Normal

my new friend everett is 30 years old, married, and has 3 boys under the age of 5 with 1 on the way. he's just relocated to grapevine after being born and raised in new orleans. for the past week he and his family have been living at the hilton hotel out of suitcases in a cramped room. today though, for the first time in awhile, everett felt normal.

i sat in our church library today with he and his extended family (15 more people) eating pizza. everett started reinacting a funny moment from their 10 hour bus ride to texas. as he told the story the rest of his family caught the giggles, and by the end all of them were laughing their heads off. for a moment everything was alright in their chaotic lives. for a moment everett felt normal.

tonight everett and his family sat in the living room of the huston's house. he and his wife brittany chatted and laughed with bill and myra. i played baseball on the floor with the boys ej, cameron, and xavier. it was incredible and we had so much fun. again, for a few hours, everett and his family felt normal.

i've been floored today by the reality of God's sovereign care. despite what is seen on tv or argued about in washington, God is moving mightlily amidst the uncertainty. he is restoring normalcy back to the lives of his children. and he's humbling me in the process. thank you Lord.
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on a lighter note, here's the Lonesome Dove exchange for today:
captain call said, "it [the latin motto on their sign] could say anything. for all you know it invites people to rob us. "
and gus replies, "the first bandit that comes along that can read latin is welcome to rob us, as far as i'm concerned. i'd risk a few nags for the opportunity of shooting an educated man for a change."