Friday, April 16, 2010

Coffee Time - How I Survived My Week


My last posting was done right before I left on a 3 day trip to visit my daughter, Ashley, in college. I LOVE 3-day weekends, but they do make the following week a little more challenging, don't they?!

We left home Saturday after lunch and caught up with Ashley while she was working the dinner shift at Bob Evans. We had a relaxing dinner, delivered her Easter basket and homemade goodies before heading out to find her boyfriend of 1 year, TJ. He was back at his dorm studying. We dropped by to deliver some goodies for him, as well. Then my husband made a phone call to another student, a young man named Benjamin that we had only met once before - when he was three-years-old.

On Friday night I had been reading through some email and found a newsletter of friends from college who are now missionaries to Albania. In the email was the news that their 21-yr-old son had just transferred to the same college my daughter was attending! I contacted my girlfriend and asked for her son's cell number and a list of his favorite treats. So, after 18 years we met up with Benjamin at his dorm and delivered an armful of his favorite things with some homemade goodies thrown in! What a treat it was for me to bring some joy to Mary (Benjamin's mom) and to this young man!! I was giddy with excitement just being able to do something for someone so far away. As the mom of a college student, it really means A LOT to me when someone does something kind for my girl...and she only lives 3 hours away. Mary doesn't have the opportunity to send treats to Benjamin halfway around the world so it was a privilege/honor to be able to do something that would bless them both. I love when God gives us those opportunities!!

We spent Sunday and Monday going to my daughter's new church, playing card games, swimming, lots of eating and just enjoying each other's company. We had Benjamin and his girlfriend join us for a couple of meals along with a few other kids added to the mix. It was a three-day party of sorts and I loved every minute of it!

Then back to reality. :) Tuesday morning we jumped back into our weekly routine, but we still haven't quite caught up on the sleep or the laundry. Not too high a price for me though. I'll take hanging out with Ashley and her gang over sleep/laundry any day of the week!

I survived my week by sharing a lot of love with kids who are frazzled by studies and work. I hope they got the respite they needed; I know it was good for me.

My girls in TJ's jeep after church

Having too much fun eating out!

(from left around table: Ted (Rhett's friend), Rhett, Mark, Tara, Ashley, TJ & Katie)

Share some coffee and chit-chat with friends via Rachel Anne at Home Sanctuary!

9 comments:

Heidi said...

Oh I love this post! It gives me hope that there is joy even after the daughter leaves for college- I can visit her and take her to lunch! I must remember that.

Great the part about Benjamin. I love it that you were outgoing enough to look him up and bring him treats. That's me, I would have loved doing that too.

Yes, it is hard to get back to reality after long, wonderful weekends such as this.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

OH, how well I remember those days and I agree, it was such fun and worth whatever the cost was! I felt blessed to have two children that never outgrew enjoying time with us, sounds like your are that way too. Have a great week-end and God's richest blessings to you !

MrsJenB said...

What a great weekend you had! And how sweet it was to include Benjamin in the festivities - I'm sure it totally made his day when you gave him those goodies.

I used to love it when my best friend's parents would visit and include me as if I were part of the family, it's such a great feeling to feel accepted and cared about.

Nel said...

What a wonderful time you had! Thanks for sharing it with us!

until next time... nel

Jewel said...

I so enjoyed reading this post, Angie, and hearing about your great weekend with the kids, esp. your daughter!
And indeed what a blessing to be able to minister to a missionary's child while they are on the field working for the Lord! That is so awesome!
Hope you can get some needed rest soon and get caught up BUT I know from experience that being around young people can energize you, no matter how old you might be!! :-)

One More Equals Four said...

Wow, sounds like a great weekend and I know you blessed that young man. I went to college 2000 miles away from home and when someone sent me a treat or took me to eat, it was SO appreciated! I am sure he will remember it forever!

Hope you can rest up this weekend!

Heather said...

That sounds like a great weekend! I always loved when my family came to visit me at college. And that was SO sweet of you to think of Benjamin; I know his mom (and he!) had to have appreciated that so much!

Ashley said...

What a neat "missionary" opportunity you had! And how fun to connect with "old friends"!

Melinda said...

Sounds like an A+ weekend. It's always fun to extend the family :D