Plans

We have been purging, packing, patching, painting, and generally preparing for the sale of our house. Honestly, we have been opening some boxes that have been sealed and stored for the entire fours years we have lived here. Life has been busy with other things!

In the process, we have found a stash of old cassette tapes from our teen years and beyond. Amongst the Michael Jackson, New Kids on the Block, Sinead O'Connor, Stone Tempe Pilots, Whitney Houston, Vanilla Ice, and others we found our lost wedding tape. We didn't film our wedding but instead have an audio recording.

We were so excited to listen to the found treasure that, after the kids were in bed, we snuck into the van (our only cassette player) and listened together under a warm blanket. The music filled the van and we heard a voice that has left us. With eyes about to overflow we heard Joan, Matt's aunt and godmother, read the Old Testament. She lost her battle to cancer.

We heard Aunt Jeanie sing beautiful songs and Aunt Marsha read as well.

We listened some more and heard Uncle Bob's words in the homily. He gracefully laced together words to explain how God gives us individual DNA but creates a plan for each of us. How amazing that God led Matt and I to the same summer camp to cross paths. Our love for children with special needs brought us together back then. Today it still brings us together.

So all my stressing and planning about our future may be slightly useful but time and time again I am reminded that God has a plan.

What is God knitting together for you?

Hickory Park

How could you resist a place that smells like hickory wood and sells 5 cent candy from jars. A favorite stop for us on the trek from Nebraska to Minnesota, Hickory Park is an Ames tradition. Ames, Iowa that is.

We had a very unexpected treat this last time though. Our travels put us in Ames right at dinner time with a nasty wind to greet us as we unloaded the rear-end of our van. With a broken down wheelchair we pushed our way into the warm and inviting restaurant. The friendly staff seated us right away and when we asked the kids what they wanted to eat, Eloise replies "I want what smells so good".
We ate BQ pulled pork, grilled cheese, warm applesauce, and buttered corn.

As we were wrapping up with some ice cream orders a manager approached and started with "Don't even try to ask for your bill. A gentleman, who was seated behind you but who is no longer there wanted to get your tab. He was so impressed with your family and how you worked together to help the kids and how well behaved they were during the meal!"

With my cheeks flushed in pink from the huge compliment we said "thank you" We are grateful for the treat at a favorite restaurant but also humbled by the compliment paid to our family.

And someday soon we'll have to pay forward the compliment.