Being Neutral

The past few days have felt much like
the season around me...
Colorado Winters
can feel a bit schizophrenic--
you can wake up to bright sunny blue skies
and by the days' end
have a snow-covered world--
or the very opposite
snow-colored skies
revealing a toss-your-coat-away
warm sunny day.
You just never know
what's on the horizon
so you have to be prepared
for anything.

It's just been a busy week.

We've had a visitor here since last weekend:
a former missionary who served here
and left the area last summer...
he went home in December
and has been here
"exploring options"
with Nana.

We loved him with his black nametag--
everyone in the whole area did--
he's just one of those personable persons--
like a kindness-magnet
that attracts so much good wherever he goes.
We enjoyed him so much,
that that friendship continued
after he went home.
Then he called one night,
and said,
"I know you have that rule,
but--"
he asked if he might pursue
the 19 year old crankmeister female in our house,
I had to think about it...
Our rule is this:

"If a young man comes 
thru the front door 
with a black
nametag,
he will not come back as a date."

We created that rule to protect
the missionaries
and our daughters.
It's important that as we serve with the
missionaries in our area,
that we help them stay focused on the work.


And that's how it's always been.
Until now.
(breathe...breathe...)
But, I have a confession to make--
I'm not surprised about this one.
Somewhere in the back of my mind,
I thought we'd see him again.

I have no clue how this is all gonna play out,
but I just had a feeling
we'd see him at our door again.

Maybe that was Heavenly Father's way
of preparing my mindset
so I wouldn't freak out.
I don't know.
Seems likely.

I figured his six day visit would pass quickly
and six days would be enough
to fan a fire
or blow out a flame.

He's going home today.
I'll keep you posted.
It's too early to tell.


As I observed this
"exploring options" thing--
between the two of them,
my effort has been that
of Switzerland
I am neutral.
I cannot lean one way
or another.
I do not weigh-in freely,
nor have I been invited by my Nana
to weigh-in.

I am Switzerland. 
They say it's gonna snow today.
I better grab my sunblock.
And maybe my gloves.
And sunglasses.