a few more years shall roll

Last night, as I was sitting at a circular table crowded with 13 people eating Vietnamese pho at Nam Phuong in South Philadelphia, I realized how much I love food and people together. Really, there is hardly a better way to enjoy the company of a group than while eating food. Something happens when you gather around a table filled with even new and unusual foods that would never happen in a board room. When the 13th person arrived, we were short a chair, so four of us girls squeezed onto three chairs, and it was fine. We laughed, talked, and enjoyed each other. It was an unofficial team meeting for our group heading off three weeks from today, and as Jonathan said, “We’re going to be doing a lot of this, so get used to it.” Andrew was back from his trip to Japan, so he had us laughing with tales of electric baths and embarrassing subway rides.

I felt bad having to leave less than two hours after we arrived, but Kristi had a train to catch, and Tim wanted to watch the tipoff of the Spurs-Pistons game. I went home happy.

In my family, the eating portion of dinnertime goes by like a flash. In fact, I often think of all the time my mother would take to prepare a meal, and how quickly it would be in 7 stomachs. The ratio seems off. But, I love how we sit around the table for so long after dinner, with dessert and coffee, just chatting and laughing. I wish I could have done that last night, too. I think it’s good preparation for traveling again and ultimately, for the great banquet to come.

My posts are few and far between these days. I had a great time at the baby shower for robyn, enjoyed a lovely day on Saturday with Steph and Gary at their final yard sale. They managed to get rid of quite a few things, although there was still a lot left when I headed out. And, beside two lovely chairs, I got a sunburn. That’s what I get for not wearing sunscreen on a beautiful sunny day. I’m still a nice shade of pink.

Time is moving quickly towards our departure abroad–just three weeks and a few days before we take off. It’s been fun to get to spend more time with the team members, and that time is making me really look forward to our time away together.

I’m posting just to say I posted, I think.

When I was a college student, my main transport home was Amtrak, from 30th Street Station to Harrisburg, PA, where my family would pick me up. A quick two hour ride through Pennsylvania countryside and I could be at home. And, the biggest bonus: my family didn’t have to drive into Philadelphia traffic (they still don’t like to do that!).

Although I occasionally take the train to NY, DC, or even once to Williamsburg, VA for work, I don’t think I’ve taken it to Harrisburg since college. It’s usually quicker and more convenient for me to drive. But, tomorrow, I am heading home for a baby shower for my brother and sister-in-law and the next day my sister Abby was planning to come visit me anyway. So, I’m loading up with work and my laptop and catching the midday train to Harrisburg. I might even pay the extra six bucks to get a reserved seat in business class.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend one of the best weddings I’ve been to in a while. If you know me at all, you know that I like things to be simple, but meaningful. Jason and Nicole, two future “workers” overseas, met this year in training in Dallas, and got engaged in February. The wedding on Saturday was a joyous celebration of their love and the covenant love of God. The bridesmaids carried oil lanterns to symbolize the aniticpation of the return of the Bridegroom. They had six friends read from 1 Corinthians 13 in six different languages–none of which was English. Most of the music was beautiful hymns–the bride walked down the aisle to Praise My Soul the King of Heaven, and we (the congregation) got to sing one of my favorite hymns, How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place.

We went right upstairs to fellowship hall for a simple reception with international desserts, fruit, nuts, coffee, and punch. My friend Joyce, created several beautiful floral arrangements–she is so talented!–and managed to make the reception run effortlessly. It was a quick reception, but everyone was having a great time, catching up, chatting, laughing. Further confirmation to my theory that sit-down receptions are NOT necessarily better (and have the potential to be worse).

At 9:30, they left to the light of sparklers (a good idea in concept, although not as beautiful in execution–smoke inhalation and sparks near flammable clothing . . .).

Many blessings to Jason and Nicole!