My algorithm is a hoot. I see dog memes that I share with lightning speed in my family text group. I see recipes that tempt me to be vegan that I favorite and never try. And I see the most absolutely precious pictures of old people. Old people friends. Old people in love. Old people! Some of my favorites are the kind where he’s curling her thin gray hair and they are laughing. Or two women, dressed to the nines in clothes that are just as outstanding today as they were 50 years ago when they were brand new. And they are slowly strutting their stuff, lost in conversation as they shuffle down the sidewalk.
Do you know what I love about my old-people algorithm? The smiles they give each other. Smiles that say I know you. I knew you when you were young and your skin was smooth, and I know you now when your eyes are the only thing that still shine in the same way. And the truest gift is that I lived all the time in between knowing you. I mean, right now, aren’t you tempted to google old people just to get in on this?
One of the hardest things about this cross-cultural life is feeling like you are never truly known.
Did I mean to give that part up? Did I understand that this life could mean there would be very few wrinkled friends that will even exist to look in my eyes and say I KNOW YOU?
With all the passion we can muster here, we want to give as much of that back to you as possible. You can be known… here.
Welcome to Velvet Ashes.
In this place, we get your unique life. We talk about it. We cry and laugh with you. We appreciate your eccentric dress or your faded clothes. We cheer you on when you are single and lonely. We set you straight when you say you are only a mom, but in a different country. And we create the spaces for you to be known and to know others.
When you shake your head at a Friday Funny on Instagram.
When you share with us in a community chat on the membership site.
When you connect with each other in Connection Groups.
When you gather to laugh and grow during an Online Retreat.
When your heart feels seen because there is new spiritual formation content just for you.
When you love and hate books together in Book Club.
And on and on…
No matter your sending church, sending org, team size, ministry strategy, five-year plan, level of living, or furlough schedule, we are here for you all.
As long as women are leading the way in the global kingdom movement, we will be here encouraging them and providing a place for them, for you, to be seen and known.
So if you are a veteran here, welcome.
If you have been on the edges and are just now curious about us, welcome.
And if you are mostly just curious about our weird name and have no idea who we are, you are welcome too.
All month long we will be inviting you to know us and, boy, do we sure long to know you.
Welcome to Velvet Ashes.
What does being known look like to you?
