It’s been almost 8 years since Maggie and I made our first significant move, from North Carolina to Wheaton, IL.  I remember a number of things from that move: packing the little U-haul trailer, our pick-up truck almost conking out in the cornfields of Indiana, driving up to our new apartment on that very hot August day.  There is one thing I’ll remember about this current move that will handily stand above the rest: our friends.

Last week a friend brought over enough food for a couple of meals.  Later in the week her husband invited us over for dinner saying they didn’t want us grocery shopping or eating out if we didn’t have to.  A different set of friends is having us over for dinner this coming Tuesday.  On Saturday 5 guys showed up to help me load the moving truck.  Actually, I mostly watched them load the truck.  Actually, I mostly laughed watching them try to fit all our stuff into the truck.  Two of Maggie’s good friends showed up early to help us with last minute cleaning and packing.  When we drove up to our new apartment there were 4 guys from NC3 waiting to help us unload the truck.  These guys completely unloaded the truck, carried everything up to our 2nd floor apartment, and set up our bed in 45 minutes.  This morning we tentatively drove to our first service at NC3 where we were warmly greeted.  A good friend from Parkview had made the drive with his mom to be there for our first Sunday.  After the service we ended up talking with so many folks that we were some of the last to leave.  We went to lunch at the Cozy Corner with a bunch of folks and then went to see one of the couple’s new puppy.

I’m certainly forgetting other friends who have made this stressful week much less so.  Thanks to everyone who has cared for us so kindly these past days.  You’ve been amazing.