** A Very Quick, Unedited Family History about Hospitality***
woven together into the very fabric of our family DNA.
If you are reading this and are turned off because the thought of a lasting legacy brings emotions of what you don’t have…take heart. A lasting legacy begins today and you have the power to change generations to come. My parents did – they broke the cycle and I am the benefactor or that.
(As I type this, I realize the spirit of hospitality – not entertaining – there’s a big difference, needs to be a completely separate series since I feel pretty passionately about it…surprise, surprise.)
This is my sil (mom of 10) and my mom…yes, grandmother of 30. Pretty disgusting how great she looks, isn’t it? True Proverbs 31 lady. Amazing what healthy eating and exercise will do…:) I need to learn from my mother…hee hee.
The reason I bring up our history is to set the stage for our Sunday evening. We got to meet precious YOUNG for the first time, and she was such a delight. For the last decade my parents have had international students live with them, and recently the focus has been Chinese teachers that come to teach in the US for one year.These teachers become part of our family, and you can imagine the huge cultural curve they have with us. 
We always tell them that we are not “typical Americans.” Ha ha…at least we’re honest.
Some of the reasons that just JUMP off the obvious page are the social issues. They may only have one child and then are forced to make that happen. Can you imagine your first interaction being a “family dinner” with all of us on the Harried Homestead? Trust me, many of you may be overwhelmed, not to mention this sweet, “one child policy” teacher. It’s never a time that’s out of control, it’s just organized chaos. She just loved it though, and couldn’t get over the demonstration of affection…typically rare in her culture. My dad always gives “love pats, “ yep – on the touché…as a grown woman you just have to deal with it…lol, and that cracked her up.
Oh, I realize that this post will be WAY TOO LONG If I go over all the differences, so I will jump WAY ahead. We are about to have the most delightful year with her. She is very different that many of the teachers that have stayed with my parents. Many have been staunch supporters of the Communist government which includes no Christian churches etc, so it’s typically a very interesting learning time for the kids, and a great “world view” opportunity. Young wants to experience everything American, including why we believe what we believe.She’s asking…can we really say “no?”
She came in loving on the kids, and gave us all a great tutorial on her perspective of the Olympics.
You always know those “special someones” by how children take to them….and ours sure did.
Here’s just a few peeks at what a typical time when we’re together looks like.
My kids are cracking me up…they are thinking blog and my son took the picture of the meat. Trust me, there were about 3 more plates full of those.
BUT NOTE THE AWESOME YARD SALE FIND!! I got this fun summer time dinnerware. I typically just use white dishes and then dress them up with accents but this great aqua set….a COMPLETE MIKASA (OH YEA…that’s expensive stuff!!) place setting for 8…with the serving pieces…in the boxes….$20!
I know HATE ME!
Can you see them nestled under the hamburgers?
My hubby is a true grill master. This is my nephew who treated us with lots of fun foods from Guatemala.
Since each picture is taking forever to load….I can’t finish off the special evening. Come back for our time of blessing…..Here’s a sneak peak!
What wonderful memories you all are making. How fortunate for you to be reared in a family that loves unconditionally. It looks like you all have a terrific time together. What wonderful cultural experiences to be had with the people from different countries. We are all created in God’s image and that is a wonderful testimony of that fact to all in your family!
Hope your computer gets fixed soon!!! I had issues with my old one before I got my new on at the beginning of summer. GRRRR… is right. lol
It looks like your family had a wonderful time getting to know a new friend. I only wish your family was the “typical American family”. Oh well, we can work on that, right?
What a neat experience.
Thanks for the glimpse into your gathering…loved the pictures!
Guess What?
I am Tagging you…come to my blog to get the details.
http://www.inspiredlooks.blogspot.com
Hugs,
Vern
That is so cool! I loved taking a peek at your family’s night together. I can’t help but think how much that scene was created by your parents legacy and how they raised you. You have a great family.
It looks like someone maybe getting prayed for to go back to the misssion field.
That’s my guess!LOL
awww how sweet! And I just love all your pictures! I still can’t believe how big the girls have gotten! I mean its been a while since we saw them but really not that long ago! We were out in your neck of the woods the other day! I had to run SOS out to a friend of mine for her son.
Hope you get your computer problems taken care of. David got a new laptop and I was gonna get his old one but it died! I think it did it on purpose (heehee) so I have to wait a couple of weeks before we get it back!
I’m soooo glad that I’m not the only person out there that has to wait on her husband to fix the computer!!!! I’d be lost without him. Looks like a fun time was had by everyone at your get together. Your parents remind me of reading Corrie Ten Boom’s book and what life was like at her house. By the way, I WANT those turquoise dishes! What a find. Fun stuff!
Can I come over and be a part of that?
What fun to get the whole (giant) family together!
Oh how I’d love to be sitting in the middle of that fun scene. How wonderful.I love to entertain as well and anytime I think of a blog the camera comes out and I start snapping pictures lol. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you do stop by again.
Talk with you soon!
Kim
What a great post! Oh, I am so excited your family gets to share your faith with Young! And you’re right, she asked! : ) Y’all look like you had so much fun.
Hi – thanks for visiting my blog! I look forward to seeing you for the “Tuesday Tips” blog carnival!
What a wonderful family you have! Lots of beauty for sure…and yes, I read about the bedlam too. Love your blog title – balancing for sure!
I heard a speaker on hospitality, and she said entertaining puts the emphasis on YOU, hospitality puts the emphasis on your GUEST. Great way to think about it.
This is such a terific post! I enjoyed having you visit my blog today, and yes we do have quite a bit in common.
Interesting that you posted on hospitality today! I am reading a book I picked up at She Speaks about this very thing. It’s about opening your hearts and homes to others. I know God is directing me to do this, and being here now, is confirmation.
He has had me purging my house of any clutter in order to make it clean enough to allow and even invite drop in visits. I’ve never thought of the foreign visitor. Interesting!
I was not one who was raised with hospitality, for my family it was all family. We have a strong one but I see the need to think outside of our boundaries. 🙂
Nice to meet you! I’ll be back!
Good Night! Talk about getting engrossed in a BLOG! Im gonna have to spend some more time here! Shame on my – I am spending all day updating and cute-ing up my blogs! Gotta get back to work but I will be back! Anxious to check out your education blog!!!
Wow, what a neat experience!
What a great post. It looks like everyone was having a blast. It is so neat to have all the family together and what a neat cultural experience.
I can’t imagine the magnitude of what Young must be experiencing! Amazing!
I have to add, I was the recipient of God’s love from a Christian family-much like yours, I was the pregnant teen coming from a “colorful” home life. They didn’t try to hide me from the younger children…I ate right along side them. I am so thankful for God’s saving grace! I am so incredibly undeserving and yet He chooses to pour it out on me just the same. I will never be the same again! I hope that my life will be that of a legacy for my own family, now and in generations to come.
How is school coming along?
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
You ain’t kiddin’…
A whole lot of beauty packed into a punch of bedlam. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. When does a mother of 5 have time to blog?
I have four (19, 17, 7, 6), and it’s all I can do to have a complete thought by the end of the day.
My hat’s off to you girl. What a rich, terrific, life you write.
Thanks for stopping by the blog. Be blessed in all your many doings.
peace~elaine
I envy your large and lovable family! It looks noisy but fun!!!
what a lovely family! Glad you had such a good time. We had a feast here last night for my daughter’s birthday and I feel like the pig needed to be barbequed today!
God Bless.
LOL, your family is great! I would probably be in sensory overload for the first hour or so, but I am sure I would get used to it 🙂
I love your Aqua plates!
What fun you had!
Bella 🙂
Looks like a fantastic time. Nothing beats good quality time with the family. It just can’t be matched!