I come around the corner to find this. He was making insurance plans for me and playing king of the house with the kids. I’ll keep him! #besthusband #bestdaddy #kingofOURHOUSE!!!!
Sarah started work at Pizza Hut yesterday! (She was especially pleased that they had a uniform and hat small enough to fit her.)
It sounds like she will be doing a little of everything: hostessing, running the cash register, cooking, bussing tables, waiting tables, etc. She wants to work about 10-15 hours a week which will help pay her bills but not interfere too much with her studies.
I’m so proud of my son and my daughter–not to mention the fabulous woman my son married and their son and their daughter! The circle of love continues.
I am sure that you all have been losing sleep this week trying to figure out all of the traveling mysteries referred to in Monday’s post. (Yeah, right.)
In fact, speaking of mysteries, Jan commented that she read that post too early in the morning (before her coffee had kicked in) and she never DID figure it all out.
That is one of my Big Blog Goals–confuse my readers whenever possible.
Today I will take you a little further down the explanation road and next week, I will finish the whole traveling story.
The trip I referred to Monday was a return to Smithfield, NC, the place where Steve pastored from 2004-2008. We hadn’t been back to the church in eight years so it was truly special to be invited back for its 50th Anniversary.
Steve and I drove to Smithfield from Manteo and Sarah drove in from Virginia Beach. After the Sunday morning service, she headed back to Virginia Beach and Steve and I headed on to other places. (Hence, the reference to the mysterious parting of our ways in Monday’s post.)
Sunday morning, the three of us got ready and headed on over to the church. Sarah was especially looking forward to it because for four years, she attended the Christian Academy that was part of the church while we were there. She had great fun wandering through her old classrooms and reliving the memories of life back when she was a kid. (Nothing makes you feel any more like you are a real grown up than realizing how long ago your middle school days were.)
We got to see a whole lot of people who are so special to us, including this sweet lady. (Edith plays a prominent role in this very favorite blog post of mine.) She plays bass guitar in the church worship band, sings beautifully and has enough spunk for twenty people. Love her!
Another lady we love in Smithfield is Miss Johnnie who is a very long time member of the church. (Pictured with the current pastor and his sweet wife.)
I remember when we were in Smithfield and the local rescue mission was low on funds. Instead of tut-tutting and saying, “What a shame,” and “I hope someone does something about that,” Miss Johnnie got busy and started organizing Gospel Sings every couple of months, inviting singers and musicians from all the area churches. At each concert, she went up front to receive the offering and never failed to garner a generous collection.
I will never forget that example of seeing a 70-something woman firmly believe she could get busy and make a difference. She is also a woman who spends much time in prayer, praying for her church, her pastor, and people with all sorts of needs. Steve and I are the grateful recipients of many of her prayers through the years.
And what would a 50th Anniversary be without some lovely calories to enjoy!
I’ve always thought Southern church women were the best cooks in the world and this spread proved me right yet again.
We so enjoyed the chance to return to a place and to people we love before heading on to the next part of our journeying.
Just to give you a little hint, you will be reading about this car in that next post.
See you next time!
I love how Nathan has the beads on his head and plays with the kids while doing the insurance stuff. How in the world can he concentrate? 🙂 The church celebration looks awesome and I am anxious to hear about the car and the continuing story….
LeeAnne,
Young fathers seem to have the ability to compartmentalize all the crazy events of their day. If I was looking at insurance, I would need utter silence
–and NO beads on my head. 🙂
I know where you’re going in that vintage car! You’re going time traveling!!!! Or not.
Love, love, love the photo of Nathan in his crown. It shows what a high priority his children are. Good job!!
How lovely that you got to go back to Smithfield. In many Protestant churches, former pastors are discouraged from visiting their former churches (to give the “new guy” a chance to win the hearts of parisioners), which would make this visit a really special time if it’s true of your church. Those desserts look amazing! I had to smile, because it seems there’s always a gentle competition among church women as to who–Baptists? Methodists? Lutherans?– provides the best casseroles. But then, I’ve always lived in northern states. Perhaps in the south the competition is for who provides the most beautiful desserts?
Miss Johnnie has officially put me to shame.
Jan,
Desserts, casseroles, north, south–it’s all good! (Literally and figuratively.) 🙂
Yes, Steve and I hopped right in that car and went straight back to the future. (Or something like that.)
Thanks for your words about Nathan; it brings such joy to see him being a good husband and daddy.
So happy you got to visit Smithfield. The desserts looked fantastic. Waiting to hear ? about the ?. Nathan is “something ” else! Sarah’s smile always brightens my day.
Ann,
I know you enjoy some good cooking in your church, as well! 🙂 I’m glad my kids brighten your day.
Good times.
Steve,
Lots of good memories made and remembered!
That was a fun post to read today 🙂 So glad Sarah got a part time job that she wanted/needed. I think everyone at some time in their life should work in food service serving others, to show them the way to treat other servers 😉 Just my opinion..ha! Loved the pictures of your kids and I too am waiting to hear the story on the car. Wendy
Wendy,
That’s funny you should say that because I had just told Sarah recently that I think that just about everyone you meet can probably say that at some point in their life that they worked in food service.
And you’re absolutely right–it is a great opportunity to model how to serve others with a kind and gracious attitude. I’ve heard it said that you can tell more about a person by how he treats a server than any other thing. So true!
Aaacck–a cliffhanger! I hate those! What’s the deal with that car? Where are you going next? Why oh why do I have to wait for the answers?! (grumbles, mumbles, miscellaneous mutterings ensuing.) :-}
Love the pictures of your two fabulous kids and the 50th celebration.
Love, Deb
Deb,
Aaaccck right back atcha! 🙂