September 21, 2009

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  Thank you, dear new and old friends,

  for your Birthday and Anniversary Blessings!

   

   

  I was very busy one day with my daily blessings (chores) and I needed to stop what I was doing and write something on the calendar. It was August and I flipped the page to September. There was not much written under these dates as of yet so my eye quickly caught handwriting that was not mine. September 4th had masculine writing: "Date with my best friend - 4pm." Under September 10th I recognized my daughter's handwriting: "Mother's 60th Birthday - lunch at Barb's - 11am." What a fun discovery!!! Ummmm, when my best friend and I have a date, we always discuss the calendar date together and where we are going. I became a bit suspicious but since I love surprises I tried not to think about whom we would be spending this evening with. (If you are Pa. Dutch, you are allowed to end with a preposition!)  

   

   

  

  About five minutes from our home on September 10th, we pulled into the driveway of one of my close friends, Nancy. It was so much fun discovering we would be spending the evening with Nancy and Carl. I thought they would be getting into our vehicle but instead they told us to come into the house. When I stepped inside the door, the couple on the left, Jo and Duane, were standing there. I must tell you what makes this extra special. For years, and years, and years, when our children were growing up, we went to the mountains together and just made wonderful memories. After our children started getting married, we stopped that tradition as it involved a lot of different schedules. We get to see Carl and Nancy every Sunday at church but don't visit very much so spending this evening together was a wonderful gift to me. I see Jo once a year when she travels two hours with several other ladies to spend the day with different friends in our area. We don't get to see Duane often at all - maybe every two years. This was so very thoughtful of Nevin and I was blessed right on the spot!! We then traveled together to Shady Maple Restaurant(where you read some time ago that I had the privilege to tour the kitchen) and used this time for all six of us to catch up in each others' lives! We enjoyed so much reminiscing about those years at the mountains. "Laughter doeth good like medicine" and we all got our dose for the day! The 45 minutes to the restaurant went by so quickly. Above wasn't the best spot to pose for a picture as the sun was shining brightly and we were squinting!!

   

   

  

  Most of you know Doris with Transport for Christ - her entries often have a wonderful looking meal that makes you feel like stopping what you are doing and find her restaurant where she came from! This picture made me think so much of you, Doris Jean!

   

   

  

  Will someone please tell me how you relax neck muscles??!! You should see the pictures I didn't use!! With only getting to see Jo once a year and then only six hours, we had a lot of catching up to do. I notice with this picture you will figure out where Nancy is! 

   

   

  

  Because I don't have a lot of pictures from this extra special evening, I decided to take you back to the day in May when Jo came to spend those six hours with Nancy and me. This was the first time we went to a greenhouse together and that was just so much fun as each of us would offer what we enjoy having in our flower beds.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

  

  After our lunch and more catching up, we stopped nearby in Joyce's home. This is the type of prayer veiling we three girls wear and this is Jo's first time to visit Joyce's shop. She is trying several on to see which fits her best. After Jo chooses what she would like, Joyce will sew several and then mail them to her. Many of you know Joyce and appreciate her gracious, cheerful spirit.

   

   

  

  This was the end of our day - we were to meet here at 3pm and as usual we are usually the last ones to arrive! Each year we always find ourselves trying to hurry meet this time! (I needed to show you this picture so you see Jo is not always sober-looking!)

  Back to September 4th - after our meal and arriving back at Nancy and Carl's home, we ladies sat in the kitchen and caught up with our individual friendships. You all know how much like-precious faith means to me and I tuck these memories in my heart. 

   

   

  

  My gift was their fellowship tonight but they added some more! The evening went way too quickly and since Duane and Jo had two hours to travel home we didn't extend the time quite as late as we would have liked. We gave goodbye hugs and realized it might be another year until we see each other again. "God be with you 'till we meet again."

  (I'll tell you about my daughter's blessing the next time.)

   

  • 10:46 pm
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