We have found that there is generally something to laugh about, even in the midst of some of our most difficult experiences as a family — and that laughter helps us keep whatever measure of sanity we still possess. Selling our home and moving from Moss Bluff due to my illness was one of those trying experiences, but there were definitely some of those laughs along the way:

Where’s That Pan?
Late one night on a particularly hectic day in which we’d been alternating between packing and having people over to buy some furniture we’d posted on Craig’s List, Michael asked: “Mom, do you know where the pan is that I make my chicken with?”
Cheryl: “Oh …. um, Michael, it’s in the cabinet underneath the sink.”
Looking at Cheryl I asked quizzically: “You put the pan under the sink?!”
Cheryl: “Well, we were in a hurry; I had to hide it somewhere fast!”

Which Is Which?
Cheryl is the ultimate organizer. Three years ago when we were cleaning out the parsonage to move to our home on Mission Lane, she discovered a box full of little pieces of rope and twine which she had organized, each one tied up in a little bow! It was then that it began to dawn on her that she might be a little, well …
So fast-forward to our recent move. One week to go, and we are feeling the time pressure. Trash is beginning to pile up, with all we are sorting through and throwing away, so Cheryl decides to organize the trash: one for things we can burn in the burn barrel, so it doesn’t fill up the Waste Management bin, one for things that won’t burn, and another with food, etc. in it, so we don’t set it out on the road and have animals scatter it. I didn’t understand it all, but Cheryl assured me it was ok, she had it all covered in her mind. Later that day I finished a bottle of Gatorade (the POTS drink of choice) and I held the plastic bottle up to Cheryl, who was scurrying about packing: “Where do I put this?” She stopped for a moment, and then burying her head in her hands, she laughed hysterically and said, “I don’t have any idea!” I just laughed and said, “That’s ok, at least you’re honest!”

The Last Laugh
My last week in Moss Bluff, I was very sick. In fact, the Monday before we left on Tuesday I had stood to empty a bedroom drawer into a box, but got so sick that I had to stretch out on the floor to get horizontal and recuperate (the beds were already moved out). It was more than frustrating, even somewhat humiliating, to lay there sick, while other people packed up all our belongings — though I was VERY thankful to God for everyone’s help; we could not have done it without them.
At one point Monday afternoon, I was still laying on the carpet in the corner of the bedroom, while Merci Dixon came through to pack up the things in our bedroom closet. “Now I’m gonna pack up my pastor’s underwear!”, she chirped mischievously.
“No you aren’t!”, I said defiantly: “I did that last night just so this wouldn’t happen!” As sick as I was, I smiled to myself at my providential foresight! 🙂

Mixed Signals?!
Our daughter Libby, upon hearing we had a contract on the house after just a week, texted Cheryl: “Wow, that’s a great sign!”
Cheryl: “I think so. But Dad is currently stretched out on the dining room floor sick, so that’s probably not a good sign!”

Bittersweet
When we got the news that we had a contract on our house, a number of folks mentioned that they were happy for the answered prayer, but at the same time sad that we were leaving. We had the same mixed feelings. Perhaps the best expression of those bittersweet feelings came from one the children in our church, Morgan Eaves. The day my resignation note was read, Morgan told her mom Kim on the way home: “That makes me sad. But, if Bro. Shawn will feel better, I guess it’s ok.” That’s a pretty sweet sentiment.

You’ll Never Win
Cheryl, Michael & I went up to our condo in Norman, Oklahoma, about a week before the moving truck was to arrive there. Cheryl & Paul (our oldest son who had moved to Norman to help us) used the interim time to paint both the kitchen and the living room. After they finished with the living room, they went back over some spots there that needed a second touch. From where Cheryl & I were looking, there appeared to be a spot up on the far wall that needed a dab of paint. Since we were across the room, I was not actually sure that it wasn’t just the way the glare hit the wall, but Cheryl, sitting by me, thought it needed paint. Paul, standing close up and looking right at the spot, said, “There’s nothing there that needs paint; it is all covered.” Cheryl insisted that it did indeed need paint. Paul said, “Mom, there’s nothing there!” They went back and forth for some time, and I finally said, “Paul, don’t worry about it; just run the paintbrush over the spot.” I thought to myself, ‘Come on, man; that is just basic ‘Marriage 101’!”

Who, Me?
One day while we we still getting things settled in the condo, I walked into the living room where Cheryl, Paul and Michael were all seated, with our kitten Eponine also perched up on a chair. “Alright”, I said: “Which of the four of you left your wet paw prints on the toilet seat?” (I noticed that Eponine tried to maintain an innocent expression on her face as she glanced from one person to the next … 😉

Ah yes, we may have moved, but it is still “Paradise”!