I love meteor showers. I mean, really love them. I love to look up into the dark night sky and see the stars. The blackness of the night is pierced by the brilliant light of the beautiful stars each clear winter night, but last night was extra special. Last night, December 13, 2008, was the Geminids meteor shower. From what I hear, it is the second biggest of the year, just behind the famed Perseid meteor shower of mid August.
Last night, I enjoyed a wonderful dinner reunion with half of the team that went on project to El Salvador this past summer. We convened at Jacob and Caellin’s home for delicious homemade burgers (thanks Jacob!) and a perfectly constructed caesar salad made by none other than Adam S. Nixon. It was so much fun to be able to see Sara, Kaylee, Alyssa, Adam and Kelly last night. We laughed and reminisced as if no time has passed at all since we last saw each other in August. I love friendships like these….they are just so natural. After a rousing game of Bang, Jacob, Caellin, Sara, Kaylee, Kelly and myself headed out for an after dinner stroll around the Douglas’ neighborhood.
It was the coldest night we’ve had since I’ve been here this quarter. I love cold nights. They make me want to snuggle up to the people I love, and believe me, that’s big for me. Let’s just say that physical touch isn’t my cardinal love language.
Anyway, as we headed out of the house, I mentioned to my cohorts that Dec. 13th is a big night for meteors. I second guessed my announcement as soon as I made it (why do I lack such confidence in myself?). I then mumbled that we probably wouldn’t see many shooting stars, thanks to the amazingly bright gibbous moon that was rising in the eastern sky. Just then, a bright meteor streaked across the winter night. It was breathtaking. We preceded to walk up to the San Luis Obispo adult school baseball field, and turned with our backs against the bright moonlight to see what we could of the meteor shower. I saw at least 10 shooting stars, each more beautiful than the last. I even got to share my (very small) knowledge about meteor showers with Jacob, which was great.
After a half hour or so of star gazing, we returned to Jacob and Caellin’s home and were reunited with Alyssa and Adam. We played what I believe to be the funniest game of “Telephone Pictionary” that I’ve ever played. We laughed and enjoyed good time together as members of Christ’s body. I mean, the whole reason we ever met in the first place was because we went out into ministry. Later that night we saw a bunch more SLO students who were spending time at Alyssa’s house. The night was filled with fun and unexpected happy moments. It was the merriest night of the Christmas season so far.
All in all, I just feel so loved by my Heavenly Father. He loves me so well, so perfectly. He whispers his love to me in the most amazing ways: through genuine community where He is glorified, through beautiful displays of the heavens that he created, through the wintery weather he sent me today. I feel his unfailing love in the steady drum of the rain on my roof right now, and through the remembrance of the gift of his Son that he gave us. He is Emmanuel. He sent his Son to reunite me with him. To reunite you with him. He loves us each so well. I want to overflow with thanks to Him.
