The Annual Illinois Mennonite Relief Sale did not disappoint. The food was fabulous. Best pancake and sausage breakfast of the year. The sausage is the best and the volunteers today knocked it out of the park.
This passage speaks to the feel of the day:
"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited." -Romans 12:16
We live about 30 miles from the Interstate Center in Bloomington, IL, where the sale is held each year. There is always much to see, including the famous quilt sale. There is so much diversity in the patterns and how they were made. Quilting is a practical art. Beautiful and useful. I have a double-wedding ring quilt that is a family hand-me-down that is a treasure. Quilts literally wrap us in love and memories. I love how the many different colors come together in harmony.
The volunteer hours before the sale happens are countless. I cannot even begin to imagine how many hours the actual committee puts in each year. Randy, Chase, Walker, and Ryan said the supply truck was loaded faster than it has ever been loaded on Thursday night.
Part of the harmony in the sale comes from the many volunteers who come from many different denominations and congregations. They are there to raise money for disaster relief, feeding the hungry, providing for those at home and abroad who need help and hope. The local sale has raised a total of $8,731,758.00 over the past 66 years. It is always exciting to hear the updated totals each year.
Running into a special childhood friend from Cullom was so much fun. I was hoping she would be there now that she has returned to Illinois. She and her husband did not disappoint.
I was surprised to see a young man raised in our church (and an ONU Grad) came with his beautiful wife to act as one of the auctioneers. Sam always thought it was fascinating as a child to listen to the auctioneers at the Relief Sale each year. As an adult, he learned the art of being an auctioneer. (I guess you have to do something after you finish your Ph.D., but still love learning.) I am so glad he did. It added to the fun of the day. He did an impressive job! I never realized until today how much the auctioneer's song connected me to a part of the "music" of my childhood.
The sound of the auctioneer combined with the other sounds of the sale combined in harmony as families spent time together, brothers and sisters in Christ served together, and raised money to help those in need. They did good. They shared with others. Giving changes lives. Serving together deepens relationships. It was very good.
"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."- Hebrews 13:16
Today, I am grateful for harmony.
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