Sunday Visit: Family, Laughter and Stories

Much uncertainty about whether to travel from London and Milton Keynes, or not.  Not so much whether it snows or not, but "are the roads slippery?"  Especially those off the free-way.

Dani and Mikkel arrived first, stamped their feet (not in a tantrum!) but to get rid of the snow - we were overjoyed to see Dani again and to meet Danish Mikkel, Dani's boyfriend.  (Is Dani also Danish?!).  It is always pure joy to have visitors that you really like!

Then Michael and Isabelle; Josie and Evie arrived - and soon our little place was bulging at the seams, in the best of ways. Although even with these limitations we still visualise Jason and Liesl and Josh and Jesse being with us!
Our joy had a special flavour, as our visits with our Schmidt family from their UK home, are running out at an alarming speed.  In just a little more than two weeks they will move back to Germany for a few months and then on to Japan - and take our granddaughters with them!   (Of course we would love the Pappa and Mamma to stay too.....)  We have to remind ourselves in deliberate ways to "Count our blessings one by one" and be surprised at what the Lord has done over the last three years and have thankful hearts.

Josie is kissing Dani

So interesting to hear about Dani and Mikkel's travels to all parts of the world:  theirs not a quick stay over, but working in places. And swopping stories about all the countries, and cultures.  For example:  how very polite the Japanese are and if one had to say "there is a little problem" that statement should be magnified to get to the true meaning.   Extra interesting because soon Michael will be working in Tokyo, DV and the German and Japanese cultures could make for an entertaining mix!

Mikkel, Dani and Isabelle

Gordon said grace and we tucked in (Danish!) smoked gammon, grilled chicken, etc and later the wicked Malva Pud.  More important, by many a mile,  are the people!  Dani brought Lindts and Evie had her first chocolate, without us noticing at first.  She was sitting on my lap and we thought she was just playing with it till someone else noticed her  precious half-brown baby-face! Gestures for more of that stuff in the crinkly paper, informed the adults:  Lindt choccies beat all other teething rings.
Josie, dressed in her party dress and at almost three, was formally introduced to Auntie Dani and Uncle Mikkel as you would introduce adults.  We picked that little tip up before our children were born:  it is always fun to do.  Josie took to Dani who is not only creative in her job but also in her interactions - loved seeing that.  By the way Josie also tucked into a round chocolate ending up looking like a little chipmunk!

Togetherness Shabalala (Gordon)

I had plans for party/science tricks spotted on a friend's blog, but all we eventually fitted in was a Hippy hippy shake dance, a few photos and Gordon as Togetherness Shabalala about his first terrifying "flight" as taxi-driver:  not for him, but for his passengers who at one point end up in a warm intimate heap at the front of the "people carrier".  I have laughed at that reading and my hubby in the African mask at least 50 times!  Josie was initially perplexed but soon knew it was Gordon (unlike the time her Gwamps was Father Christmas!)



The time flew much faster than usual - a scientific fact!  All too soon we HAD to  say our goodbyes.  Michael carried a beautiful glass-top table up the steps and it fitted just perfectly.  The fruit-bowl and pot with red miniature roses Dani brought, together with a lit candle looked so good on it.  We are spoiled and blessed!

Dani and Mikkel and us were telling African stories about snakes and sharks; spiders and hippopotami and us changing a flat wheel (hurriedly) while the lions were hunting. And remembering Jonathan on his boogie board in Jeffreys Bay, his first experience of dolphins swimming around him, which should have been just wonderful, but....he thought the fins belonged to sharks!
After a people-day like today, we can understand why hospitality is such an important part of Christianity.