Comfy Clothes

You know those clothes that when you put on that make you feel happy, comfy, like the world is all in order? Or those "go to" clothes. Those clothes that if you are having a day that you need to feel confident or you woke up feeling less than confident you know that this shirt, pair of pants, sweatshirt, sweater...whatever it is will do the trick, even if you did wear it the day before you still put it on justifying to yourself you will see new people today. Heck, the need for confidence trumps pride at this point. I LOVE those clothes. I have a quite a few of those in my closet and some I have sadly had to say good bye to as they ended up in shreds after years of comfort. Everyone has at least one in their closet. My dad even had a pair of bright yellow sweats that he LOVED. They were fuzzy and bright Turlock High yellow, aka the 'gold' in Turlock Bulldogs 'Blue & Gold' school colors. I liked them, my mom--not so much and my mom's friend who came over a lot teased my dad relentlessly about them. See we all have those comfy clothes. Sometimes we do have to get rid of them (or in my poor dad's case when he was on a trip they mysteriously disappeared in one of my mom's clean outs) but do it begrudgingly and wonder if we could ever really replace them.

This weekend it was beautiful but very cold. Winter is settling in here in NZ and I am not ready for it at all! But I am gravitating towards those comfy warm clothes that bring a little warmth and make me feel comfy as I try to get warm in the non heated houses here. I realized on Saturday and Sunday morning though that sometimes a place or a person can generate that same warm feeling. I got a call on Saturday morning from a friend that is like that old college sweatshirt that is perfectly baggy, warm and reminds you a good moments. We chatted for a bit, I cried--blaming it on the pregnancy hormones, but reality is it is just me, we laughed, made fun of our craziness and laughed at ourselves and both felt a little less crazy about who we were and the life we are leading. Sam got up shortly after I got off the phone and by the smile on my face he knew which friend I had just chatted with....some people are like those comfy hoodies that make your day better.

Sunday morning though, I realized in a new way that a place can also serve that same purpose. We tried a new church on Sunday where a couple that Sam went to school with goes. We had them over for dinner the other night and enjoyed them and their little kiddos. It's interesting in this town, no one really enjoys their church. They told us where they went to church but quickly said they don't love it. It seems like that has been the same thing I have heard over and over. I took for granted what I had in Redding, at home, and in LA. Church is very different here for me and I am adjusting to a new culture where English is spoken but the cultural differences are enough to make you wonder if English really is the same language. I grew up LOVING church and enjoying the experience. I had great Bible teachers, models in the church from young to old that weren't perfect but lived out loving Jesus and God's grace and went to churches that tried to love people and follow Jesus and His ways. I noticed while I was here last year and again am noticing that my experience is very rare to what most people have experienced. Most of my conversations with friends that didn't go to church then and still don't centered more around sharing my experience and my interaction with God and was left there. Questions were asked sometimes, and I often received surprised looks at what I experienced but then the conversation ended until they were ready to talk about it all again. Such an interesting dynamic in this place. I bumped into a couple on the beach that noticed my American Accent and told me that for them this area was much like the Bible Belt in the South. I only lived in North Carolina, but the analogy gave words to some of my experiences.

As we walked in Sunday morning I had that 'comfy hoodie' feeling. The songs were from when I was in high school and college, we ended up sitting in the middle of the "older people" section (One lady sweetly introduced herself and said, 'you two should be sitting on that side of the church.' She was so sweet and it made me laugh that there were unspoken sections) and it was like being transported back to my home church when I was a little girl. For me that was the perfect combination to help me have a good experience. I cried all through the songs, some pregnancy emotions, some walking through the doors of yet another church after a hard experience mixed in within the feeling of comfort and ease that I felt, much like a comfy hoodie. I needed to feel that familiar feeling, the place where God came so naturally, where I understood life, where memories of God's power, love and forgiveness came rushing in two at a time. For me it was what I needed and I was thankful for this sweet little church in the middle of this tiny town. It restored something inside of me. It was such a great morning for me and one that I needed. Comfy clothes, comfy friend, and comfy church. Comfort zones aren't always the best to stay in, but at times I think God loves us enough to give us all three in one weekend.

And just to make you all smile I had Sam take a picture of me in my new maternity clothes my mom sent. I was trying so hard to wear them and while they fit to a point please notice how long the dress is in the front...I guess I need that tummy to start sticking out to make it fit right. :)