good friends
April 15, 2009 | T. Suzanne Eller
Baby showers. Wedding showers. Wedding for my nephew, Mitch. Speaking at a retreat. Speaking at a university. Attending my son’s 1st full marathon in another city. Speaking at two writer’s conferences in Colorado and Pennsylvania. A church board member retreat in Missouri. Graduation commencement for my SIL, Josh, in Arkansas. These are events that fill my weekend calendar from now until mid-June.
All amazing things, but somewhere in that busy calendar something is missing.
Friendship.
When Richard and I moved last year to be closer to the university, we left a community we’d lived in for two decades.
Though our calendar is filled with events and special family functions, we’ve struggled to figure out how to connect with people in our new community, and to keep the bonds strong in our old one.
That’s something we didn’t have to do in our old community, but we are slowly realizing that connecting with new friends is intentional.
So we took two steps this week, long overdue.
We met a cool couple who are pastors of the college campus ministry at the university two miles from us. He’s working full-time as a campus pastor. She’s working full time in a local church as a secretary, and due to have a baby any second tomorrow.
I asked Amanda if she’d like us to host an enchilada and ping pong ministry. (No, you don’t do them at the same time. ♥) I explained that when we lived in Muskogee, some of the most fun times were when people came over and I cooked for them and we ate and played cards and ping pong and games and just hung out. It was relational. It was the best way to talk about faith and life.
Just talking about it makes me realize how much I miss that all over again.
Amanda and Jeff were excited and said yes! So, on May 1st I’m cooking a ton of enchiladas for Amanda and Jeff and 40 to 50 in their campus ministry. We’ll set up the ping pong table. (I love, love to play!) We’ll create a fire pit in the back for S’mores, and I’ll even dust a little around the place to make it homey. The back deck is ready for music and worship and good conversation.
And as busy as my calendar is, I think this is the brightest spot on it.
And this Friday we are having friends over. Old friends from Muskogee that I haven’t seen in at least three years and who I miss. Busy life and distance have kept us apart physically, though the strong bond hasn’t went anywhere.
More cooking. More dusting. I’ll throw a roast, potatoes, carrots in the crockpot and make a fruit pizza for desert. A game of Wii bowling will top off the night!
Can you tell I’m excited?
Yes, my calendar is full. I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon, but the Eller house is going to be full again and that just makes me happy.
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Oh, how well I can relate! We just moved (almost) a year ago…yikes! All of my mommy & me friends remain in my old life and somedays that is really hard. Now my kids are off on the bus in 1st grade and Kinder and I feel such a dis-connect to who they know and play with.
My heart aches for a new friend more local as well…
On a different note…two or more posts below I saw… I ordered your book and I CANNOT WAIT TO DIG IN! I’m beyond excited to read it. I’ll thank you in advance for it, and I’m sure again when I’m done!
Many blessings to you and I hope you are feeling better!
Deborah
April 15th, 2009 at 3:59 pmI really love your blog and have enjoyed reading past posts. Hope you will visit me sometime soon.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:43 pmIsn’t is funny that no matter how busy we get with work and other things that fill up our time…that it all comes back to friends and family being the brightest spot in our lives.
I have never had to move, but I know that a transition like that would really be a hard one! Way to go for stepping out and growing in new relationships with those around you. I always said that God seems to always bring people into our lives just when we need them. Some stay forever, others may float in and out but regardless they leave “footprints” in our heart!
Have fun with the ping pong and enchilada night- you should post your recipe! (and maybe a few pics of the fun!?!?!? lol)
P.S. Your coming to PA? If your near Hershey- make sure to pick up some chocolate!
We have the best!
Blessings to you
April 16th, 2009 at 10:44 amjulie