Loving People: Dallas Friends Old and New (Part 2)
/A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
John & me with Mike q daniel / grace tribe
As we entered our beloved Dallas, anticipation was high…former home, birthplace of our beautiful daughter Beth, home of our beloved church (McKinney Bible Church) from many years gone by, precious friends “unseen” for 30+ years, and new friends in the Grace community (leaders and members of Network 220 and the Grace Tribe).
I had a book table at the Network 220 conference, as in recent years. This time though, the Lord gave me a creative idea to combine my love for crocheting with my love for sharing the Lord in writing. Why not do a raffle?
Buy a book. Put your name in a drawing to win this “Ocean Wave”…
Two “Ocean Wave Blankets” were complete. I had often sold these “waves” or given them as gifts (in particular to friends facing medical crises, surgeries, etc). So now one became the raffle prize; but the other, ???????? Little did I know that this “God-inspired idea” would pave the way for a…
Divine Encounter at Jan’s Book Table
john & cory
John and I were standing near the book table chatting with folks when Cory came along. He admired the Ocean wave and told us it was like a wooden wall hanging in his home. As we continued to converse, he told us his story of his journey with stage 4 brain cancer and cancer on his spinal cord. After months of radiation and chemo and several surgeries, he was in remission. He then spoke with great affection, admiration, and appreciation for his lovely wife Tiffany who has supported him through it all… and then his three precious children and serious health issues with one of them.
As Cory was sharing his story, the Lord was nudging and speaking to my heart, “Blanket #2 is for Cory.” And so it was!
Cory was delighted, and he gave it as a surprise gift to his beautiful Tiffany when he returned home. She loved it.
Our Abba Father had showered us with overwhelming JOY — giver and receivers alike … and the glorious thing is: Cory came to the conference as part of a small study group of men, whose leader is sharing the unconditional love and grace of God in Christ with them.
tiffany & cory
“Old” Friends in Dallas
I’ve never been to a class reunion, have you? And as I’ve gotten older, I hesitate to always try to connect, as in the past, with old friends. Things like age-ed appearance changes, differences of opinions/positions, family problems and crises —all kinds of unhealthy comparing can hold me back from receiving and loving on others from the past.
Well, if I’m truly learning to love my neighbor and show “hospitality” (see previous posts), I’m also learning to rest in the Lover of my soul and step into each relationship, confident that HE does the loving as I let HIM love through me. And when I do, it is filled with joy.
Kerby & Suzanne Anderson
kerby & suzanne anderson
Kerby and Suzanne Anderson were casual friends at McLean Bible Church in VA, where John was a youth pastor back in the late 1970’s. By God’s design, both of us couples moved to the same neighborhood in Garland, TX. Suzanne and I were having babies at the same time in the same hospital. So our Beth and her Jonathan are the same age.
John was a student at DTS and part-time engineer at that time. Kerby was part of Probe Ministries and is now the President of Probe and host of Point of View Radio. So it was fun to meet up with them to talk family (Suzanne and me) and to get a guided tour of the Hope Center where both Probe and Network 220 are “housed,” along with many other important ministries. Kerby generously gave us several of his books, and I gave Suzanne copies of mine.
What a lovely visit … not long enough. But by God’s grace, more by phone or next year in person again?…or in heaven. So glad we didn’t hesitate to reconnect.
at my book table
John & Stephanie Fasolino
after church picnic with stephanie & John
John and Stephanie are another couple we met back in McLean Bible Church in Virginia. They actually were newly married and had just moved to VA from my home state of NJ. They had volunteered to help us with the junior high program at church. In order to get to know each other and plan together, they had invited us to their home for supper. They brought out their wedding album to share with us. Imagine my surprise, when as I turned page by page, I came across a familiar face. It turns out that their officiant at their wedding was my cousin … Fr. Stanley Adamczyk!!!! We had a great laugh of amazement.and have been friends ever since.
So when John F. took a job transfer to Dallas, they moved to Allen and became part of McKinney Bible Church, our church while we lived there. We were already in Ohio by then.
But at the end of the conference and before leaving Dallas, we decided to worship with the Fasolinos at McKinney Bible Church after 30-plus years. It was so precious to take communion together and see a few of our brothers and sisters in Christ from “way back when.”
And also it was a joy to meet many of the seven adult Fasolino children and grandchildren. We had been invited to stay for the monthly picnic following the service. What a blessing to see the beautiful fruitfulness that Lord has brought forth in the family of our dear friends.
YOUR TURN, Dear Reader
Can you remember having a “Divine Encounter” that made you realize that it was the work of God? When? Where? What happened?
Have you hesitated to connect with old friends for any of the reasons I mentioned above? Why? If there is an opportunity now or soon when you can connect and sense the Lord nudging you into that opportunity, step into it. Trust the Lord to do the living and loving as you do the letting…
Journal what happened.
We are HOME now … but not until a lovely stopover in O’Fallon, IL with Beth and Nate and their beautiful “babes” (our glorious grands: Kaden, 21; Eli, almost 16; William, almost 11; Claire, almost 9).
We were able to celebrate Mothers’ Day at June’s, a favorite place in Shiloh, IL
Claire, beth, “Babci,” william
kaden, “poppi,” eli, nate
