Friday, December 29, 2006

A Christmas surprise!

As many of you know, we have a new home. When we decided to build this house, we were blessed with an opportunity to purchase an unusual lot and build a new floor plan that had never been built before. Our neighborhood is built around a golf course so some of the lots have unusual shapes to them, ours included. Our builder did not have a floor plan that would fit on our lot (until the one we built) so this lot had remained vacant for a couple of years. Because of the irregular shape to the lots, some of the houses are tucked back in and beside other houses. This is where our neighbor’s story begins. When she built her home on one of those lots that is tucked in behind and to the side of our house, it was explained to her that since they did not have a floor plan that would fit on our lot, they had no current plans to build on this lot. When they began breaking ground for our house, she was quite concerned and upset since it was her understanding that they were not going to build a house on this lot. She now has a view of nothing more than the side of our house and our bathroom window! I can understand why she was upset that now they were building on this lot!! Anyway, she has always been very nice to us, but I have hoped and prayed for an opportunity to get to know her better, something to break the ice. We don’t see much of her with our work schedule and the fact that we live in our car on the go more than we seem to live here! Anyway, on Christmas day as my parents were leaving our house, I walked them out and helped them get everything in the car and waved goodbye and came back to the house. The next thing I knew, my dad was back at the door and asked if I had a minute to come outside. I came rushing out afraid something had happened to Mom, only to find our neighbor and her mom at the pick up talking and hugging on my parents! As I approached, she reached out to me and gave me a big bear hug and excitedly said, “I didn’t know they were your parents!” Her mom proceeded to give me a big hug and say, “We just love your parents!” By this time I was up to speed and asked them if they attended Crosstown where my parents go and our neighbor replied, “Oh yes, and your Daddy will always be my elder!” Come to find out our neighbor use to attend Garnett where her husband was an elder until his death a few years ago and she now attends Crosstown where I grew up and my dad served as an elder for 30+ years. Needless to say the ice is now broken and the spring thaw has begun in our relationship! Isn’t God good!

4 comments:

Shane Coffman said...

That's great!

My neighbor across the street is an Alabama fan, so I don't think he likes me too much right now...

Theresa said...

That's awesome!

We have great neighbors, and they have been such a blessing to us. We think this house was a blessing too.

Anyway... I could wax eloquent, but I won't. Love you!!!

Brenda said...

What an amazing story!!!
I went next door a while back after receiving a phone call to help out my neighbor who was having some heart trouble. Come to find out it was nothing more than heartburn but I sat with them until the ordeal passed and she was better and family arrived. After talking a while, I found out they were former members at Memorial and mentioned so many names that I am familar with. They have since started attending another church but we have a great relationship and fun times remembering the who's and when's! It's started a great relationship with several of our neighbors around here. Most of the are seniors and have no kids, but it's fun to hang out with them. They always want to make me 1/2 a sandwhich!

Rick L said...

I could go on all day about my neighbors but I try not to say anything negative about people so its time to be quiet. Actually, they could be a lot worse. They don't have loud parties. And they don't raise goats. That's a plus. As for the question of how to use the exercise ball, it's very easy. Just remember - Jeanne on top - ball on the bottom. If you can do that, you've got it mastered.