A Most Enjoyable Evening

I did not have the camera with me but

we enjoyed a bit of a progressive dinner

last night.  That was not the original plan.

Our dear friends Jon and Sue, as well as 

Pastor Mike, Warren and I were planning

to meet at Willow Valley for dinner and a 

time of chatting about life at church.  

Warren and Jon are Elders and Sue and I 

were delighted to be included in the plans

for the evening.

We have been friends for almost eleven years.

All of us.  

We have been through so much 

together over the years in a very small church.

Our family had just moved to Lancaster County

when we met Jon, Sue and Mike.  Sue was the 

first to introduce me to our Amish Grocery Outlet

which has saved our family so much money 

over these years.

Anyway, back to last night.

Warren and I were the first to arrive at Willow Valley.

It was dark.

There were no cars in the lot.

Being the brilliant people that we are we got the idea

that perhaps they were closed.

But that made us curious...why?

Turns out it was explained on the door....

Winter hours!

Hmmph!

So, when Jon and Sue arrived we began to hatch

a new plan.  However, a phone call to Mike's Cell

phone brought a new idea.  

Pasquales.

That was a most excellent idea.

We jumped on it right away.

Everyone piled into our van,

Sue in the far back.

She pointed out that she was the smallest

so it was most convenient for her....

Thanks Sue!

For putting me in my place 

and 

for getting into the back.

Friends!

Pasquales makes the best food.

Italian.

I went safe with my usual choice

of Chicken Parmesan, bread and 

a salad with the house dressing.

Yummy!!!

However, we quickly realized that our

hopes of having a serious discussion of

any kind was not happening there.

This was because of a very large table next

to us who were having a very, very good time.

Lots of wine was being consumed and at one 

point the owner came out and offered them 

straws for their bottles.  They could get it 

faster that way....he said.  

Hmmmm......

It was a festive atmosphere but not necessarily 

conducive to the conversation we were hoping to have.

I suggested we head over to Friendly's for dessert.

That suggestion was readily accepted...

So back in the van we went.

Sue, way in the back again.

It turned out to be the 

perfect choice of places.  

We asked for and received a table way in the back and got 

to laughing so loudly as we reminisced

about an event that happened to Jon 

at a wedding reception recently

 that people were turning to 

look at us.  

Oops.  

Now we were the loud ones.

We had a wonderful discussion and are all encouraged

with the things the Lord is doing in our congregation.

It is going to be so exciting to see where He leads 

in the future.  

That is what we depend upon...

His leading.

It is wonderful to spend an evening with people who 

know you so well and love you still.

Old friends are comfortable and fun, indeed.

Have you had an evening 

out with friends lately? 

We do this so rarely because we 

just don't think about it

and get all caught up in our daily lives.

We must do it more....

Look out friends who might be

reading this....

we'll probably be looking for an opportunity to 

spend an evening with you.