That was a whirlwind wintery tour of just a fantastic city!
We never dreamed--two days ahead of time--when we asked the Gibsons if they'd show us around New Orleans, they'd say YES! Matt and Maribeth work together at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and we'd met her husband Teddy once! However, we knew they loved and spent lots of time in NOLA, and MAN, touring the city with them was the best!
We also didn't know they'd work so hard to get to know our kids...they were fun and patient and loving and thoughtful the whole time, and man, we are GRATEFUL to have these good and wise and experienced friends!!
The food, the culture, the city, the buildings...it all was just a bit like home. The heavy French influence reminded us of Haiti many times, and the city streets and markets looked far more like downtown Cap-Haitian than we'd ever expected.
As we've tried to tie some new traditions into our long-standing ones this first Christmas in America, heading next door for a few days with friends was as close to heading to the Dominican Republic with neighbors every Christmas as we could come.
What a unique and rich culture and history we found in New Orleans...it truly is a special place, and the love the people of New Orleans have for their city--I'm sure much deepened by the tragedy and hardship the city has come through together--truly reminded us of home.
The kids LOVED every minute, from the beignets to the trolleys to the trees so huge and low they could climb all over them to the zoo, of course. None of them wanted to come back today, and I'm so thankful for Matt being off and away fro work for a few days.
Our second and last night in the city, Maribeth and Teddy sent us off to their favorite restaurant, Le Petit Grocery and had dinner with the kiddos...such a thoughtful and enjoyable night!
I'm so grateful for the way the Lord used Maribeth and Teddy and New Orleans to give us a little of home and friendship this Christmas, and if you ever venture so far south that you're running out of room, we're down here and ready to take you for shrimp and grits!
No comments:
Post a Comment