I am thankful that the Shrader’s, Dale and Shanna, called out of the blue, said they would be in town, and could we have dinner together. We set up a day for them to come to our home for Taco’s on Tuesday with Jalapeno poppers.
Jeff had been deployed with Dale to Somalia in the early 90’s. As Dale tells it in his testimony (he still, even 20+ years later is still asked to share his testimony and God's amazing provision in sparing his and his co-pilots life), it was Jeff, who having just cleaned Dale’s pistol before Jeff left country, was the only reason Dale's pistol fired when he needed it to save his and his co-pilots life after their Blackhawk helicopter was shot down with an RPG. Dale had told Jeff during one of their Bible studies that he hadn't cleaned his weapon since he'd been in country, over 4 months worth of sand and grime. Jeff said how he'd cleaned his weapon for the last time that morning and how tired he was of having to clean his weapon every day, often twice a day.
It was an honor to have them in our home and share our table. We were so comfortable with this beautiful couple who love the Lord and serve Him daily - and to reconnect, again. Sometimes distance is okay. Especially, when the Lord is at the center, when you connect, it is as if you see each other all the time.