Heat and a friend-filled week

Praise God we have heat - not that we didn't have heat before, but now we have new efficient-gas boiler-reliable heat. Yes, I'm not even the least bit sad to say that our 1940 coal-converted-to-oil, monster-sized boil now sits in pieces in the driveway waiting to go to scrap metal recycling. Thanks to a lot of hard work by Todd and Tom (where we would be without Tom), it is finished. I laugh when I think about the "adventure." It began on e-bay (yes e-bay), where we found a smokin' deal on a top of the line boiler, and now we have every-room-of-the-house heat.

Enough about the heat... Todd and I attended a small group leader Christmas party Friday night at the Rock office, and that was a lot of fun. We had a white elephant gift exchange, which is always exciting. I eventually ended up with a mini toy motorcycle which Daniel is thrilled to have, and Todd came home with a remote-controlled electronic whoope cushion. If I only had video of him playing with it (by himself) and cracking himself up, I'd post it. I'll see what I can do... He's going to take it to work tomorrow and have some fun with it, and then he's returning it to (Pastor) Jeff. I laugh more at him playing with it than the toy itself.

Last night we had the opportunity to go out to dinner with (Pastor) Jeff and Linda. It was so nice to have them all to ourselves! It made us realize how much we miss hanging out with them on a regular basis. Instead of sharing them with 30-40 other people from the church launch team, now we have to share with about 400, which is a wonderful problem to have, but we miss it just the same.

Daniel spent Friday night and all day Saturday with Josiah, some at their house and some at our house. Josiah turned 10 on Saturday and they celebrated with a group of boys. A good time was had by all!

Adam and I went to Huntington University on Wednesday and talked to Coach Russ. It's official (pretty much, unless God changes the course), Adam is headed off to Huntington to play soccer next year with a possible major in Recreation and Sports Ministry. Hard to believe - where has the time gone? He's ready - I'm not quite, but I still have a little time.

Todd had the opportunity to meet Ashley's parents and grandmother on Friday night and it apparently went well. They ate at Logan's (We ate there last night with Jeff and Linda) and had some time to talk. Todd said that I would get along well with Ashley's mom (Joy also) - we can't wait to meet them!

Weather-wise, this week we've had snow, rain, freezing rain, sleet, ice, lightning and thunder. Is it time for spring yet? By the way, with all of the rain, snow, melting snow, etc., we discovered that when we had our sewage drain replaced this summer, it disrupted, uncovered, created some cracks in our basement wall, so that was Project #1 for Todd today. He has almost everything patched but a small area. He went to the hardware store in town which is usually open from 2-4 on Sunday, and it was dark (you've got to love small towns!), so that will wait until tomorrow...

Famous Dave's and a Christmas Concert

Saturday Todd, Adam, Daniel, Rachel and I traveled up to Mishawaka to visit with Todd Jr and had the privilege of meeting Ashley. Todd and Ashley have recently started dating, and it was wonderful to see the two of them together. Ashley has a sweet, gentle spirit and a beautiful smile. As we pray for them and their relationship, we, in agreement with them, pray for God's best in their lives.

We met at Famous Dave's which is about the best BBQ you'll ever find. In fact, we've already talked Mark and Midge Hinshaw into attending the Christmas concert with us next year after a stop at Famous Dave's.

The Christmas concert put on by the Bethel Music Dept was beautiful. The acoustics were amazing, and the whole concert was outstanding, at least all that I remember. Picture this - A big meal at Famous Dave's, an afternoon concert in a warm, dimly lit concert hall, angelic music - I think Rachel was the only one who made it through without even a snooze. She's my hero! Daniel was asleep before the concert even started and we woke him at intermission. He takes after his mom. The lady in front of me dozed and must have had one of those "falling" dreams and nearly threw her program across the auditorium.

After the concert we said our goodbyes and headed out. There was a winter weather advisory and we wanted to try to get most of the way home before dark. The roads were a beautiful solid sheet of ice from Mishawaka all the way to Fort Wayne. We spent much of the way going about 30 mph. I was so thankful Todd was driving. People were crazy. I guess there were over 50 accidents reported in Fort Wayne alone Saturday afternoon/evening.

Anyway, praise God we made it home safely and with a wonderful day tucked safely in our memories. God is good!