We had a really funny situation last night. We were invited over for dinner with our new friends Tim and Kathy, and Kathy had invited two other couples to meet us as well. We arrived around 6:30, and Tim met us at the door and said something like, "Come on in. We're pretty laid back this evening". We went upstairs and Kathy met us in sweatpants with a paintbrush in her hand. She had a funny look on her face - and it was one of those awkward moments when you suddenly realize that you came on the wrong evening. We all started laughing, and Tim said, "Well, since you're here, why don't we order some pizzas and watch a movie!" It was hilarious, and their relaxed attitude immediately relieved our embarrassment. We stayed until almost 10 pm, and tonight we're going back for the replay :)
Tim and I went out to pick up some pizzas, and of course we had to stop by the store to buy some beer first (after all, that's what you do in America, right?). I can't remember what we were talking about, but as we got out of the car I said said something like, "I'm still trying to figure it out..." There was a woman standing outside the store smoking a cigarette, and she said in her gravely voice, "Hey, when you get it figured out, let me know - 'cause I'm still trying to get it all figured out!". We ended up on the same aisle inside the store, and Tim and I watched in amazement as she picked up two cartons of 30 cans of beer each. I asked her (tongue in cheek) if she thought she could make due with only 60 cans. "After the day I've had," She said, "I'll probably drink one whole carton tonight." We checked out, then drove around the corner to pick up a couple of pizzas. We were standing there waiting for our order, and the same lady walked in. Tim looked at her and said, "Are you stalking us?" We laughed, and I turned to the cashier and said, "She'll probably be ordering four pizzas for herself." As we left Tim said to her in passing "We're going back to my house now - see you there." I loved it. It was a great example of the small-town atmosphere that we so much enjoy.
Our shipment arrived two days ago, and our friend Sharon came with a U-Haul to pick up her belongings from the container, along with a couple of guys from her church. There's still quite a bit of snow on the ground, and the truck driver tried unsuccessfully about 10 times to back the truck into our driveway. They even put chains on the tires - but no luck. He finally drove straight in, and we got the whole thing unloaded with no personal injuries or broken furniture. Our only regret is that we'll have to load it all up again to move to our new home in the next month or two.
I spent last Thursday evening with two men from the church. The normal men's group had been cancelled, so I suggested to these two guys that we meet for some fellowship. I've mentioned them in a previous blog: Scott and Carrie are the couple who've lost three of their four children in the past five years - two by motorcycle accident in 2004, and the third who died December 27th two years ago - at age 17. This will be the first Christmas since their son Chris's death that they will remain home for Christmas; the last two years they left home because the pain was simply too great to bear. Ted is the fellow who's lost virtually everything he has in the past two years - his home in Maryland, his ability to work through an accident a year ago this month, and he's estranged from all three of his sons. He and his wife Bea live in a two room cabin that they're heating with the wood stove, and they struggle to pay the $600 rent each month. You know, every time I'm tempted to have a pity party for myself the Lord introduces me to people who are living through pain that I can scarcely imagine. Their reality just seems to bring life into focus.
As we sat in Scott's living room talking and crying together, I told them how amazing it is that this Christmas will be so significant for all three of our families - for different reasons, and in different circumstances - and yet we have the opportunity to care for one another during what can be a very difficult Christmas season. There's just something very healing in that thought.
God really does love us, and He really does care how His children feel; I can see this in how He has brought us together with these two families, with Tim and Kathy, and with this church. I am a grateful man.
I just returned from a driving lesson with Karine, and we came upon these beautiful deer - what a great place to live.
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