It's A (Very) Small World

Sometimes I think God just has a good laugh as He does His thing - and we, somewhat blindly, stumble along discovering the wonder of his design! To whit:

Act 1: Salem Oregon
Joel has been 'hanging out' with a woman in Salem, Oregon named Carissa. Carissa's parents - Joan and Dan, live in Newberg, Oregon. Last Sunday, Joel was invited by Carissa to a BBQ at her parent's home. From all reports he had a great time and spent some time getting to know Carissa's family a bit better.

Act 2: Newberg Oregon (A great place to grow)
Sometime between Joel's visit and Tuesday at lunch time - Dan - Carissa's dad - sent an email to his parents - Hazel and Ernie Schutter. So Dan sent an email to Carissa's grandparents telling them about Joel's visit.

Act 3: Sparta Michigan
Hazel and Ernie receive the email from Dan. In it, apparently, are details about Joel's parents and extended family. They immediately print out the email and take it with them that day.

Act 4: Grand Rapids Michigan (A great place for snow)
Tuesday morning Bill and Linda Rexford, Joel's grandparents, run some errands in Grand Rapids. It's about lunch time when they finish and they decide to eat lunch out. Bill has lived in the area on and off for his entire life and never eaten at Steak 'n Shake. Linda suggests they go there; she just feels like it's where they should eat lunch. In due time, they drive in, park and go inside.

Act 5: Steak 'n Shake
Upon entering - Bill and Linda immediately see some old friends. In fact, Bill grew up in the same town as his friend (they were about 4-5 years apart in school) and his younger brother. As it turns out - Bill has been on a missionary trip to Portugal with his friends. The friends are very excited to see Bill and Linda come in and insist they eat together. They have some interesting news to pass along.

So, Bill and Linda sit down to eat lunch with - Hazel and Ernie Schutter. You got it! When Hazel and Ernie received the email - they realized that Carissa (their granddaughter) had invited Joel Henderson (Bill and Linda's grandson) over for lunch! That was the news they wanted to share with Bill and Linda!

That's right! The grandparents know each other well. They live a few miles apart from each other (Casnovia Michigan and Sparta Michigan) In fact, they know the extended family; Bill has taught at a missionary school in Portugal with Carissa's great uncle Dave!

Even more interesting - Dave and Shirley Schutter (Dave is Ernie's brother!) live in Kent City, Michigan - where Joel's Aunt Joanne and Uncle Steve Buckner live. And, they all attend Kent City Baptist Church together.

Act 6: Salem Oregon
Joel's dad (Tod) and Grandpa (Bill Rexford) talk at lunch time (California time).. and Bill tells Tod of the amazing coincidence that occurred just a couple hours earlier! Tod immediately calls Joel to share the news with him. They both have a good laugh.

Act 7: Somewhere else in Salem Oregon
Carissa receives a call from her mother, Joan, with pretty much the same story as Joel received from his dad.

Act 8: An undisclosed location in Salem Oregon
Joel and Carissa hang out later that night. And.. they conclude that while the Hendersons/Rexfords/Buckners were all emailing and calling each other about the wild story.. Carissa's family was pretty much doing the same thing.

And, Carissa shares with Joel - Hazel and Ernie's visit to Steak 'n Shake was pretty much as improbable as Bill and Linda's. They rarely, if ever eat there!

So - just how small a world is this? You're born in California. Move to Oregon.. meet a girl.. and go for Sunday lunch in Newberg Oregon.. and two days later the grandparents are talking about you at lunch at the Steak 'n Shake in Grand Rapids Michigan!

Coincidence? You be the judge.

Finally, as an aside, as Joel puts it: "Apparently there is a fairly constant speed at which news travels; we may have stumbled across a new and exciting scientific discovery!"