Some days turn out as planned, and some turn out even better!!

I came home from seminary yesterday morning with a plan for the day in mind. I was going to do some laundry, work on Christmas gifts, make a trip to the book store and maybe even get in that coveted nap.


Then the phone rang. And as great as I thought my day would be, that call changed it for the better.


The woman on the other end identified herself as “Nannette” from Colorado Springs. She told me I did not know her, but I was a blog friend with her good friend, Dawn at “Momza’s House” and they were on their way to Phoenix that very day. She was wondering if I would mind having them come by as a surprise to Dawn. Dawn had commented that she wanted to meet some of her Arizona blog friends while in town, but didn't think she would have time during her short stay. However, Nannette knew I lived on the side of town where they would be staying and thought it would be fun to arrange a meeting.


I was thrilled!! And not only agreed to meet, but also invited them to dinner.


I love reading Dawn’s blog and was very excited to meet her. But then I started to wonder . . . how did Nannette know my phone number since I don’t have my name on my blog?


Now this is where the story gets even more fun.


It just so happens, that Nannette was reading my blog one day and saw a picture of me at women’s conference with a group of friends. One of those friends just happens to be a sister to Nannette’s sister-in-law. So yesterday morning she called the sister in law, got my friend’s phone number and called her, asking for the phone number of her friend who has a blog and recently had a party. (Are you following this?:-)


And that is how we came to be talking yesterday morning.


Well the rest of my day was spent cleaning the upstairs (my seminary stuff is like a cancer that starts out small and then spreads until it has taken over everything), running a few necessary errands and planning dinner. They were coming at 4 so I would have to cook it early. I decided on Chicken Tortilla Soup and fruit, which included apples and a very yummy caramel dip (I will include the recipe at the end of this post). I figured that people who have been eating out for two days might like something light and easy.


At 2:45 I got a call they were leaving Camp Verde and would be here in a little over an hour. My stomach started having butterflies. What would she be like? Would I like her as much in person as I did on her blog?


At 3:45 they had just exited the freeway and were heading down New River Road.


At 4:05 they pulled into my driveway.


I was sitting out on my back porch eagerly awaiting their arrival. Nannette still hadn’t told Dawn where they were going. Dawn thought they were making a short visit at a friend of Nannette’s and then would be on their way. So when I walked up to the car and she saw me, she was very surprised. And when she got out of the car, it was like seeing an old, dear friend.


The wonderful thing about blogs is you can know all about someone’s life without ever meeting them. But it is even better when you get a chance to meet in person. I not only liked her, I loved her!! She is sweet, kind, funny, genuine, and totally down to earth. And so is her friend, Nannette.


For the next two hours we had a wonderful time visiting. It was fun to have so much to visit about and to learn more about her and her family. I was so thankful for Nannette's thoughtfulness in making the arrangements. It was such a treat to visit with them both. And it was fun to meet Dawn’s daughter who was also traveling with them. My only regret was that it was her daughter’s birthday. I wished I had known so I could have made her a cake!


And now the story takes one more twist.



While visiting, Dawn asked me if I knew Brent P. Oh, I know him! He is not only my neighbor but also my home teacher!! It ends up Dawn was his secretary for a while when she lived in Phoenix many years ago.


I live on a cul-de-sac with only seven houses—ours and six others. I think it is so interesting that Nannette and Dawn knew two of my six neighbors. What are the chances of that??!!


It truly is a small blog world!! And that is wonderful!!

Thank you Dawn, Nannette and Diana!! You truly brought great . . . joy to my journey!!

And now the recipe for the dip. Take one carton caramel dip, one vanilla yogurt and one crushed Heath Bar. Mix together and serve with apples and/or bananas. Very yummy!!