What happened at breakfast...

Twice a year we I go to Red Deer for the Pastors breakfast. Scotts Parable Store hosts about 40 Pastors, and the books sales reps make a pitch of new product. It is a funny thing being there...I used to go to breakfasts like that...but then again...it's all good.

I did my pitch...I told them how we have new books on the coffee table when our small group comes over...I talked about the experiment...and told them about my breakfast encounter with the gas guzzling vehicle owner. The crowd was fairly grey...except for a few young faces. After my pitch we gave away some books. One of the grey guys, got a "cool" Donald Miller book, and one of the not grey guys, got a Max Lucado book. There was some sort of generational war in the heavenlies...and I knew exactly what I had to do. I went to the not grey guy, and said, "You would probably rather have the Donald Miller book. Let's see if we can make a trade." The young guy, whose last name was Abma...(first name eludes me) was shocked.

"Hey how did you know. I didn't say anything about it, but was just thinking how much I would rather have the Donald Miller book."

We made it happen...

Later he came and found me. Thanked me again. Shook my hand and stood there. Er...uh...er.

Here is his story. He and his wife and kids had just moved from Whiterock, BC, near where we used to live. Today was his first day at work in Red Deer. He was disoriented. He was among strangers. (He was not George from Coppermine) He was in shock. He wasn't sure he had made the right move. Alberta felt foreign and strange. His wife and kids felt strange...He was the only guy from his pastoral team there. The rest were at a conference. Winning the book and getting to exchange it, was somehow a confirmation that things would be ok.

We talked a little more. I guess I passed my "Surprise" on to him. I guess he needed it more than me.

Red Deer, to Devon, Devon to Sherwood Park (with Peggy!...I love part time jobs!). Sherwood Park to Devon, our house to Extra Foods...Extra Foods, to home...that was the 6th day...and it was good.