Here's the deal, despite my natural desire to be social and my associated social streak, my job made it almost impossible to make friends in the ward (congregation) this summer. I would see people for maybe two hours on Sunday, and if I was lucky I would attend an event that evening. It also didn't help that I don't have a car. So I know a lot of people, but spent time with very few of them.
But, among those aquntainces, there are two named Jason and Jeremiah - they proved to be angels this weekend.
Generally, I like moving. I've had over 45 roommates (including mission companions) and moved every semester of college. At heart, I'm a gypsy. But, the last 24 hours of a move always seem to kill me! All the big stuff is gone, all the major area's are packed, and you're just left with the random stuff that you never knew what do with in the first place. It's that random stuffed animal your brother gave you that you're not ready to part with....but where the heck does it belong!?!? With the towels in the laundry box? No, that's fully packed, and in the storage unit already. In the desk box? No...that's bursting at the seams also. Hmm... in the kitchen boxes as extra padding? No, that's impractical, and oh, wait.... you just realized it's all at your new place so you don't have spoons for a midnight snack. Great.
So really, the last 24 hours consist of sorting, sorting, decision making, and packing all this random stuff that has been left out because of indecision or necessity. For example: what do you do with a clock, a water pitcher, the stuff on your fridge, and all the random junk that collects in the 'everything' drawer in the kitchen and the stuff you always need right as you're walking out the door? I have no idea!!!!
To set the stage of the weekend, two weeks prior, I was assigned to give a talk (essentially part of a sermon) in church. I also teach the woman's group every fourth Sunday. So the day before I had to check out of my apartment - yes, the 24 hours before - I had two major assignments in church. I dearly love assignments like this, but trying to juggle all of it seemed a little overwhelming.
This is where the J&J miracle happens.
Jeremiah makes his debut. It was 5pm Sunday evening and I had just arrived home from church. The deadline was 9am the next morning and I was facing the most dreaded part of moving. As I was surveying the scattered living room I realize I had lost my phone.... and it was on silent from church. Great. I did a mental run through of where it could be, and the car was the most likely culprit. Sure enough, it was waiting peacefully on the seat, indicating I had missed a call.
Jeremiah and I had been texting on and off that morning about something totally unrelated, but I had a voicemail from him and returned his call. After chatting a bit I mentioned I needed to go deal with the monster of packing. "Would you like help?" he asked. "I wouldn't say no" I replied. "I'll be there. Wait,.... that wasn't quite a yes. Do you really want help?" "Jeremiah, I would love it. Even if you just come and entertain us." "I'll be over in about an hour."
Can you spell miracle?!? I can J-e-r-e-m-i-a-h! It had totally slipped my mind, but he grew up in a military family. So he showed up, asked what needed to be done, and took about 90% of the emotional burden from me by flawlessly managing all the random bits that needed to fit. What would go where and when? How are we going to move it? What do you want to do with this? Let's load it this way because of xyz.
He did more for me and Nancy in the 6 hours he was there than anyone else (with the exception of Jason) had in the past month.
Jason made his debut earlier. He had graciously driven my mom to the airport when she was visiting, lent me his SUV numerous times to move stuff, drive to work, and spent time with me and Nancy in the evenings after particularly stressful days at work. Due to his busy Sunday's, he showed up at my apartment, still in his Sunday clothes, as soon as he could, to help us pack up his car and make multiple trips to storage and Jenn's.
I was also extremely grateful for the wonderful long distance support of Forrest, a good friend in Austin, TX, who sent a slew of text messages and occasional phones calls throughout the weekend. He was and continues to be spectacular!
I have no idea what I would have done without those guys. Probably pulled an all-nighter, cried a lot, and been late to check out. Thank God for friends!
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