(verb) to strengthen, build up, or promote
(adj) promoting or sustaining life, growth, or strength
Besides my main new year resolutions for 2013, I set 2 other goals each month to focus on. One of them for April is investing in nourishing relationships. To me, this means reserving my time, energy, and resources for relationships that restore not deplete, comfort not aggravate, uplift not drag down…because life is too short and too hard to spend with people who do the latter instead of the former.
Halfway through the week, I saw a beautiful article about the power good relationships and a strong community can have in our lives. I am grateful that the Lord has always cushioned the hardships/trials and elevated the triumphs/blessings in my life with tender mercies in the form of wonderful people who care.
“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion…and his tender mercies are over all his works.”(Psalms 145:8-9)Monday - recovered from roadtrip to Boston.
Tuesday – Andrea suggested we go to FroZenYo before Institute to catch up (aka girl talk). It was a beautiful day outside and we got to sit and talk in this equally beautiful park.
Wednesday – My cousin Georgette was in DC for a work event. She was one of the first new relatives I met when my Mom and I moved to Guam, where my [step]Dad is from. We hadn’t seen each other in years and it was great to catch up over dinner, although we do NOT recommend Neramitra Thai Cuisine for their horrible service and mediocre food. I got the pineapple fried rice.
Thursday – I met up with Tyler and Chris after work to try the pho at Froggy Bottom Pub. It was kind of hot and humid to really enjoy pho but I'm relieved there's good pho so close to work!
Friday – It's funny how much Friday's dinner mirrored Thursday's - totally unplanned! Britt suggested meeting for dinner before her and Mari went to see a Shakespeare play (note to self: see a play with these 2 theatre fanatics). I picked the restaurant Wok and Roll for its awesome name (Chinese and Japanese sushi - so punny!) and convenient location in Chinatown. 2nd day in a row getting Asian noodle soup! The weather turned windy, chilly, and rainy - great soup weather :) I got the egg noodles with bok choy and shrimp wontons.
That evening, I braved the downpour to go to Patricia’s “Sultry Slow Dance” party, a hilarious and lovely idea :D I felt kinda awkward at first, as I'm sure most people did haha. It felt like high school again (the playlist was mostly '90s love songs) but it was basically like any other party except for the obligatory physical contact. I love social dancing so no complaints from me! It was like speed dating standing up - get to know someone for the length of a song, then switch! I met some new people but enjoyed mostly catching up with male and female friends :) This was the only pic I got cuz I was too busy dancing...the party was winding down but Ray and Sarah are always ready to boogie haha
Saturday – Woke up early to go to the Multi-Stake YSA (young single adult) Service Activity. We went to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in east DC (I very rarely venture there) and joined several other organizations to clean up and fix up the beautiful park. I had an unexpectedly high level of enjoyment clearing invasive vines from trees and pulling weeds, which was partly due to my new friend Marissa and Alan, our volunteer group leader. My upper back is super sore from bending over (I thought I was in shape!) but it was worth it :)
Went home and rested a bit, went shoe shopping (yes, it was fruitful), then met up with Tara (“former roommate, present friend” :D) at Dupont Circle. Busy as she is with school stuff before finals/graduation, she suggested catching up over frozen yogurt. I was touched :) We talked it up at Sweetgreen, arguably my favorite froyo place.
Saw these gorgeous tulips all over on the walk to Foggy Bottom. MAN, I love DC in the spring!! Can't believe it's been a year since I moved here...
That evening, Britt helped throw a “Bodacious Birthday Party” for her roommate Michelle. There was wonderful company, delicious circus waffles (Mary and I went giddy over them), and balloons in my favorite colors. What a joyous evening.
Sunday – It felt so good to go to church again in my own ward – the first time in a month due to my Seattle/California trip, General Conference, and Boston trip. I got to sing “The Lord is My Shepherd” and accompany myself on the piano. I figure the best way to keep up my talents is to use it to [hopefully] uplift others. But I'm glad the heart-pounding anticipation is over haha.
I also got to visit teach Meisha with Elizabeth and have my visiting teachers Erin and Shannon over :) Each year, my testimony of the Visiting Teaching Program deepens because of the nourishing relationships I’ve been able to build through it.
There were many others I felt nourished by and hopefully nourished this week – you know who you are ;) Thank you for your love. Next week will be more focused on my other April goal. Considering all the times I ate out this week, I'll give you 1 guess for what that goal is...
:)
ReplyDelete