WE'RE BACK - A Tale of a Table and Hospitality and Adventures with Grandblessings.

Thursday, I cleaned house and made a manicotti dinner for our small group. A couple of kids came this week, and Melia was happy to watch them. We pay her for the weeks she is down with kids - though she truly enjoys spending time with them. Millie, our labradoodle, doesn't enjoy kids quite as much as Melia does. 

Chandler and Rebekah, a couple from our small group, weren't feeling well so we asked if a meal would be helpful. We had enough left over from small group to take a manicotti dinner and cookies to them this morning. I got diverted and talked much longer than was needful. Melia was beginning to wonder where I was by the time I got home. ::snort::

CoRielle's kids were due for our Friday date...I made it home before they did. We did the normal games and such...but I also enlisted a bit of help to finish dinner preparations. 

He did a great job with this job - and I stayed right there.

A fun toy from the library

Snow play

Charles refused to bring his snow clothes. He was told he'd need to stay on the deck but would still be going outside. I couldn't just let him stand on the deck, so he went to work out there for me with my special shovel for the Trex deck. 

The boys climbed the berms outside of our windows and walked the ridge. We can't see out the windows down there any longer. Look, the lilacs are blooming. I'm trusting they KNOW the right time to bloom. Seems a bit early for me with all the cold temps we are having. 

Benny convinced Danny it was easier to crawl through the yard than to walk. I'm not convinced. 

Meanwhile Ellie and Papa found things to do INSIDE! 

The kids went home to celebrate Cory's birthday! Melia helped set the table while I put the final touches on dinner. I had enough salad and melon from small group to serve tonight, along with rice and Chicken Divan. We had strawberry shortcake for dessert. 

As we worked, I began to remember. Our table began its life at Hospitality House in Misawa, Japan. When the ministry was closed out, they gave the table to a family from the chapel who was also involved with Hospitality House.  It was free with the stipulation it be used for ministry/hospitality around the table. When this family moved, they didn't have room in their household goods for the table and began to look for a new home for it. They gave it to us...It's big...and we have tried to keep it full and crowded.  We nearly moved the table downstairs as we didn't need a big one up here and we really haven't had much community other than family the last few years. 

  After Josiah was killed Laura, a dear online friend, sent us a huge box of puzzles and a couple of "ornaments" too. One said, "Be love" on one side and "Beloved Community" on the other. She knew our vision to love courageously and for community. She also sent one that says, "I want a house with a crowded table." She said they reminded her of us, and she suspected Josiah was the type to attract and create community as well.  He was.  Over the past few years as I've dusted, I've smiled at the ornaments and told God I trusted him to bring community back into our lives.  They were a sweet reminder of what life was like before and a promise that it would be again.  

It seemed pointless to have a big table upstairs when most nights there are only three of us to sit around it. I'm glad we didn't move the table downstairs.  Our season is changing, our doors are open and we have a crowded table once again.  We sense a restoration of community and ministry. To be sure we are a bit slower, grief still exhausts us, some days the load is heavy...but community is forming.  

We can fit 12 around the table - it's tight but it works. At this point our small group of two weeks, including kids, can sit around the table and it's been a great way to get to know each other.

Last week we had Eric and Ingrid over and ate and played games around the table. Tonight we had Paul, Jinnifer and their homeschooling family over. We love this family. Their daughter, Jane, is Melia's age and we are creating space for a friendship to form....actually for all of us. We were previously attending a life group that met in their home. That season transitioned for them, but we can still enjoy time with each other. 

Mike, Daniel, Melia, Jane, Lucy, Jinnifer and Paul

In the midst of the fun, I noted, with joy, the table is full!!! We had 8 around it tonight...12 will fit if we put 4 on each side and 2 on each end. Eight is comfortable...it was a joy to realize our rhythm of hospitality is BACK and we love it. 

Looking ahead to next week we'll be hosting the kids and March's family celebration, so I've chosen not to add another hosting event to the weekend. Next weekend we are hosting Melia's sisters over-night. 

Who should we invite next? And better yet, what are some meals you fix for a crowd? I'm running out of ideas! 

Dad's Appointment and a Meet up with a Trooper

The week was active and fulfilling. 

Wednesday I took Dad to visit his new doctor again. We had some paperwork the home wants on file...after our visit we stopped for lunch at Sophia's Cafe. It was an added bonus to run into Lynette and Erin out enjoying spring break. 

We are pushing through spring break without a pause. Melia is in a good routine, and we are hoping to finish up the rest of this year's courses by the end of this month, so we can add some make up work before next fall. 

Michael and I dropped Melia off at Stacia's college and we drove into Eagle River for church at ACF. Michael preached again on Sunday at WCC - we are happy to have the Wed option. Melia and Stacia went over to the boy's home for a sibling game night. 

I didn't share about our adventure last Wednesday night coming home from church. It was COLD and we discovered my right headlight was out. We tried to replace it with a bulb we had and realized it was the wrong type. We drove on to Freddies, bought another bulb, and Michael again tried to replace it. All this repair work happening in negative temps. This one was also the wrong bulb. We decided to drive home. 

We drove down the highway, through Palmer, out the Old Glenn and were pulling onto our street when we saw bright flashing lights. 

"Do you know why I pulled you over?" 

Michael held up the bulb and told him the story. 

He wanted our proof of insurance and vehicle registration. This is the first time I've been stopped since we moved up here. I was sure I HAD the stuff but not sure exactly which folder or box it was in. 

It turns out our proof was dated 2022. 

Trooper Smith* asked me to find proof online. I began to do that - and, of course, when you are nervous nothing works quite right. 

At this point Trooper notices Michael hands are really shaking. He began to check the back of our car...."Where are you coming from?"

"Church." 

"On WEDNESDAY night at this time?" 

"Well, we had tried to replace the bulb, but yes church meets on Wed and Sunday." 

"Where do you attend?" 

"ACF, have you heard of it?"

"What's in the container?" (Ignoring my attempt to invite him to check out ACF.)

"What container?" 

"On the back floorboard." 

"Mini chimis." 

"Mini chimis from WHERE?" 

"Garcias." 

"Should I go try to get mini chimi's at Garcia's?"

"Sure, if you like them. They are good." 

"Why are you shaking?" 

"I have Parkinsons."  I helpfully add, "Please don't ask him to walk a straight line." 

"Where do you live?"

"The NEXT driveway up."

Shew! Appears Troopers get nervous when they see signs you may be overly nervous. We explained Parkinson's and he relaxed, greatly.  

We came home, fixed the light and this evening went to church again. Hoping Trooper Smith saw us and noted the repaired headlight. 

Man under the hood

We took Livie and Ellie home after church...when Michael noticed the left headlight was out. He'd replaced BOTH bulbs the day before. The old bulb was still in the car, so we put it back in and drove home. It backfired to try to replace both bulbs.

*Names have been changed. 

Noah's Work Phone

 He has a routine. 

He goes to work with "Dada" and he immediately sits at the desk, pulls the phone to himself and hits the number for Bachan. 

"Hello, Bachan." 

"Hi, Noah. What are you up to?"

"I'm busy with dada, Bachan." 

"I'm glad you're home!"

And on the conversation goes. Jared captured part of our most recent conversation. 

I had told him, "I LOVE YOU NOAH," when he responded with "Thank you, Bachan!" 

I've added this number to my contacts as,  "Noah's Work phone."  This way I never ignore the unlisted number thinking it's spam. 

These calls are the highlight of my day - and I think Noah's too. 

Fun with Noah

Noah's back in town!!!! and Jared called to see if we'd like to meet at the Fly Park. Michael woke up with a sore throat. Melia and I were ready to leave the house in time to meet him for an hour of fun. 

Noah was excited to show off his sunglasses...though he wasn't 100% sold on the cool temps. The sun was bright. 

Jared and Noah

Noah and Melia 

He loved knocking Melia off the balancing beam. 

We went to Fruitland after jumping for Dole Whips. 

Jared, Me, Melia, Noah

I believe Jared and Noah went to spend time with cousins after this. Melia and I made a quick stop at Target and got home in time for her to do a bit of homework. 

Stacia has an intensive this week. She has time off work but is spending every day in class. The girls and I collapsed on the couch and watched a couple of episodes of a show we like and then called it a day. 

None of us slept well with the time change. 

A Full Weekend

Saturdays are usually the one day of the week with a chance of sleeping in late...but this week Melia and I left to pick up Benny and Danny. Their mom and dad had a busy day at the church, and it appeared they'd need to miss soccer. I suggested we take the boys to soccer and keep them until Arielle could break loose. 

Melia, Benny, me and Danny

This is Danny's first year to play soccer. I stayed with Danny and Melia stayed at the court where Benny was playing. I was impressed with Danny's coach. She had the boys running drills and practicing skills before the game. She was quick to check on each player's "ouchies."  One little goalie laid down on the floor and cried when he let a goal roll past him. She handled him so graciously, moved Danny into goal and let him run off his emotions on the court. Danny is the little ginger - or as he says the one with "golden" hair. 

He was so excited! Notice the finger in the air? One goal! A good way to start the game! 

 During his time at goalie not one ball got past him. 

Alas, there were no snacks for Danny's team. When Danny's game was done, we made our way over to court 1 to watch the last 15 minutes of Benny's game. This was a much faster game. Both boys' teams won their games. I guess we aren't supposed to notice that fact, but all the boys knew just what the scores were.  

We made our way home for lunch, games, gamers and outside play. It was a busy afternoon. 

The deck was clear last night...lots of snow Saturday and Sunday. 

I fell Monday night getting OUT of the hot tub. No foot ware involved - just hit the icy stairs and slid. Today, I fell face first onto the deck. I WAS wearing boots. Trex is plastic and it's slick when wet! 

Arielle picked up the boys, and I continued on with meal prep. We were excited to have Eric and Ingrid over for dinner. They were the family Melia, and her sisters went too when they left their neighborhood in October. We enjoyed a dinner of chowder, bread, salad and fruit and introduced them to "The Bible is Funny."  Stacia had made enough progress with her weekend "to do" list that she joined us for the evening too. 

Stacia, Melia, Ingrid, Eric, Michael 

Who likes springing forward? Ugh. 

Michael preached this morning for CoRielle's church community.  We were happy to grab lunch with Stacia after church. She was productive all day. The rest of us grabbed naps. Melia did do 40 minutes of homework she hadn't finished on Friday. 

It was a full weekend. 

TGIF

It's Friday and school seemed to take FOREVER. 

I caught snoring a couple times. Melia has a dead pan, grumpy, stoic resting face to beat all. She's scary when you wake her up...and I had to keep waking her up, so she was DOING school and not just resting while the teacher lectured on and on. 

She spent HOURS on pre-algebra today. She took a test twice. 

I got my first big smile of the day when I told her we'd go get a, "TGIF - end of the school week treat" when she was done. 

Honestly, she worked hard...and finally I just said, "ENOUGH," at 3:40 p.m. She can save her 45 minutes or so for Saturday. 

Trudy, Melia, Annie, Jojo, Gideon, Bre, Bella

We went to Bre's favorite coffee drive through and treated ourselves to drinks and took brownies from last night's life group over to Bre's. Trudy's welcome made the day! 

Melia and I left Bre's and ran to Freddies to get a few things we need for tomorrow night. We're having Eric and Ingrid over for dinner. Stacia made chocolate covered fruit "things' on Valentine's Day and Melia is making them sugar free for a treat after dinner. 

It feels like it's been a very long week. I'm not sure why - but we are looking forward to a change of pace for the next couple of days. 

Michael is preaching this weekend and has spent the day in the study. Stacia is out at a college thing. Melia and I will probably watch something from Netflix....hard to play a rousing table game with two and I'm staying away from the hot tub for a while. LOL 

Melia's First Pedi

 I was up early cleaning the house...and starting a spaghetti sauce to simmer all day. I also made brownies, a salad, and cut up a big bowl of melon.  All before lunch. 

After lunch and school, we had an appointment for Melia's first pedicure. She opted for a nice bright red to match her prom dress. I opted for a dark green for St. Pat's month. 

It turns out Melia is a bit ticklish...but she enjoyed the warm water and massage. We'll do this again. 

We had just enough time to set things out and welcome life group members... and after life group, Melia asked a great question, "What's all this Easter stuff about anyway?"