"TGIF!" That phrase for many is a welcomed relief from the craziness and chaos that is work. Friday nights are much more relaxing than Monday nights. Saturdays are about what you want to do when Wednesdays are about what your boss wants you to do. More times than not, weekends are yours.
Laura and I haven't had that sensation for a couple of months. Our Fridays are no different from Mondays and our Saturdays are no different from Wednesdays. We are required to perform the same functions every day: be with Ira, take care of Sophia and attempt to get work done for the church plant. And so Friday night has lost its edge, its fun. Saturdays, the "catch up" day, are no longer used to play around in the city. Besides a few functions during the week our days aren't that different from each other.
But not this weekend! You might remember the comment my upstairs neighbor, Yael, posted on June 11. She asked the following question of us and anyone else on blog land:
"what do you do when you're afraid you'll bother someone, in crisis, by asking too much if they need help? should one err on the side of more or less?"
I never responded to that question. So one day Laura came home to find an envelop at our doorstep. Inside was a note that read as follows:
Dear Joe and Laura,
We reached out to our closest friends and family (many who have been following your story with us), and we are very excited to present to you a "weekend away in NYC". We know that your daily commute is just one of the many, many life changes and challenges as of late. We are hoping to alleviate that for just one weekend. Through the generosity of those closest to us, we are so happy to give you:
We are grateful to have you as neighbors, so enriched by having you in our lives. We know 116 Hoyt St. is missing just one thing, Ira. And we look forward to his homecoming.
Love Bryan & Yael
Laura and I were (and still are) blown away by this generosity. Bryan and Yael had about 30 of their friends and family members respond to their request. We haven't met most of these people but they felt compelled to give, to help. And Laura and I finally have a weekend to look forward to.
Thank you to Bryan and Yael and all their friends and family for this coming weekend. I'll be sure to report how the weekend goes.
Laura and I haven't had that sensation for a couple of months. Our Fridays are no different from Mondays and our Saturdays are no different from Wednesdays. We are required to perform the same functions every day: be with Ira, take care of Sophia and attempt to get work done for the church plant. And so Friday night has lost its edge, its fun. Saturdays, the "catch up" day, are no longer used to play around in the city. Besides a few functions during the week our days aren't that different from each other.
But not this weekend! You might remember the comment my upstairs neighbor, Yael, posted on June 11. She asked the following question of us and anyone else on blog land:
"what do you do when you're afraid you'll bother someone, in crisis, by asking too much if they need help? should one err on the side of more or less?"
I never responded to that question. So one day Laura came home to find an envelop at our doorstep. Inside was a note that read as follows:
Dear Joe and Laura,
We reached out to our closest friends and family (many who have been following your story with us), and we are very excited to present to you a "weekend away in NYC". We know that your daily commute is just one of the many, many life changes and challenges as of late. We are hoping to alleviate that for just one weekend. Through the generosity of those closest to us, we are so happy to give you:
- 2 weekend nights in the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers on the Upper West Side
- 2 nice dinners out in the city -- Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House and Babbo
- Massage at your hotel
- extra for subway and cabs
We are grateful to have you as neighbors, so enriched by having you in our lives. We know 116 Hoyt St. is missing just one thing, Ira. And we look forward to his homecoming.
Love Bryan & Yael
Laura and I were (and still are) blown away by this generosity. Bryan and Yael had about 30 of their friends and family members respond to their request. We haven't met most of these people but they felt compelled to give, to help. And Laura and I finally have a weekend to look forward to.
Thank you to Bryan and Yael and all their friends and family for this coming weekend. I'll be sure to report how the weekend goes.
posted by jch at
8:57 AM
12 Comments:
That is really, really beautiful.
Acts such as this seem to be such a little thing that others can do for those in your situation. But, oh, what joy it brings to our God to see others giving of themselves like that. Praise God for your neighbors and their hearts.
We have added Ira to our church prayer warriors list so there is a host of Christians praying for him and your family daily.
We continue to pray that each day brings Ira one step closer to going home with you.
May God give you and Laura extra measure of strength and energy today.
Wow! That's so cool! Bryan and Yael, thank you so much for doing this for Laura and Joe. It's very inspiring.
Wow! That is what Jesus meant when he said to take care of our neighbors. Bryan and Yael are the good samaritan in the flesh.
grace, Julie
that is amazing and i love to see when someone who wants to help just steps up to the plate and does something! that is really powerful. so often it is hard to ask for help or to know exactly what to ask for and so instead, this couple took it upon themselves to just do something. now not only is ira himself blessing those who read this blog, but also friends, neighbors and strangers are showing the awesome power and love of God's children. amen, amen!
still praying for ira and checking his progress daily. that hardly seems enough when you are there living moment by moment, but i pray you feel empowered and strengthened by our prayers. thank God for the good news of Ira's surgery yesterday and we pray for continued healing.
enjoy your weekend, you deserve it!!
in Christ,
lisa c
Dear children, let us love not in word or speech but in truth and action.
Amen.
Thank God for such caring and supportive neighbors and friends.
Have a lovely weekend away. You deserve a break even for a short while. =)
What a blessing to have neighbors like THAT! Thank you Bryan and Yael for this generous gift for Joe and Laura.
WOW! Such a nice treat to a well deserved couple!! Enjoy when you do get to take the weekend. Glad to hear baby Ira's surgery went well. We are all still praying and hoping for all of you. I think about you all and thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us. May God continue his healing touch for baby Ira.
I pray for many loving blessings to each of you. (God Bless your wonderful neighbors.)
Pat Williams -Tahoka
Wow.. that brought tears to my eyes. I want neighbors like that too! :)
3 Cheers for Bryan & Yael and all involved in this act of love. Thanks be to God too! :)
Have a wonderful, restful and blessed weekend. :)
Agape,
Elaine
PS: Actually, I think I want to be a neighbor like that , rather than wanting neighbours like that. :)
Anyway, God bless. This just made my day. :)
Agape,
Elaine
Bryan and Yael - thank you so much for making this happen. You obviously hit the mark.
Joe and Laura - have a wonderful weekend away. We are so happy that you get to do this. Everyone knows you can't take a "vacation" from all that's going on, yet it's perfect that you are blessed with this gift of grace: a needed break and a change in the middle of it all. We pray you truly enjoy the experience! Probably the first time for something like this since Mexico, huh? Soak it up!
Love and prayers - the NW contingency is still following Ira closely and praying and rejoicing with each step forward.
Keith, Jen, and Leah Johnson
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