Block Party: A dream realized.

This is the invitation I received inviting me to the block's party:

I made it out there about 6, with Banana Creme Pie in hand

The guy in the yellow shirt there is our unofficial Block Mayor (Kind of like Assistant to the Regional Manager).

The city brought out barricades to block off our street (for a fee of course), Daniel brought out tables from the church and they were placed in the middle of the block .

Daniel and Emily (music minister and wife) manned a "match the dog with the correct house" contest. Daniel made up some pretty slick color posters for this, and the winner matched all 9 pets to people's homes. There was also a trophy for best yard (go figure, I didn't win) and a 50/50 raffle.

One of the guys on our block has a bunch of DJ equipment, so he set up an awning and DJ'd the event.

Before dinner was served, some fire-fighters came out and taught the children of the block fire safety, and showed off their truck. They stayed and ate with us! 
Here is my plate of food. There was a huge spread! Several different kinds of The GBC (Green Bean Casserole, my favorite) and pulled pork, and all kinds of dessert. The west side brought desserts and the east side brought sides. We had a 90% block turnout, so that equaled a lot of food!

After dinner there were some presentations. I was introduced as the new guy on the block, and the winners of the contests were announced. I won the 50/50 raffle, 37 large!

After that, people volunteered to give some tours. Last year 7 showed their homes, and this year 2 volunteered theirs. It was nice to be in your neighbor's homes and be able to meet them where they are.

So what's the point? I think for me, the point is, that there is no point. Daniel was thanked for all the work that he did, and it was mentioned from the announcer that he worked at the church a block away. I was mentioned as the new guy on the block, and that I worked there as well. That was pretty much were that talk ended. I think it is amazing to be able to live in community with your neighbors, to be in their houses, to eat and share life with them. One hopes and prays that at some point, there will be a chance for some conversation to happen that will share the very words of life to your friends, but until that time comes... simply living and loving your neighbors is more than enough. It's what we are here for. 

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.