An almost surprise

This is long overdue, but it still deserves special mention for the effort that was put in and to demonstrate the wackiness of our friends and beloved CG.

For quite a while now, Elena and I have been thinking of moving cell groups, for various reasons, chief of which is that we felt that it was time for a change, both for us, and for the Cell Group, and secondly, also because of my committment to the Youth Leaders CG and EDC, we felt it might be a little taxing to be attending an adult CG which meets more than a family CG. So, after much thought and consideration, we decided to join a family CG effective 2006.

Our CG then planned a little farewell party for us....this is where it gets weird. It was to be held at our house on Christmas day, at dinner. As we were home preparing food on Christmas day at about 4pm, we started getting calls from our CG members telling us one by one that something had come up, and they couldn't make it, or they'd be late. Suddenly it appeared that the party was not going to happen....there would be 4 people for dinner. Of course we were dissappointed, but we figured these things happen, and we actually felt really sorry for the people who had told us that they might have to go to work (on CHRISTMAS!).

Next thing we knew, Cookie who was in the kitchen with us runs out to the front door and starts scratching at it. So Elena goes out to have a look, and finds that the door cannot be opened (obviously because someone is holding on to the door handle from the other side!). So I open the back door from the kitchen, which is at right angles to our front door. I honestly cannot decide now who was more surprised, us or our ENTIRE CG who had crept across an open corridor, crouched down, and all gathered outside our door to surprise us! (Yes, including those who had callled to say they couldn't make it....)

So that was the "almost" surprise party they threw for us....I must admit, it was very ingeniously done. Thanks guys, for all your effort to put it together, we were really very touched. It was a great party, with great food and fellowship...and it was really a fantastic send off for us. As we said, this is the CG that we grew up in, that we have spent the last 5 years in, and the CG that "sent" us out to leadership. You guys will always have a special place in our hearts.