So... we have these wonderful friends. These friends of ours have been a HUGE part of our lives for the past 10 years. ( Can you believe that??) It takes something REALLY special to maintain a beautiful, close relationship when you are miles and MILES apart. But that was then, and this is now... and NOW they live only 45 minutes away.
So, for Christmas, they gave us something really special. They gave us a "HOT DATE":
Which included:
Gift certificate to the Olive Garden (to share a romantic dinner)
Gift certificate to Starbucks (to share an after-dinner treat)
Gift certificate to a Movie Theater (to see the movie of our choice)
AND....
BEST OF ALL...
da da da daaaaaaaa.......
Over 8 hours of FREE Baby-sitting. (Which meant that our children would be in the very best hands).
When we opened our gift, I almost teared up (well alright... I guess I did).
So, this Saturday, we cashed in. And oh... it was so good.
Dinner.
Starbucks.
AND...
We "experienced" the movie, "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader". I say, "experienced", because it was in 3D... and any "Narnia" movie is an EXPERIENCE. In fact, the music you are listening to now is featured in the movie series. The movie was terrific. Now, I may be a tad bit biased, because, you see, C.S. Lewis is, well... a Saint in my eyes.These same friends of ours used to tease me..."one day you're gonna name one of your children "Aslan" or something." If I could get it to sound good with our last name...
Well, anyways, his writings have done for my soul which few have ever done.
Why?
I can't explain with mere words... it's more than words. And that's exactly it... the story paints something that words cannot. It paints, "the Spirit inside who, "sits in the middle and knows." -Robert Frost.
Isn't it incredible that a story speaks more truth and depth than we can wrap our words around? And isn't that just like life? You can try to explain something, fumble around to describe it, or someone, and you know that you are missing it. You simply can't grasp the true essence of what you seek to disclose. It's bigger than that. It's too large to take "take down".
But the beauty in the longing of this "larger than life" awakens my heart.
And I see more clearly.
So, to my dear, dear friends... thank you... for giving us your Saturday, for giving us time to sit and smile at one another, and for giving us an experience that awakens our hearts. We love you.
What thoughtful friends you have. No wonder they've been around for 10 years.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just popped over to tell you, I featured you in my post today. I love your blog and I wanted to send my friends over to love you too.
I can't wait to see what God does in your life and through your writing. You are so very talented.
Blessings,
Sandy
What a wonderful gift, to give and to receive. Glad you had a great time. I'm sure they had fun with the boys too.
ReplyDeleteso lovely blog :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Also, I am hosting my very first contest :) It's personal for the Apple Tea, please visit if you feel like participating at
http://theappletea.blogspot.com/2011/02/contest-pick-header-for-appletea.html
Hi there Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI love Sandy so I know I will love you too!! Your photos are amazing. Your boys are beautiful. And your friends are enough to make anyone with lots of kids and little time weep.
I am looking forward to more.
Lisa :)
Ohh those are the best gifts. The gift of time. It's wondeful you have friends like that!!! I bet it was a gift to them also to spend time with your boys.
ReplyDeleteI came here by way of Sandy Cooper's blog! (Isn't she wonderful?)
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful to have found your sweet blog space, Jenny. So good. I can't wait to look around some more!
And those friends of yours....wow! What a blessing! Isn't time with your husband just such a treat? Love it.
May you be blessed new friend :)
- Kate :)
What a brilliant friends. I need to remember that as my friend just had twins and I could totally make her day like this:) Glad you had an amazing time and kisses
ReplyDeleteAw what sweet friends you have! I'm sure that's the best gift, a little quality time for you and your love! Glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment on my blog!
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just say, it seems like we would be friends? I have read part of your story and I already feel invested. So anyways, I look forward to following you and reading about your journey.
BTW, I am a huge Lewis fan and The Chronicles are some of my favorite books. You're right - there aren't words for the "experience" you feel from reading truth written in such an imaginative way.