~ my Ann Voskampish moment #1...

I call it a "hot site" in my favorites toolbar. No. The toolbar on my computer, not the list of sites that you see here on my blog that I've gathered over the years. Well... actually the site is over there, wow I almost forgot. And lookee there... it's right at the very top... A Holy Experience - Ann Voskamp. You should go check her out, you'll be glad you did.

Ok, so where was I... yes, yes... I wanted to share something that I am going to pride myself in calling an Ann Voskampish posting here.

And maybe you'll agree, maybe you will disagree, only time will tell.

I'm sure many have heard of, or even read, Ann Voskamp. Isn't she just amazing? Ok, not "just amazing," but a gifted, full of wisdom flowing from above, writer and photographer. Yes, I know she's not officially a photographer, but have you seen some of her pictures? Seriously. She's gifted in that realm too. So, when it comes to reading Ann's site I often find myself thinking, "if only I could see things that way, always." But, if that were the case then I could potentially be Ann Voskamp and she could potentially be out of a job. However, that would be like the least of her worries because she is not concerned with job security. She has set her success where most of us should. And just today I had an Ann Voskampish moment...

For the most part, everything was completely ordinary.

See, it's already a typical Ann moment because her whole purpose is to help others see the beauty (God's gift) in everything ordinary.

The day was drawing to the beginning of the end. You know, just after supper, when "bellies are full right through" (that's Ann lingo.) Caleb kept holding intently onto his cob of corn and managed to fill a diaper while doing so. I told you... ordinary. But, it gets better, just practice patience, it's something that we all need to do and I've been working hard at it, as well as making sure my children practice it too.

Deep Breath. Exhale.

"Off to do the dishes!" I say. And everyone scatters to the wind. Hubby handled the diaper because he's awesome! And the other two loved the fact that I blasted some Elvis on the iPod dock. While the day was drawing down the house was still in a vroomy upbeat mood.

Of course, the dishwasher was full of clean (well supposed to be clean - all depends on the mood of the dishwasher) dishes, so I opted to do them "olde fashioned" --- And that my friends is when the moment arose!

Ann would be on the edge of her seat too...

I stopped (ok, not really stopped, but did decide to take some pictures) and reflected on a story I heard at a "Birthing from Within" class that took in Atlanta, GA.

It was a story about how an American went to live with a monk ... and I am going to paraphrase a lot here... somewhere over in Asia. One night after supper the American stood up quickly to do the dishes and the monk stopped him and commented on how Americans are always trying to get to the "next thing." The American question him and the monk explained his philosophy. He asked the American if he ever did the dishes to just do the dishes. Or if he always did the dishes so he could be done with the dishes and have tea afterwards.  The American agreed that it was to be done with them and to have tea.

Or coffee, or ice cream, or cookies, or watch a movie, or go to bed, or to get on Face Book... you can fill in the blank.

The monk taught the American a valuable lesson in sharing that when he does the dishes he "washes the dishes to wash the dishes." Meaning he STAYS IN THE MOMENT and takes it all in.   And probably more than just taking it all in, he probably grew in those moments by paying attention to all the little details that are so often "un"regrettably looked over.

Have you ever thought that washing dishes could be a calming, relaxing, JOYFUL (Ann!) experience? Just think of all the senses that could be aroused.

The feel of warm water, the sound of it running and splashing like a mountain stream.

The scent of the soap, whether it be lemon, lavender, or just plain soapy.

The sight of BUBBLES.

The cleaning of dirt and grime off of a sparkling glass.

The sound of kids laughing in the background, or maybe a bird.

The ray of sun shining in the sink.

It's all beautiful.

Well, at least it was for me when I remembered the story and what it meant to "wash the dishes to wash the dishes." There. Right there in my kitchen sink. I found a little piece of joy, the glistening sparkles of Dawn dish soap bubbles glittering in the sun, while I washed dishes tonight. I thought they were just beautiful, so bright and sparkling, almost like the diamonds in my wedding ring. Not to mention, I got a little creative with my camera and creating a story line for this post. All from a simple moment of reflection. Thanks to Ann Voskamp and an Asian guy...