Missional vs. Missions

"For this is no way they have chosen themselves, no undertaking of their own. It is, in the strict sense of the word, a mission." Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.

There has been an interesting amount of chatter on blogs and evangelical media websites buzzing about this word "missional". It introduces a nuanced word to shift our thinking from missions (noun) to missional (adjective). 

And I have to say, I am totally on board with the shift. Because I think it's what Jesus called his disciples to: be missional. Not "do" missions; be missions. It should ooze from a follower of Christ, just like kindness, compassion, repentance and forgiveness of others should as well. Missionality is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, a part of love, joy, peace, patience...

This Friday, I have an opportunity to be missional in a brand new way for me. Our church, Grace Church, has established a partnership with an organization in Kenya. Four teams a year are sent, usually 2 medical and 2 teaching trips. I am one of 17 leaving in less than 48 hours to help with a medical clinic that will be hosted near Kiawara Baptist Church, North of Nairobi. 

I have nothing to do with the medical field, except I take medicine and go to the doctor's office occasionally. I believe that God calls each believer to live outside of themselves and their comfort for the sake of the Gospel, even though in the world's eyes (read: check-out lady at Trader Joe's) it seems non-sensical for me to go on this trip - because what do I have to offer the team and God?? - it makes much sense to God's kingdom. And that's the kindgom I should be concerned about, not my own.

Pray for us. Pray for the nations.

image: Kim DeLoach Photography

Mary Monday: Hair Confession

Look at me! It's Monday again, and I actually remembered my new resolution of writing weekly via the Monday posts. First step: figure out how to make the time to jot thoughts into the week. Second step: make said thoughts coherent. 

Second step will be a long time coming.

On to another "thing" I do; or don't do: 

I don't wash my hair (often). True story.

My hair used to be straight and shiny smooth, blow dry it and go, and I coulda pulled off Rachel-from-Friends-in-1995 hair, but in 1995 I was too young to have that hair cut. 

Here is the only digital picture I have of my straight hair:

And that's our dog, Belle, when she was a puppy. I promise she's not dead there. 

At some point shortly after I got married, my hair started to curl. And now this is what it looks like when I blow dry it:

After a few years of trial and error, asking other trusted curly-haired friends how they keep their curls, someone told me about the book, Curly Girl, by Lorraine Massey. 

This book changed my hair's life. It's basically like the Oil Cleansing Method for your hair. The idea that your body naturally produces oil, and when we wash with detergents - which is what most of our commercial soaps are - it completely strips your hair and then overproduces oil, which is what leads some people to feel like they need to wash their hair even twice a day. A vicious cycle. 

I wash it with paraben free shampoo twice a week, the other days I either don't wash it or use conditioner to wash it. Yes. It sounds like rubbing oil in your hair. But it's not. Because it's soft and not fuzzy, bouncy but not heavy. And since I hate to get ready, I love that I only need to wash my hair 2x a week. It makes me more willing to get out of bed when I know I don't have to "do" my hair. I'd just rather use that time for other stuff. Like drinking coffee.

You can read all about how to tweak the method for yourself and your hair personality. Most people have some kind of wave to their hair, so I think that most people's hair can benefit from this practice.  I am not necessarily a Curly Girl purist - but I do what makes my hair do what I want. Here is my "routine", and I will share with you the products I use as well:

- wash hair with paraben free shampoo (I use EveryDay Shea, a big 32oz. bottle for $9.99 that lasts me about 3 months)

- rinse shampoo, add a big blob of conditioner (Tea Tree Triple Treat by Giovanni or Yes! To Carrots, both at Target for $7.99 and $8.99, respectively) and start at ends and work up to roots. 

-rinse conditioner, squeeze excess water out, and squeeze drips with a microfiber towel (I use an old 50/50 tshirt. Gross? Meh....)

-here is where I spend my money: DevaCurl hair gel. It's $18.95 for a 12oz. bottle.* 

That's it. I don't blow dry (except my bangs), I never brush my hair, I only diffuse in the winter when it's cold and my hair is still dripping before heading out the door, and I don't use curling wands** or irons or other hot things. I told you, I really hate getting ready.

Why I love this method:

• ZERO split ends. Even going 4 months between hair cuts.
• No more dry, flaky, itchy scalp.
• No more fuzzy hair. 
• Very little maintenance and product and equipment. (cha-ching)
• Products that are good for my skin and hair, not harsh and scary.
• Happy hair = more time to think about other, more important things (dinner and carpool line).

This method may not be for you, but I think it's fun to try new things. The book is helpful and full of info, it's worth the read: I picked it up at the library! And this routine and the products are my favorites, but was born over a couple of years of trial and error. My hair may look the same every day, but when I like what it looks like most days, then I am okay with it being the same...

And for the record, I feel funny having so many images of myself on this post. 

Happy Monday!

*BUT, it does not have all that wax in it that builds up on your scalp and makes your scalp itchy. And also doesn't make your waves crunchy, but soft. I also don't dye my hair, and get it cut just 4x a year, so there's money there that I use for product instead.

**even though i recently witnessed what a wand can do to curls after a few days of not-washing. magical. and kinda want one.

White Noise

Lately, I feel like no one hears me. I say things. Out loud. But no one responds. Like white noise. It's there as background, to drown out the other noises. 

I talk about these things all the time, but no one is listening to me:

"Stop licking stuff."

"Don't use your shirt as a napkin again."

"The dog does not need more water when her bowl is already full. Get the paper towels and clean it up."

"Do not balance your plate like a waiter and try to sing. We do not live on Broadway."

"Get your arm out of there."

"Put your gum back in your mouth."

I now understand how Phoebe felt:

Not Our Home

We sold our house in a day. 

After 6 months of sweat and tears and money and exhaustion, it was finally ready to put on the market. And just like that, it was gone. No longer our home. Full of inspectors and agents and appraisals, people coming in and out, turning out the wrong lights when they leave. And I find myself getting defensive of our home, annoyed at all the intruders making appointments to get in, wanting to hold it close, keep it ours for as long as we can. But we have it in writing - it is no longer ours to keep, and we have given the buyers full rights to explore and discover their new home...even though all of our stuff still fills it.

And there is no new home for us to turn expectantly to. It is that moment of faith, when one must let go in order to grasp the next thing, our hands empty as we fly in mid-air, praying that we will see the help to come, grab firm and move forward. We must turn expectantly, not to a home, but to the Lord, and depend. Ultimately, all of life is dependence. 

At least that's what I try to remind myself. Not for the sake of over-spiritualizing the process, because there are tons of practical things that we have to think about, pay for, talk about, pray about, decide on, pay for...but when I feel I'm at my wits end, and nothing has changed about our circumstance despite the paying, talking, deciding, thinking, paying and praying, God always brings me back to the reality that this world is not my home. And although the spot where we lay our heads at night may be transient for a season, that is not a bad, or scary thing. It actually may be a really awesome, exciting thing - IF. If we will trust Him. And believe he loves us. And live like He loves us and will take care of us. 

"The first Christ-suffering which every man must experience is the call to abandon the attachments of this world" - Bonhoeffer