Post by Don & Mary Jean on Mar 8, 2008 23:46:49 GMT -5
If you would've told me three years ago that I'd be spending a Friday night with my favorite family from The Amazing Race, I would've laughed in your face. Well... Tonight I found myself doing just that. I spent my Friday evening with a family that has forever impacted my life in such a positive Godly way. This is no other than The Weaver Family, who placed third on their season. They were the family that had lost their father a year prior to the show and came together during the race to prove they were still a strong family through thick and thin. Hearing their story and watching them overcome some obstacles in the race as a family, truly inspired my faith and life, like you wouldn't believe. There faith ignited my fire more than anyone else has been able to. With faith, patience and prayer - God allowed a night like this to even happen.
It was a long stressful ride to Daytona today as John and I found ourselves bumper to bumper with some of the most ridiculous Florida traffic. After a grueling three hours, we found ourselves waiting outside of a Hess Gas Station for Rachel to come find us. Finally, she arrived all eager and happy to finally meet us in person. We followed her back to her house off an unpaved road with a beautifully groomed yard. Their house was dimly lit from the outside and the rain was slowly dying. Rachel hugged both of us and introduced us to some of her friends she had been tailgating around. All of them were very kind. As we walked through the front door we were greeted with nothing but warmth and love. Linda, the mother, walked right up to us with a firm arm introducing herself to the both of us as we shook her hand. The kitchen, which we were in, was very packed with relatives and friends of The Weavers, as they were having a good ole' cook out. Linda introduced us to everyone and served us a delicious meal of Hamburgers, Potato Chips and her famous "Cheesey Spaghetti". All of which was delicious. As we ate dinner, we sat around to talk with Rolly, Rachel and the rest of their friends. Everyone was so outgoing and welcoming, which made me feel very comfortable. After we had our meal, we made our way to their game room where Rolly was eager to play us in ping-pong and pool. According to him, I need to brush up on my ping-pong skills. (I wasn't good in the least bit, haha). Once everyone seemed to be getting over ping-pong and pool, Rachel suggested we should play "Pictionary" guys versus girls. It was game time. I was first to draw and found myself having to draw the action "PRAY", and after awhile Jimmy, a friend of Rachel's, guessed it. This game continued for a good thirty minutes and throughout it Rolly kept exclaiming "James is our secret weapon." I couldn't help but smile. After the game, we all seemed very tired and chill, so we put in the movie Dodgeball. Sadly, once the movie was finished, it was time we headed back to Tampa. Rolly had to bring his girlfriend home, so we said goodbye to him and he had to remind me: "James, you need to brush up on your ping-pong skills". This left John and I in the kitchen with Rebecca and Rachel who kindly put together a plate of food for our trip back to Tampa. We took pictures and shared some more laughs before we parted our ways. (I must also add that Reesey their dog LOVED me! So cute) The storm began to pick up outside and Rebecca offered us a futon for the night but we really needed to get back home. It was Good-bye, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the last.
This family is so genuine, kind, welcoming, compassionate and loving. Tonight will be a night that I will forever treasure. God has been so good and I thanked him the whole way home for a night such as this. I can't seem to stop smiling.
Trust the Lord.
It was a long stressful ride to Daytona today as John and I found ourselves bumper to bumper with some of the most ridiculous Florida traffic. After a grueling three hours, we found ourselves waiting outside of a Hess Gas Station for Rachel to come find us. Finally, she arrived all eager and happy to finally meet us in person. We followed her back to her house off an unpaved road with a beautifully groomed yard. Their house was dimly lit from the outside and the rain was slowly dying. Rachel hugged both of us and introduced us to some of her friends she had been tailgating around. All of them were very kind. As we walked through the front door we were greeted with nothing but warmth and love. Linda, the mother, walked right up to us with a firm arm introducing herself to the both of us as we shook her hand. The kitchen, which we were in, was very packed with relatives and friends of The Weavers, as they were having a good ole' cook out. Linda introduced us to everyone and served us a delicious meal of Hamburgers, Potato Chips and her famous "Cheesey Spaghetti". All of which was delicious. As we ate dinner, we sat around to talk with Rolly, Rachel and the rest of their friends. Everyone was so outgoing and welcoming, which made me feel very comfortable. After we had our meal, we made our way to their game room where Rolly was eager to play us in ping-pong and pool. According to him, I need to brush up on my ping-pong skills. (I wasn't good in the least bit, haha). Once everyone seemed to be getting over ping-pong and pool, Rachel suggested we should play "Pictionary" guys versus girls. It was game time. I was first to draw and found myself having to draw the action "PRAY", and after awhile Jimmy, a friend of Rachel's, guessed it. This game continued for a good thirty minutes and throughout it Rolly kept exclaiming "James is our secret weapon." I couldn't help but smile. After the game, we all seemed very tired and chill, so we put in the movie Dodgeball. Sadly, once the movie was finished, it was time we headed back to Tampa. Rolly had to bring his girlfriend home, so we said goodbye to him and he had to remind me: "James, you need to brush up on your ping-pong skills". This left John and I in the kitchen with Rebecca and Rachel who kindly put together a plate of food for our trip back to Tampa. We took pictures and shared some more laughs before we parted our ways. (I must also add that Reesey their dog LOVED me! So cute) The storm began to pick up outside and Rebecca offered us a futon for the night but we really needed to get back home. It was Good-bye, but I'm sure it wouldn't be the last.
This family is so genuine, kind, welcoming, compassionate and loving. Tonight will be a night that I will forever treasure. God has been so good and I thanked him the whole way home for a night such as this. I can't seem to stop smiling.
Trust the Lord.
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