Pastor Jim

Everytime we come to the East coast, we spend at least one day with a pastor friend of ours, Jim Johnson. He is probably my second afro-american friend (behind Kniambi Jones in 6th grade, birthday March 3--haha) seeing as how there aren't a lot of afro-americans where I'm from--at least not compared to the East coast! Anyway, he is a lot of fun, and Andy and I really like him a lot. Tonight he took us out to eat at TGI Fridays. He said something really funny on the way there. He said that everyone should speak in third grade english so that everyone knows whats going on, "otherwise, things just kinda hang out there being all ambiguous and stuff." I thought that was funny, and true. So many times we can misunderstand each other in relationships and in everyday conversations. If we just talked like we would to a third grader, there probably would be more clarity in the world. This reminds me of my favorite word in the English language: nebulous. I remember teaching Paige that word after I discovered it. I don't know which teacher in highschool introduced me to that word, probably Alix P. Martin.

The last two days

Oh my word! The last two days have been so fun for me! Andy and I are out in New Jersey/Pennsylvania/Maryland/Delaware/Virginia this week and next. Yesterday we took a day trip to Lancaster, PA. It is well know for its Amish community. We got there kind of late in the morning, and it was kind of a crummy day as far as the weather, but we wanted to walk around the shops. We were able to go into many neat shops that have the nice Amish woodwork, quilts, jams, jellys, candy, etc. It was really fun to see the horse-drawn buggies, and the little girls running around in their dresses and bonnets. That afternoon we went to Sight and Sound. It was in one word--Awesome!! I can't even describe how much it meant to me to see this drama. This drama team performed the creation story in musical form. It was probably 2 1/2 hours in length. If any of you are ever near Lancaster, I need to tell you to go to Sight and Sound! While we were in Amish country Andy made up this song as we were going down the road. It was so impromptu, and it made me laugh right out loud!


The root beer I want to drink
The woodwork is hard to beat,
Oh! To be Amish!
Oh! To be Amish!

The jelly is yummy to taste
the salsa is even better
Oh! To be Amish!
Oh! To be Amish!

The Amish ride in little buggies
Until they get hit by a school bus
Woe! To the Amish!
Woe! To the Amish!


That song made me laugh so hard--especially since Andy doesn't usually sing. But it was a song just waiting to come out, I guess.

Then today we spent all afternoon with the Gazaways: Jerry, Barb, and Aidan. That was so fun! We met them at Houlihans in the Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, NJ. We had a great time talking about our trip, Aidan, memories, etc. Then they took us to Tom and Mel's house (which they weren't there because they are on a cruise). We talked for awhile, and then Jerry wanted to take us on a "who cares tour" of Camden--except he said that we would care! :) It was disturbing to see the condition of that city--named the second worst city in America, besides Detroit. It just revalidated the need for missions in North America to us! There were a lot of fun times with Jerry and Barb, and we laughed A LOT! It was so fun! But the best line of the night came at supper (at Olive Garden) when Andy asked Jerry when he usually leaves for California in the winter and Jerry said "oh, somewhere between the 31st and the 1st." (meaning 31st of december and 1st of January.) Oh man! Barb and I both laughed! It was one of those times where I could not stop giggling about it--and I felt bad for laughing, I didn't want to make anyone feel bad, but it was so funny!
These last two days have been wonderful. Thank you, Jesus, for family and friends who are as close as family. What a blessing to me at this time!