The Events of Sunday, September 19, 2010

          We enjoyed a later wake-up this morning, with a leisurely breakfast of Laura’s homemade egg and sausage casserole. The Wells Family (our hosts) left to serve at the 10:00 service, giving us the time and space to shower and dress at a slower pace. We joined them at the 11:30 service at their church, Center Pointe Christian Church. It closely resembles our own home church, Sun Grove Community Church in Elk Grove. The welcome, the attire, the bulletin, the song selection, the band, the pacing, the media, the quick hand-shake, the sermon style, and even the humor reminded me of home. Pastor Shawn spoke from the third phrase of one verse: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) He taught that our love for God grows from one dimension (by study), to two dimensions (by meditation), into three dimensions (by obedience). I enjoyed the geometry and the challenge to love Jesus with my all.

          After church, the Wells treated us to lunch at the Skyline Chili. Now I was forewarned, this is not what most people call chili, but is more of a sauce, often served over spaghetti noodles. It contains cinnamon, chocolate, and other secret ingredients. Natives of Cincinnati love it, but visitors sometimes do not care for it. I loved it.

          The afternoon was restful and fun. We watched the Bengals beat the Ravens (barely). The girls had fun with nail polish with Rebekah, the six-year old Wells girl. Ben played football with Sam and David (the Wells boys) and other neighborhood kids. We read the paper, played on the computer, took bike rides, and shared a lovely Sabbath afternoon. For dinner, Dan barbecued some pork loin which Laura supplemented with cheesy rice and a green salad of garden-fresh vegetables.

          After clean-up, we went out and tried Cincinnati’s top-of-the-line ice cream at Graeter’s. This ice cream was something special. Their specialty is Black Raspberry Chip, which is made from a sorbet-like raspberry with huge chunks of dark chocolate. (One of my chunks was the size of a business card.) Caitlin and I shared a banana split with Black Raspberry Chip and Cookie Dough Chip ice cream, chocolate fudge and bittersweet chocolate sauces, whipped cream, pecans, and three cherries. Pam’s choice was a double scoop of black raspberry chip and double chocolate chip on a waffle cone. Lindsey had Buckeye Blitz ice cream on a cone. Abby enjoyed Double Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough Chip ice cream on a waffle cone. But Ben was the adventurous one, ordering the “1870 Tower”: fresh chocolate bundt cake filled with hot fudge, a scoop of black raspberry chip ice cream, drizzled with hot fudge, topped with whipped cream, pecans and a cherry.

          So, we ate well today. We also enjoyed feeling at home. I mean this literally: we felt like we were at home. I kept being reminded of our life in Elk Grove. Pam had noticed the same thing: the uncluttered living space downstairs, the shoe-organizer in the garage, the bedrooms all upstairs, the kids toys put in containers. What we are witnessing here is a genetic link between Pam and her cousin Laura: the organization gene. This is a delightful discovery!