GIFT'S & SURPRISES

Where does one begin on a Saga (Any long story of heroic deeds)  like this one?  At the beginning!!

This one began with our oldest son's gift of a 1st Class flight on American Airlines to visit him (David) and Karin in their lovely San Francisco condo.

David first invited us to come in early spring, but with my just beginning a new Small Group Class, for the first time, at our church we did not feel we could leave at that time.  Over the summer we kept trying to find a time to go and as Mickey & my 54th (yes 54th!!) anniversary was approaching on October 4th we decided that would be a perfect time for this trip and special celebration.

I have had in my heart to somehow, sometime, someway, make a trip to visit our wonderful blog friends, Danny & Kathy Wright who live in Phoenix, who spent a few days with us over July 4th, 2011.

SO - I called David and told him I had a request.  Since he was flying us to California, would it be possible for him to first fly us into Phoenix for 2 days and then into San Francisco.  His response, "Sure Mom!!  But why do you want to go to Phoenix?"  I explained and the wheels were set in motion.

Step #2 - I privately e-mailed Danny and told him I wanted to pay a surprise visit to Kathy and to show up at their worship service on Sunday morning.  He answered me back and was excited about the event and asked him if he could share it with Mary Lee Glassman, their very close friend who is like family.  I did not know Mary Lee well, but did know her a little bit from fb and that was totally agreeable with me,  So Mary Lee and I were in contact, by e-mail,  as all the details were put together.  It could not have been done as smoothly as it was had it not been done with Mary Lee's help.  The added benefit, Mary Lee is now a good friend!!

The three culprits, in our see no evil (Susan) , hear no evil (Danny), speak no evil (Mary Lee) pose.

 Susan & Mickey as we are leaving our son's (Marc) home in Owasso early morning, September 29th, for our 6 a.m. flight.  We drove to Marc's home in Owasso to leave Mickey's new/old pick-up and for him to take us to the airport.  Praise God for a son who will arise at 4 a.m. on a Saturday morning to help and accommadate his parents.  Side note - We are blessed with the best kids!!

We arrived in Phoenix at 9:10 a.m. and since we decided we didn't want to spend the day at a motel or movie, etc., waiting for Sunday church, when we could be spending it with these dear precious friends and their 2 children Danny came up with the idea of our showing up at their house for coffee.  He additionally got Kathy out of the house for a short time under the pretense of visiting some garage sales.

Mary Lee picked us up at the airport - (she had generously offered, in the very beginning, to be our "wheels" and that we didn't have to rent a car) .  She has a key to their home to let us all in. Bethany & Daniel were home and Danny had told them just before they left what was going on.  

So Mickey & I are quietly, and nicely sitting on a love seat in the living room with Mary Lee beside the love seat.  Danny & Kathy come in through the garage door and Kathy proceeds into the kitchen and is doing things.  

 After a few minutes she starts for this living room.  Here is Kathy in total shock!!!

 Danny, Mickey & Kathy having a good chuckle that we had pulled off such a great surprise. Here is Kathy's fb post from this wonderful morning: It takes a lot to pull a surprise off on ole' Kathy, but these 3, Mary Lee Glassburn, Danny Wright, and Susan Errett Joyce have done just that. Susan and her beloved Mickey are our dear friends from Coweta, Oklahoma whom we came to know thr

ough Danny's and Susan's early blogging adventures. Our connection in Christ drew us into a very easy and deep friendship, and finally last year (summer to be exact) Danny and I and the children had the blessed opportunity to spend a few days as Mickey and Susan's guests in their home in Coweta. It was like a reunion even though it was our first face to face meeting. Lo and behold, Susan (the most adventurous one out of all of us) got an idea to come and see US, and here they are! I had NO IDEA they were coming, and I cannot even begin to explain my delight and joy. We are looking forward to the next two days with our dear friends. Folks, we're talking WEEKS of a really well kept secret. I am loving this!

 
  

 Susan, Mickey, Mary Lee, Daniel, Bethany, Danny & Kathy at Meme's Cafe Saturday evening.  All who know me know how I love & treasure, "Breaking bread together" with dear Christian friends.  We were all 7 blessed to do so 3 times during this brief visit:  Here at Meme's on Saturday evening, Kathy serving us a wonderful meal on Sunday after church at their home, and on Monday morning at Denny's for brunch before catching our 2:30 plane on to San Francisco. 

 Sunday morning Mary Lee, along with Brethany & Danial, picked us up and took us to Covenant of Grace Christian Fellowship where they all worship and serve our Lord.

 Kathy leading worship, at the keyboard, Danny to the left (didn't get him in the picture due to the lighting) on the drums.  Kathy did say she was glad we surprised her at her home on Saturday and not in Church, during worship, on Sunday.  She felt she might have "lost it" had that occurred.  God always works out the "details" best!

 The three bloggers, fb'ers, Danny, Susan & Kathy in front of the additional building at their Phoenix home on Sunday afternoon. 

Monday morning Mary Lee picked us up at our motel and the 5 of us got to spend more delightful time with each other at Danny & Kathy's lovey home (pictured below). 

Bags packed and on the curb and final picture of Mickey & Mary Lee as she prepares to drive us to brunch and then the airport.  Mary Lee even took a days vacation on Monday to do this!!  What a new, dear, precious friend you are Mary Lee.  Thank you again!

The next post will continue this wonderful trip with our time in San Francisco with our #1 son David who made it ALL possible.

Thank you David and thank you Lord Jesus for giving me yet another "desire of my heart!".