house church things

Last Sunday we went to a Randy and Mary's house. Tony had met them once or twice. I never had but he spoke highly of them, and had been emailing Mary a little. One of the times when Tony met with them, he also met Alvin and Margaret, We had then to our home over a month ago, with their youngest child, Eleanor. They we really easy to get along with and they also brought a simple salad, but it was made with lots of vegetables, lettuce being a minor ingredient. It was really good.

At Randy and Mary's house there was also another couple, Chuck and Jackie. They're nice and are fairly involved with their church, but they want to move to Texas. She is noticing that the church, even though they have given the church plenty of money, that the church isn't there for them in return. And I'm sure that's true. Alvin talked about his job situation. We picked them up because their car wouldn't start. Chuck and Jackie offered to take Alvin's family home, which was really nice because Mina had to sit on my lap, without a seatbelt so that we could all fit, this while driving on 170. We talked about how we should be, as house church people.

This week we went back. Jackie wasn't there because she went to Tennessee for a wedding. Alvin brought his other children, Addison and Mya. They were really cute. The kids took a while to warm up, but eventually were talking quietly together. They took turns playing Mina's DS. Alvin and Margaret ended up getting a minivan that would've cost them $900 but they got it for free. The air doesn't work and they're in need of some kind of gasket that will cost $1700, but I believe that either it will be fixed for them, or this car is temporary and when it dies, another will be there for them. Alvin is trying to find work, but is having a hard time. I think he wants a job where he can get paid for his ministry. He feels like he won't have enough time to work a normal job and still have time to give his all to helping people. We also had our first communion with them. Margaret brought Mogen David wine, which was really sweet and good, and I think maybe Chuck brought bread. Maybe not. We had dinner with that. It was a nice time.

Next week we're going to Greg and Kathryn's. Not their house. Kathleen is getting baptized, which is awesome. I think we're going to a hotel to do it. Travis and Roberta came into town from Texas. Their hotel might have a pool.

Saturday, we went to Miriam and Allan's wedding. It was very simple. They had a big wedding party. They both wore sandals. Roberta played the guitar and sang before the wedding and while they walked up and back down the aisle, and after the wedding while everyone cleared out. The reception was normal except that we got to eat right when we got there. It was like a cafeteria line. I've only been to receptions where the bridal party, then the family, then everyone else goes to eat. I found out that Miriam has three Japanese siblings. I think two brothers and one sister. The oldest brother was cool, with japanese anime hair and a skinny torso. I almost did the dollar dance with Allan but then it felt embarrassing. Mina met a boy, maybe named Josiah. He's 10, lives in Wisconsin, goes to a christian school, and Mina says he's cute. Also, there were these great origami decorations on the tables. Little birds and some balls kind of shaped like the Epcot ball. It was typical though. Macarena, Cha Cha Slide, the Chicken Dance. I'm guessing we left around 4:30.

It was my family's convention this weekend. Leah asked me if it felt weird knowing that they're at the convention and I'm not. I said it can a little, but I don't always know when they're assemblies are. And since my weekend just feels like any other weekend, I don't notice too much. But for them, the convention is an event. Me not being there has to be weird. This year is the first convention I have ever missed. In 28 years. THAT is weird. Leah said she misses me most when she doesn't see me at the assemblies, because it's smaller, like 700 people, and we used to sit a few rows in front of them. Mina would sit with them for the second half sometimes. It makes me sad that it has to be this way. And yet I feel good about my decision. It's bittersweet.

In less than two weeks we're going to Jeremy and Erika's wedding. Tony is officiating. Gil is Jeremy's best man. We're staying in cabin. We'll leave Friday, around noon, and come back Monday, late afternoon. It's a 6 hour drive. Gil and LeAnn are coming here, maybe to our house. We'll have to take two cars, but we'll probably trade people so we can have more fun. I haven't talked to Gil in at least 2 weeks. I've been trying to stay off of Skype because it's distracting. I did talk to LeAnn, just about the trip plans. I'm excited about it now that I've got my clothes shopping done.