10 Things I've Learned While Living in the O.C. #2

Okay, this is the second posting of 10 Things I've Learned While Living in the O.C. Despite preconceived notions of what I thought O.C. people would be like, they are warm, welcoming and very inviting. Never before in my adult life have I ever been so welcomed by neighbors and friends. My sweetheart and I have been amazed and completely blessed by the hospitality here. We've also had many a conversation wondering why the people are so much more friendly and inviting.
Since being here we've been invited over for dinner, we've been invited to MANY parties, we've been invited over for holidays, we've been invited over to just hang out, friends have offered to have our kids over at the spur of the moment and we've had a friend offer to just come over and watch our kids so we can go out on a date.
So what is so different that people actually want to hang out with us?? Here are some of the things we've come up with...
One thought is that so many people here are not FROM here so they all know what it's like to be the "New" people in town and want other new people to feel welcomed too. They've walked in our shoes before.
Thought number two...where we come from people have their families (generations in the same town) and their peeps and having new people come in might just be too invading of the way things have always been.
Thought number three...God's just been setting us up perfectly. He already knew what we would need to make this home for the time we are here. He surrounded us with amazing people to make this transition smooth.
So, if you're reading this and you're from our "other" home, I'm not trying to guilt anybody for not inviting us over. I'm just making an observation. You can invite us over when we get back. But in the meantime, invite someone over and include them in your life. It will bless them immensely!
If you're from our "current" town and you've been an inviter, Thank you very much!! You've blessed us greatly.
So, as I've discovered, The O.C. is filled with amazing people who have made us feel like we're at home from the time we arrived. Thank you for being there and for allowing God to minister to us through your hospitality.