Another year for the husband
Wednesday was the husband's birthday. In celebration both of us had taken the day off (I like these kinds of celebrations) and both of us were taken out to Denny's for eats by a ministry mentor/friend (I really like these kinds of celebrations) who wanted to celebrate the ocassion and get to know us better.
This person is so genuinely genial and wise, it is always a pleasure to be in his presence. As he talked with us, inquiring as to how we met, how we are doing with each other, and who we are, it was so 'safe' (a word he liked) talking with him. Within the conversation, he suggested the husband be 'my pastor' and all that entails which he left undefined - isn't that an interesting concept. Too, he suggested we focus on what things we could do to make things better for the other (not what we think we would like to do, but what we are capable within ourselves that would be effective). He also helped us with a difficult conversation we needed to have with one of the kids. As a result that later conversation went far better than originally expected; I was really dreading having it. The husband and I both enjoyed sharing the meal with him - we talked for several hours. I walked away feeling peaceful, hopeful, and more ably armed.
Several of the kids, friends, and family remembered the husband's birthday - he had a lot of phone calls from in state and out of state in which he was sung to among other things. Overall we had a relaxing day together and were the better for it.
Because he is always so hard to surprise, I planned Monday to kickoff birthday celebrations; he thought I was scheming for Wednesday. Our the Ace family friends and we went to lunch at Red Robins. We extracted him from maintenance he was doing at the church with another elder and pre-empted his Costco run. Boy, did we get stuffed - had the tower of onion rings and the chicken crisper appetizer followed by me having fish and chips and he having one of their delicious burgers. (No, I didn't eat it all - we left with 3 doggy boxes!)
Then at their house (which is like being at home) we watched the movie Idlewild with André Benjamin and Paula Patton amongst the stars and the likes of favorites Ben Vereen, Cicely Tyson, Patti LaBelle, Ving Rhames, and Bill Nunn too. It's a very good speakeasy period piece and it wonderfully speaks to a little bit about how God operates. I enjoyed it. We had such a good time we nearly forgot to pick up the youngest on time!
This person is so genuinely genial and wise, it is always a pleasure to be in his presence. As he talked with us, inquiring as to how we met, how we are doing with each other, and who we are, it was so 'safe' (a word he liked) talking with him. Within the conversation, he suggested the husband be 'my pastor' and all that entails which he left undefined - isn't that an interesting concept. Too, he suggested we focus on what things we could do to make things better for the other (not what we think we would like to do, but what we are capable within ourselves that would be effective). He also helped us with a difficult conversation we needed to have with one of the kids. As a result that later conversation went far better than originally expected; I was really dreading having it. The husband and I both enjoyed sharing the meal with him - we talked for several hours. I walked away feeling peaceful, hopeful, and more ably armed.
Several of the kids, friends, and family remembered the husband's birthday - he had a lot of phone calls from in state and out of state in which he was sung to among other things. Overall we had a relaxing day together and were the better for it.
Because he is always so hard to surprise, I planned Monday to kickoff birthday celebrations; he thought I was scheming for Wednesday. Our the Ace family friends and we went to lunch at Red Robins. We extracted him from maintenance he was doing at the church with another elder and pre-empted his Costco run. Boy, did we get stuffed - had the tower of onion rings and the chicken crisper appetizer followed by me having fish and chips and he having one of their delicious burgers. (No, I didn't eat it all - we left with 3 doggy boxes!)
Then at their house (which is like being at home) we watched the movie Idlewild with André Benjamin and Paula Patton amongst the stars and the likes of favorites Ben Vereen, Cicely Tyson, Patti LaBelle, Ving Rhames, and Bill Nunn too. It's a very good speakeasy period piece and it wonderfully speaks to a little bit about how God operates. I enjoyed it. We had such a good time we nearly forgot to pick up the youngest on time!
Awww... Happy birthday "The Other Norman"!!! :)
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