Forrest Family Reunion

About two weeks ago, I decided to attend a pastors retreat that was going to be held outside of Asheville, North Carolina—in Black Mountain, to be exact. I’m at that retreat as I write this—I arrived today.

This past Sunday evening, I called my dad, just to check in. He said, “I just dropped your mom off for her mission trip.” I naturally asked where she was going. He said, “Black Mountain, North Carolina.” (My parents live in Northern Virginia.)

Wait, what?!

“Pop,” I said, “I’m going to Black Mountain, North Carolina THIS WEEK.”

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Her team had planned a team dinner at a local restaurant for this evening. (They are repairing homes that were damaged due to the terrible flooding that took place in the Asheville area during Hurricane Helene in 2024.) My dad was able to find out where they were going, which turned out to be only 7 minutes from the retreat center where I am staying!

So, I arrived at the restaurant, came up behind her, gave her a big hug and a kiss, and said, “I’m so glad to see you.”

(Keep in mind that I live in OKLAHOMA, a thousand miles from here!)

Needless to say, she was flabbergasted to see me there.

The team then graciously invited me to join them for dinner, which I did.

How cool is that?!