarrassing) purposefully walked carefully over the vacuum lines with clean shoes so that my guests wouldn’t know I had just vacuumed. I wanted them to believe that my house was just always this perfectly spotless! THAT, is WEIRD. THAT is what I now call “living inside other people’s heads”, thinking so much about what others are thinking, that I’m no longer free to be me. In that instance, my house was guest ready, but my heart certainly was not. Thankfully, I’ve let that neurotic behavior go. Nowadays making my house “guest ready” is certainly not perfection, but it has its roots in respect. Out of respect for our guests we make sure our house is neat and tidy. Out of respect for our guests we try to hang a clean hand-towel in the bathroom, for example. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t pulled directly out of the dryer, or that there aren’t three loads of dirty laundry waiting to be cycled through behind it. Out of respect for ourselves we’re willing to be vulnerable and let our guests recognize that human beings live here, and that life with seven children can be messy, and even so, that they are invited into that reality. Imperfections and “mistakes” in hospitality are sometimes the best parts of our open porch, because life IS truly messy, it’s imperfect, and when others are invited into that reality, they are somehow more free to be themselves, vulnerable and real. We were created for community, and before we make our house “guest ready” we must make our hearts “guest ready”. When we are willing to make room in our hearts for people, neighbors, friends, enemies, hospitality takes on new meaning. Community is built in vulnerability and presence to one another. We can vacuum all we want, but unless we are willing to share ourselves, our true selves, we will never find true community.
33 Comments
9/2/2019 08:33:52 pm
I want to be honest and to be honest is to admit the difficulty of keeping the house clean. The people inside the house should keep the house clean so that it will make us all proud if there are unexpected guests that will visit us. The public can find some tips in the blog and it will give us some ideas that are necessary for that change. A change that is not easy at first, but it will be worth it. I will promise that every dirt and trash will be managed well and my home will be the cleanest place in my town.
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Amelia
5/1/2021 06:08:20 pm
Hi, good day everyone!
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micheal pan
11/9/2020 12:08:52 am
I just want the whole world to know about this spell caster I met
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Amelia
5/1/2021 06:08:56 pm
Hi, good day everyone!
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brooke cross
5/5/2021 02:25:00 pm
POWERFUL SPELL CASTER THAT BROUGHT MY EX HUSBAND BACK INTO MY LIFE AFTER HE LEFT ME EMAIL HIM VIA EMAIL WICCALOVESPELLTOOLS@GMAIL.COM OR WICCALOVESPELLTOOLS@YAHOO.COM ADD HIM ON WHATSAPP +19085174108
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Caillo Lisa
6/3/2021 08:55:52 pm
This is another testimony on how Chief Dr Lucky cured my HIV disease. Do you need a cure for your HIV disease? Do you want to be cured from your cancer disease? Or you want to be free from any type of disease. Kindly visit his website https://chiefdrluckyherbaltherapy.wordpress.com/ , he just cured my HIV disease and I’m very grateful to him, he is the only herbalist that can cure you.
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lisa
6/7/2021 02:37:51 pm
Are you having issues in your relationship, or finding it difficult to have a child of your own or are you the type having any diseases in your body. I will advice you to contact Dr. Abolo of Abolospell@gmail.com . The potency of his spell is so effective and can reunite broken relationship and can also make one get pregnant know matter the situation and not only that, he also has the power to cure all type of diseases within the period of 48hours.. Contact him today and thank me later.
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jasmine robert
7/5/2021 04:37:57 pm
MOST POWERFUL LOVE SPELL CASTER ONLINE
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Eliza Ramos
7/10/2021 11:52:51 am
Are you facing difficulty in your matrimonial home? contact Dr Ajayi today for a lasting solution, do not be ashamed to share your problems because problem shared is already halfway solved, so i urge you to reach Dr Ajayi the spiritual man on Whatsapp / Viber: +2347084887094, He helped me to get back my husband after 9 months of separation, I get to know about him through my cousin that he helped in getting a baby of her own after 12 years of marriage without a child, She said Dr Ajayi gave a herbal medicine that helped her to conceive and she bring to earth a healthy baby boy. If you are facing any challenge in life, spiritually or physically and want a quick solution, Dr Ajayi is your last stop.
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Felipe Dylan
7/10/2021 12:22:58 pm
To everyone out there who thinks love spells don't work, I’m here to tell you that Lord Zakuza love spell is the best and most powerful. I am a wealthy man who has lots of assets and possessions but I have difficulty with women. Whenever I try to settle down with any, we end up breaking up and I had no idea of why I was going through such an experience in my relationship. It was so worrying that I couldn’t be myself anymore and I started searching for help everywhere even at my place of work. I was going through my work activities online and I came across a testimony of a lady called ( Febe Anouk ) regarding how Lord Zakuza helped her to restore her relationship with his love spell, I had to give it a try because I needed my Ex lover back that I love so much. I visited Lord Zakuza website online and I told him everything I was going through. Lord Zakuza consoled me and promised to help me out with my situation by preparing a love spell for me. I followed the instructions given by him to me and within 48 hours, my Ex lover came looking for me and pleaded for forgiveness. Since I came in contact with Lord Zakuza, things have changed for good in my life and right now, I am married with two beautiful kids and my home is blessed. All thanks to Lord Zakuza I am forever thankful to you. Visit his website for any help via lordzakuzaspells.com or WhatsApp him on +1 740-573-9483. Try him and your life will be blessed.
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liliana moore
7/21/2021 01:08:53 am
REAL AND EFFECTIVE LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING BACK EX LOVER URGENTLY
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Susan Christian
8/13/2021 08:54:09 am
Hello to everyone out here, I am here to share the unexpected miracle that happened to me … My name is Susan Christian , I live in London, UK. we got married for more than 9 years and have gotten two kids. thing were going well with us and we are always happy. until one day my husband started to behave in a way i could not understand, i was very confused by the way he treat me and the kids. later that month he did not come home again and he called me that he want a divorce, i asked him what have i done wrong to deserve this from him, all he was saying is that he want a divorce that he hate me and do not want to see me again in his life, i was mad and also frustrated do not know what to do, i was sick for more than 2 weeks because of the divorce. i love him so much he was everything to me without him my life is incomplete. i told my sister and she told me to contact a spell caster, i never believe in all this spell casting of a thing. i just want to try if something will come out of it. i contacted Dr Emu for the return of my husband to me, they told me that my husband have been taken by another woman, that she cast a spell on him that is why he hate me and also want us to divorce. then they told me that they have to cast a spell on him that will make him return to me and the kids, they casted the spell and after 24 hours my husband called me and he told me that i should forgive him, he started to apologize on phone and said that he still love me that he did not know what happen to him that he left me. it was the spell that Dr Emu casted on him that make him come back to me today, me and my family are now happy again today. thank you Dr Emu for what you have done for me i would have been nothing today if not for your great spell. i want you my friends who are passing through all this kind of love problem of getting back their husband, wife , or ex boyfriend and girlfriend to contact Dr Emu , if you need his help you can contact him through his private mail: emutemple@gmail.com or you can contact him through his website https://emutemple.wordpress.com/ fb page Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341 and you will see that your problem will be solved without any delay.
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I am by name. Kristen Cherney
11/2/2021 01:27:41 am
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Liliana Moore
11/2/2021 09:47:11 pm
REAL AND EFFECTIVE LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING BACK EX LOVER URGENTLY
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Ann M Kelley
11/28/2021 02:05:31 pm
Am here to share a testimony on how Dr Jumba helped me. After a 1/5 year relationship with my boyfriend, he changed suddenly and stopped contacting me regularly, he would come up with excuses of not seeing me all the time. He stopped answering my calls and my sms and he stopped seeing me regularly. I then started catching him with different girls several times but every time he would say that he loved me and that he needed some time to think about our relationship. But I couldn’t stop thinking about him so I decided to go online and I saw so many good talks about this spell caster called Dr Jumba and I contacted him and explained my problems to him. He cast a love spell for me which I use and after 24 hours, my boyfriend came back to me and started contacting me regularly and we moved in together after a few months and he was more open to me than before and he started spending more time with me than his friends. We eventually got married and we have been married happily for 3 years with a son. Ever since Dr Jumba helped me, my partner is very stable, faithful and closer to me than before. You can also contact this spell caster and get your relationship fixed Email: wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com or wiccalovespelltools@yahoo.com see more reviews about him on his website: https://drjumbaspellhome.wordpress.com WhatsApp: +1 (908) 517-4108
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Jolena Martins
12/10/2021 06:23:01 pm
ONLINE MOST POWERFUL LOVE SPELL CASTER DR JUMBA +19085174108
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Sharon Wayne
12/21/2021 11:57:41 pm
I want to thank Dr Emu a very powerful spell caster who help me to bring my husband back to me, few month ago i have a serious problem with my husband, to the extend that he left the house, and he started dating another woman and he stayed with the woman, i tried all i can to bring him back, but all my effort was useless until the day my friend came to my house and i told her every thing that had happened between me and my husband, then she told me of a powerful spell caster who help her when she was in the same problem I then contact Dr Emu and told him every thing and he told me not to worry my self again that my husband will come back to me after he has cast a spell on him, i thought it was a joke, after he had finish casting the spell, he told me that he had just finish casting the spell, to my greatest surprise within 48 hours, my husband really came back begging me to forgive him, if you need his help you can contact him with via email: Emutemple@gmail.com or add him up on his whatsapp +2347012841542 is willing to help any body that need his help. Facebook page Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341
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Amanda Joe
1/29/2022 01:43:31 pm
Hello everyone . After being in a relationship for years my husband broke up with me, I did everything possible to bring him back but all was in vain, wanted him back by all means possible because of the love I have for him, I made promises but he refused. I was in pains and called my best friend explained my problem to my her and she suggested that I should contact Dr Jumba that his spell never fail the he will help me cast a spell to bring h back Husband, I was once the type that never believed in spell until Dr Jumba prove his powers to me and showed me wonders . I contacted Dr Jumba, and he told me that there was no problem, that everything will be okay , that my Husband will return to me once he's done casting the spell , surprisingly on the second day, it was about 4 p. m. My ex called me, I was so surprised, and answered the call and all he said was that he was sorry for everything that happened, that he wanted us to put our differences outside , that he loves me so much. I was so happy . That was how we started living together happily again. If you have relationship problems, I recommend Dr Jumba, he is the best, TESTED AND TRUSTED SPELL CASTER as the only real and powerful spell caster online , that helped me with my own problem. His email: wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com or whatsapp +19085174108 if you need his assistance in your relationship or in any other cases you can check out his website to know more about Dr Jumba : https://drjumbaspellhome.wordpress.com
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Richard Wahl
2/2/2022 02:01:04 pm
CONTACT THE BEST LOTTERY SPELL CASTER FOR THE RIGHT LOTTERY NUMBERS NOW HIS LOTTERY SPELL IS 100% GUARANTEE
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vanny carl
2/10/2022 08:30:05 pm
Most people get into a marriage with high and full spirits. They know full well what they are getting into and accept this with an open heart. While you may say that there is a lot of hype in marriages especially on the days leading up to the wedding day, it can get a bit frustrating to have a misunderstanding in your relationship. I have been through hell with my husband for a very long time. With the help of the great spell caster, I was able to resolve my marriage issue and now I finally find happiness in my marriage. For anyone going through any kind of relationship issue or you like to get back with your ex, I will suggest getting in touch with the best relationship advice specialist that will bring happiness back into your home. You can get in touch with The Great Dr.Jumba relationship and affair advisor on WhatsApp: + 1 (908) 517-4108 or wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com . He is always ready to help people and bring back happiness into your life.
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Kimberly Becker
3/21/2022 09:44:07 am
My fiance broke up with me last week i was so sad I changed completely, I wasn't eating and i wasn't talking to anybody, I cried a lot,I was so depressed and stressed out that I was scared I'm going to end up in the hospital because of all the stress and depression until one day i search online on getting love tips because I Love & care about him deeply and I just want us to be together as a couple again and I want us to last forever then i found a powerful spell caster Called Dr. Mkuru that he solved so many relationship problem...... so i contacted him and explain every thing to him, then Dr. Mkuru told me he will come back to me between 17hrs after he cast spell on him never believe it until my fiance called me on the phone and told me he want us to come back and live happily together forever , Am so happy now that Dr. Mkuru help me bring my fiance back to me. Thanks so much Dr. Mkuru he can also help you... His 100% guaranteed, Email him at [dr.baba.mkurulovespellcaster@gmail.com] you can Visit his website; https://Drmkuruspellcaster.com WhatsApp +2349075998982
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4/7/2022 08:45:31 am
What a powerful spell caster, all my life i have never seen a powerful man like Dr Graceondu, i have been playing lottery game for years now and i have never won any reasonable amount of money i was just checking things online and i stumble on a testimony about Dr Graceondu on how he helped someone with a lottery game and the person won a very big amount of money at first i never believed in the fairy tails but i just decided to give it a try, so i contacted Dr Graceondu, and he told me what i need to do, so i did what he asked me to do, the next day in the morning he sent me some lottery number to play so played the game, to my greatest surprise i won a very big amount of money £5,162,779million i was shocked i couldn’t close my mount because it was a life transformation for me, i just want the whole world to help me thank Dr Graceondu for transforming my life i promised him i was going to tell the whole world about him, you can also contact him if you need his help too.
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Florence Jackie
4/28/2022 08:29:24 pm
I was absolutely desperate to get my husband back. Life without my husband was a real mess for me and my children. I wanted a dramatic change and I thought a love spell could be the solution. After discussing the resolution with Him, he gave me hope that he will restore my marriage. I felt confident that he would actually make my husband return home and he did! It’s fantastic what this great spell caster has done for me, his help is priceless! I don’t know what I would have done without his help, He does his job so well he is organized and highly functional, i believe he is the best service to use i can count on when it comes to restoring relationship, I was floored that his worked was perfect, if you need help, wiccalovespelltools@gmail.com or his website and facebook page https://drjumbaspellhome.wordpress.com , https://www.facebook.com/Wicca-spell-tools-102869698481356
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6/9/2022 06:46:10 am
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SCOTT WYCOFF
6/17/2022 12:33:55 pm
Hi, did you know there are spells to win love back from an ex. I have done it. I love reading about relationships and how to make them work, how to better the relationship, and how to keep the spark alive, even how to talk to them a certain way to get them to think a different way about the situation and you. If you need advice or want to win your ex back, try DR EMU copy and message on the following ( Email: emutemple@gmail.com ) or ( WhatsApp: +2347012841542 ) It will change your mentality and get you what you want. Facebook page Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple- 104891335203341
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10/30/2022 01:43:10 am
Course picture believe real. Claim hair price.
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Isabella Lucas
11/6/2022 11:22:58 am
My ex-husband and I had always managed to stay friendly after our divorce in February 2017. But I always wanted to get back together with him, All it took was a visit to this spell casters website last December, because my dream was to start a new year with my husband, and live happily with him.. This spell caster requested a specific love spell for me and my husband, and I accepted it. And this powerful spell caster began to work his magic. And 48 hours after this spell caster worked for me, my husband called me back for us to be together again, and he was remorseful for all his wrong deeds. My spell is working because guess what: My “husband” is back and we are making preparations on how to go to court and withdraw our divorce papers ASAP. This is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you Dr Emu for your powerful spells. Words are not enough.
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susan raymond
6/22/2023 04:35:33 am
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susan raymond
6/22/2023 04:35:14 am
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Mavis Wanczyk
7/17/2023 05:25:31 pm
Being the winner of a multi-million dollar lottery certainly will be a life-changing event for almost every single lottery winner. My name is Mavis Wanczyk from Chicopee, Massachusetts, the famous PowerBall lottery winner of $758 million (£591m). I know many people would wonder how I had won the lottery. Would you believe me if I told you that I did it with spell casting? I met this famous spell caster known as Doctor Odunga and he was the one who did it for me. As shocking as it was to me, my famous comment to the press was “ I’m going to go and hide in my bed.” Never did I believe that Doctor Odunga made me wealthy overnight. If you want to have your chance of winning and becoming very wealthy just like me, contact Doctor Odunga at odungaspelltemple@gmail.com OR WHATS-APP HIM at +2348167159012 and you will be lucky. Thanks for reading and hope to see you at the top
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ashley walters
9/4/2023 06:09:35 am
My name is ashley walters !!! i am very grateful sharing this great testimonies with you all, The best thing that has ever happened in my life, is how I won the Powerball lottery. I do believe that someday i will win the Powerball lottery. Finally my dreams came through when i contacted Dr. OSE and tell him i needed the lottery winning special numbers cause i have come a long way spending money on ticket just to make sure i win. But i never knew that winning was so easy with the help of Dr. OSE, until the day i meant the spell caster testimony online, which a lot of people has talked about that he is very powerful and has great powers in casting lottery spell, so i decided to give it a try. I emailed Dr. OSE and he did a spell and gave me the winning lottery special numbers 62, and co-incidentally I have be playing this same number for the past 23years without any winning, But believe me when I play the special number 62 this time and the draws were out i was the mega winner because the special 62 matched all five white-ball numbers as well as the Powerball, in the April 4 drawing to win the $70 million jackpot prize...… Dr. OSE, truly you are the best, with Dr. OSE you can will millions of money through lottery. i am a living testimony and so very happy i meant him, and i will forever be grateful to him...… you can Email him for your own winning special lottery numbers now oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com OR WHATSAPP him +2348136482342
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Flora
9/11/2023 03:00:01 pm
My husband and I have been married for about 7 yrs now. We were happily married with two kids, a boy, and a girl. 3 months ago, I started to notice some strange behavior from him and a few weeks later I found out that my husband is seeing another Woman outside our marriage. He started coming home late from work, he hardly cares about me or the kids anymore, Sometimes he goes out and doesn't even come back home for about 2-3 days. I did all I could to rectify this problem but all to no avail. I became very worried and needed help. As I was browsing the Internet one day, I came across a website that suggested that Dr Victory can help solve marital problems, restore broken relationships, and so on. So, I felt I should give him a try. I contacted him and he did a spell for me. Three days later, my husband came to me and apologized for the wrongs he did and promised never to do it again. Ever since then, everything has returned to normal. My family is living together happily again. All thanks to Dr Victory. If you need a spell caster that can cast a spell that truly works, I suggest you contact him. He will not disappoint you. This is his contact address.
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lucia berlin
9/21/2023 07:02:47 am
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