we'll start on wednesday. I met two great friends Dom and Liz for lunch at Jess' Quick Lunch on court square. Which was followed by pumpkin ice cream at Klines. It was wonderful to catch up with them and share such a great lunch. Leaving the lunch I was happy and I can say now, Dom and Kevin were great roommates and friends and I was blessed to live with them for the time I did. Not to mention that their wives make up a group I am more then proud to be a part of: the headlights.
I arrived home shortly after that to spend time with my parents and wait for Ash and Ryan to arrive with Brinks for the holiday. They arrived and we ate chili and dairy/gluten free pumpkin pie, which was quite good (it helps that I love rice pudding and gingersnaps. We watched Wall-e and relaxed. Ash brought treats from Eileen's, which secured it as my favorite bakery, hands down. After all the festivities Mom Ash Ryan and I played a very intense game of rumi cube. I love thanksgiving in all parts and this one was a top performer.
I left friday morning to stop in Lex, pick up Kari and held to Cinci. I love this place. We arrived to the hoopla of the apple store to see Mandy helping someone fulfill their ipod dream. We headed to Deweys and got good gourmet calzones. The next morning an event happened I've been waiting a few years to accomplish, I adventured around Jungle Jims. I loved it, everyone was right, I knew they would be. Ate at Green Papaya, sushi is growing on me and so is spicy asian food. Then Kyle came over to Mandy's and we dominated at scene it, yentil, it's all I need to say. We then (Mandy Kari Tex and I) awaited Tee's arrival and then head to LaRosa's for pizza and toasted pepperonis. Now for the event of the evening... Festival of Lights. We ran around the zoo like happy children, see all the great animals and light shows. Jumping pictures were the laugh highlight. Then it was off to Hofbrauhaus for german beer and good times. Mike and Sara arrived and lead us in a riveting game of 10 fingers. Tex and Kari stayed in kentucky, and we all headed back to OHio. Gameday, sunday. watching the game not fun. Hanging out with Kevin, well worth it. and I had rain paints which kept me dry. After the game we headed to meet Josh, Kyle and a surprise Caitlin at a very matter of fact restaurant. CHINA FOOD. and it was china food and good. I got everyone but Josh to order egg drop soup, which is a good chinese soup. I had breakfast this morning at Brueggers with Joe and we caught up on life and the Lord and it was good.
If I could sum up my time in cincinnati with a word, it would be replenishing. This is a big city that I feel comfortable in, a community that I love and have a place in. People I love and desire to love better each time I am with them. It is easy to say I have a place in finneytown I can call home, I even feel like the town is a second home town. Kevin Josh and Kyle are guys I love to spend time with and hear about their lives and want to share mine with them. Joe never ceases to amaze me with his openness and willingness to share, its encouraging and challenging. The Bengals break my heart but I love them nonetheless and know they will succeed. It's a place I could spend days just seeing people and thanking them for being a part of my ministry and life and for sharing their city with me, so know all of you are loved and cherished.
The drive home was longer than normal due to the weather. On an honest note I prayed more and laid my heart in to God's hands during this trip, winter weather is my favorite to watch on tv but not drive in. Needless to say from the tamarak till lewisberg I told the Lord I trusted him and asked him (maybe told) to end the snow, and he did, the road cleared up and as we entered Virginia the sun came out. Leaving the tam I had insisted Tex not wait for me because I would not be driving fast enough for him, he didn't. He passed me a little before the snow started and then remained there at 45 mph until the snow subsided. I had 5 people with me in my car, my mom praying from Harrisonburg, the lord calming me through it, Tex and Kari guiding me out of the weather and Sandra McCraken singing to me about Jesus. without all of them I don't really know what the storm would have been like, I probably would have stopped or broken down (me not my car, she's a champ) and just gotten angry but i didn't. as we exited the storm I checked my phone for service to call my mom and let her know I was almost home and out of the bad weather. but I had a text that just said "we are here". I don't know when exactly it was sent but I'm glad it was. I sent thanks back and then began to cry, really just a few tears because I got myself back together and laughed at the Lord and what he did there. I am blessed with a Family that loves him and me and I can enjoy in all things. I have friends who don't mock me for my fears but help me through them and laugh with me at my ridiculousness. I have places that God has given me to see him and see him clearly.
This is a long post to talk about thanksgiving but I needed to get it all out and put into writing the blessings I've been given as to not doubt them or minimize them. He is a good God, I said that many times today and without a doubt it is my favorite way to describe him. He is good and I love him.
a small note: all the mention of food is important, 1. because its part of me and 2. I'm learning more and more that my love of food and the gift I have of creating it are from the Lord and I thank him for it. I won't down play my ability just up play who has given it to me. So when talking about thanksgiving food must be mentioned because I am thankful for it.
