There is an ongoing joke back in Kansas, with our old group of friends that the Ronnings don't live by the same clock the rest of us do. They are on Ronning Time. The cool thing about it, though, is that when you are hanging out with them, you get to be on Ronning Time too. They are a family who works hard and plays hard. They are probably better at living in the moment than anyone I know. When you are with them you never feel like they are chomping at the bit to finish a conversation and just get on with their day. They have the gift of fellowship and making whoever they are with feel like there is nowhere they'd rather be. We just finished up a full weekend of Ronning Time and it couldn't have come at a better time with my New Years resolution and all.
When I think about all of the special friends in our life, I can pinpoint how they each, individually, help us to become better people. I have friends that remind me to focus on my marriage or parenting skills, a friend who challenges my thinking and sharpens me,
one who reminds me to pray and be self-disciplined, another who encourages me to lighten up and have fun, and one who surprises me with gifts, and some who pick me up when I have fallen down. There is no one friend who could do all of those things, but thankfully God knows what we need and if we are open to new relationships He will surprise us with who he sends our way to fill those needs. The Ronnings help us to slow down and enjoy the everyday moments and remind us of the good in the world.
Rich is the kind of guy that never meets a stranger. I have seen him approach a homeless man at a bus station and come away after praying with him knowing his life story and having a piece of his heart truly broken by the experience. When we worked with the youth together it was almost mystical how easily he connected with teenagers from all backgrounds. One look into his eyes and you know he is the real deal...no politician blood inside that heart. He truly cares for everyone he meets.
Allison is the most positive and optimistic person I have ever met. Once, I hurt her feelings at a scrapbook weekend because I made fun of her cheerleader like enthusiasm. I was so ashamed of how sarcastic I was with her when I saw the wound in her eyes. She got me back though when she started doing the Debbie Downer "da da da..." whenever I'd go on one of my rampages. I do have to admit that even though it stinks to be associated with DD, I am thankful for her ribbing because it helps to remind me to think before I open my mouth, "Is this going to be a Debbie Downer thing to say?" I've never heard Allison seriously say a bad word about anyone. She has a sense of humor and can dish out some sarcasm herself, but it is never out of meanness. She truly has a gift of assuming the best of everyone. God has given her such a pure heart. Just being around her helps me to shed some of that ugly critical spirit that creeps up on me every once in a while. It is good stuff, kind of like exfoliating.
I am so thankful for the time our kids got to spend together. There is something so special, almost family-like that happens with kids when they spend a few days with each other. We saw it with the Wiltses and the Meisses when they came to stay and when we stayed with the Shores too. They get to know each other again super fast and make lifelong memories. They may not get much sleep, but hey, that's okay. They can always catch up. Grace, Cole and Camryn are so precious. The kids hated to see them go.
Such a great time, that Ronning Time! Hopefully, we will get to do it again real soon.
