anglea-lange homefront news: Birthday Weekend

^"But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved,

that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years,

and a thousand years like one day."

II Peter 3:8

Time is an interesting concept to me right now...I'm struggling to "enter" back into the American time frame of mind. I have to say the extra hour we gained by "falling back" Saturday night was a blessing! It seems as though life is moving so quickly. When Tom was alive, life was slower, calmer and we never hurried. I miss that...but I miss Tom more. It's hard to believe a year ago we were in Mt. Vernon, Ohio for the MVNU Autobrokers Basketball Invitational, reeling from the latest reality that Tom was now paralysed on his right side. This year, back at the same tournament and reeling from the reality that Tom wasn't with us. Zac, Sarah and I left Columbus late Friday afternoon and headed to Mt. Vernon to check into our hotel and then out to dinner. A very special surprise greeted us in our room...an edible fruit arrangement and container of homemade chocolate chip cookies from my Grace Group!! I would share a picture, however I forgot to take one! The fruit arrangement was in a ceramic basketball container...what a clever and thoughtful gesture from an awesome group of friends...THANK YOU!

We met up with my brother, Mike, Cheryl, Morgan (her friend, Kody), Braden, my sister, Kelly and Terry for dinner at Parkside Diner. They sat us at the very table we enjoyed Tom, Matt and Zac's birthday dinner just a year ago! Every step of this journey is a continued 'over-coming' of sorts and God is meeting me at each step, allowing me to breathe in His grace as I have wonderful memories of our times past.

It was a great start to Matt's season watching the MVNU Cougars beat OSU-Newark 76-62. We called it a night and headed back to the Mt. Vernon Inn. What perfect accommodations for us on the eve of Tom's 50th birthday. We woke in the morning to breakfast aromas beckoning us to come eat. What a beautiful dining room filled with God's sunshine to warm us and remind us of His presence. Not only was the food delicious and the conversation sweet, BUT Zac surprised both Sarah and I with special notes and Pandora beads for our bracelets, in honor of Tom. Sarah received the "dad" bead and Zac chose a diamond cross to remind me of Christ's redeeming love! The tears were flowing!

Mike and Cheryl also spent the night in Mt. Vernon and met back up with us Saturday morning for wonderful conversation before we headed to campus to see Morgan's room then head downtown for some antique window shopping. As I browsed through the antique shop my mind was continually on Tom and each thing I seemed to see reminded me of him in some way...GI Joes, Coke bottles, etc. What we enjoy today will end up in an antique shop someday...old, worn out, dusty and of not much use!

We were back in the gym for game #2 by 4:00 ready to cheer Matt and the Cougars onto another victory. A tighter game but with good results...MVNU beat Ohio Christian University 77-75. This is a good start to the season. Thanks to Travis, Emily, Tim, Lauren, Andrew and Erin for making the trip to the game. We then went to Donato's Pizza to celebrate Matt, another year and another victory.

Happy 21st Birthday Matt!

Family - priceless

Matt was able to come home with us Saturday night. We enjoyed worship together Sunday morning and then a restful day at home. Sarah and Matt went to the early voting precinct only to find the lines wrapped around the building! Not the way they wanted to spend their Sunday so they came home and will fight through the lines on Tuesday to vote. Terry, Kelly and Zac were able to come over Sunday afternoon to have cake and ice cream before Matt had to return to campus.

There is so much to be thankful for....from my thankfulness journal:
#1276 - visit and sunshine tulips from Suzanne Homoelle

#1277 - antibiotics for sinus infection
#1278 - Carylee Meyers bringing me Panera soup & salad when I didn't feel well
#1279 - time with Sarah
#1280 - Stephanie LaMonte bringing me homemade butternut squash soup, cornbread & tea when I didn't feel well
#1281 - the Deskin boys and friends raking my leaves
#1282 - Edible Arrangement
#1283 - chocolate chip cookies
#1284 - Parkside Diner
#1285 - MVNU Victory #1
#1286 - Jerry, Sue, Curt, Tiffany, Terry, Kelly, Mike, Cheryl, Morgan, Kody & Braden cheering for Matt
#1287 - Mt. Vernon Inn
#1288 - Pandora beads from Zac
#1289 - tears
#1290 - conversation
#1291 - Mike & Cheryl's amazing godly attitudes
#1292 - Antiques
#1293 - MVNU Victory #2
#1294 - Travis & Emily carrying new life...Annie
#1295 - Donato's Party Room
#1296 - Brennan's keeping Addy
#1297 - cake and ice cream
#1298 - encouragement notes from Sue Merrin