I got to spend the weekend in Fort Smith so this beauty and I could go see Michael W. Smith together at our church ( well it's her church but I still claim it even though I'm now a proud member of one on the opposite side of the state). It was so fun to go down memory lane with his songs and remembering the concert we saw him in 19 years ago on a school night in Tulsa (that was big time!). So here he was in concert in the church where we grew up, found Jesus and both married our husbands. It was sentimental and just plain cool.
When he sang Friends to close the concert there were tears and we hugged. It was the cheesiest, most special BFF moment in that church balcony, ever. I loved seeing old friends after it was over and learning we weren't crying and hugging alone...others were doing the same while he sang it. Ha! Melissa and I are those friends he sings about. He actually sings another song about friends that we akways liked more "Pray for Me" and it used to make us a blubbery mess while in college and moving away and such. I still cry if I listen to it. I love Smitty's voice. He and Amy Grant are my favorite and I want to sing in their choir in heaven! It was just so cool to hear him sing our songs together right there in "our" church!
While I was in the Fort, God decided we needed a little ice storm to slow us down and keep us there. We packed for it, just in case, so Henry was glad to gear up with his sled on what was left of the Ice that afternoon. Playing with Melissa's precious boys made it the most fun. Memories were made that day to last a lifetime. My best snow day memories include her....and there may be a few of my brother in law (before he held that title) breaking my sled! I have forgiven but not forgotten, 30 years later! Ha!!
And this was good stuff. Seeing Mama and giving her extra time to love on Henry. Henry told Marmie he loved her to pieces and pieces. She played baseball with him, sang all her preschool songs to him, read her cool books to him, gave him fun baths and brought out the tub of all his cars and army men. He was in hog heaven! She was too.
Then I had a fun drive home (not). It actually was not near as rough as we all anticipated. I was prepared for the worst. My friend Linda (along with many others) was praying me home and when I sent her this picture, she said it looked like God cleared a path for me. I loved that observation and realized He truly had! I never drove anywhere that did not have a clear path to follow. Henry was an angel in the backseat and we made close to normal time, thankfully. I had a friend and her husband ready on standby to come rescue me with a truck and chains if need be. That's a true friend, right there! My sweet husband was on pins in needles while out of the state in meetings and very proud of my successful journey home. I mean I got major emojis in a text from him...it was serious excitement, people!
This was my street when I drove into town. It's finally starting to thaw out but still no school again tomorrow, but it's going to be 7 degrees when we wake up, so it's fine by me! Henry and I have had a great week of bonding, but I'll be ready to relinquish him back to his Daddy tomorrow night and for us to thaw out!
Abby Jo
P.s. Here is a link to the song I referenced ;)
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