Friday, July 20, 2007

Farewell Habermehls


Life always takes funny turns and sometimes you wish time would just stand still just enough for you to enjoy it. We have really bonded with the Habermehls over the past few years and always have a fun and unique experience when we hang out with them. Their family consists of CM, Fay, Mitchell, Addison, Parker and Tyler all of which is one big ball of energy. The dynamics of this one of kind family keeps you moving and on your toes! When we moved out to our new house we were excited because they would be right around the corner but knew that that they could move. Jonathan and I are very pumped for them as they make this move to Dallas and are at perfect peace. It has been unique the past couple of years to see God speak to CM through the Word and different books to engage him in the smaller community church. I am so thrilled for them in this new opportunity and can not wait to see what God will do through the Habermehls at Southlake 11:7.

CM is a rare individual that you would be hard pressed to find anyone with more personality. I remember the first time I met him 8 years ago, I was in John Durham's office about to sing with "Not the Nine", our college band, and he comes in and jumps on the couch with so much enthusiasm. In my head, I thought, "Who is the crazy bald man??" He never meets a stranger and is so funny. He used to come in my office and jump on my desk to see if he could make it. I named it the "fat pigeon" stance, to make him stop, but he began to like the title. He has his own personal phone booth in his office that he has made his library. You will always see him with the latest greatest book, a composition book, a pen in his ear, his cell phone and i-pod. He is usually going to the bathroom when you see him decked out like this. I once got a phone call and his voice had a echo to it. Reluctantly, I asked him if he was in the bathroom and he laughed...he did not even realize it. He practically lived there with the continuous flow of coffee in his system. Once exiting the bathroom, he would come by my office and read a quote that in his wording would, "rip your face off!" This guy has a story for anything and if he were the only one alive on this earth he would talk to a tree. He would be bored with it, but he would not be able to contain himself. I can not count the amount of hours we have spent on the phone. (His number is one of the very few that I have memorized!) I love his drive for missions, his passion for Jesus, and his charisma for life. He is the most sensitive man I have ever met and have cried with him many times. You just see those tears coming and you know that yours are about to come pouring out as well. I love this guy so dearly (a cm phrase) and will miss him with every inch of me.
(CM swears that he is Keegan's favorite non-family member and has been whispering that into his little ear since he was born...brain washing I tell you...brainwashing.)

Fay is CM's "Fine-Wife" Every time he is on the phone with her he says, "She's so fine!" Okay gross...but so adorable in the same too. Fay is without a doubt one of the busiest women on the face of this earth. I have no idea how she gets it all done and manages to be a mother of 4 spunky children. She always knows how to have a good time and can make you laugh. Fay also knows how to make you blush too, but we won't go into that! :) In fact, I am thinking of many funny stories, but I just can't write about them. Durn! I love her because she is so spontaneous, which is quite opposite of me. She never lets schedules, time frames, or kids get in the way of an adventure. (I wish I was more like that.) She is a good friend and helps you out in way she can. This year we really bonded over organizing the girls retreat. I knew I could not do it myself since I was not on staff and she took on so much of the responsibilty to help me get it done. She gets jazzed over the little things and wants to be involved in it all. Fay is a awesome cook. When I first got married, she printed off a word document of all these recipes to help me get started. She knows how to make a whole weeks worth of meals and use every inch of leftovers. Fay knows every good deal in town, especially at Wal-Mart and will make sure you know about it. Fay geniunely cares about you and calls to check up on every part of your life. I can not repay her for the amount of advice she gave me since Keegan has been born. She needs to write a baby book for sure. She will drop anything she is doing or move things around in her schedule if you need her. Us too have shared many conversations over the phone where we ached, laughed, vented and cried together. What I love most about Fay is that she cares.

These are two of their four children Mitchell and Addison. These pictures were taken the summer that Jonathan and I met on square dancing night. Ironically, we both matched the kids without planning it. I love their kids and their little personalities. I hate that I do not get to watch them grow up here, but will have to watch from a-far. There are so many stories to tell about them, but this blog is getting to long. Oh well...here are a couple about Addison. The first time I met Addison, she glared at me and then proceeded to spit on me. Fay was so embarrassed, but I thought it was hilarious! I also have a mark on the inside of bible from her scribbling in it. She just did what she wanted...in her own little sassy way. The children could really have their own seperate post, they are that fun.

I am tearing up here as I am writing this blog, because I am so sad they are moving. Southlake, you are so lucky, very lucky and thank you for taking them in with open arms. We love you Habermehls, and you will always be like family to us.

13 comments:

Nancy Mon said...

I loved reading this. I love the Habermehls and I am going to miss them so much. I loved how CM would come into my office and we would share deep spiritual moments laced with the best laughter. He brought great joy to boring meetings and yet his insights that were so rich and deep were lost on some. He tutored my on iPods which I will forever be grateful. I love Faylinn and the kiddos. Loved subbing in Bunco games with Faylinn. I called Addison Just Addison for the longest time...she didn't like it, but I had great fun.
Michelle thank you for this tribute. Others have left and we just said see ya. But when the Habermehls left, there is a huge hole in my heart.

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure that you should have spoken the other night instead of me. Next week should be interesting - it definitely will be quieter - just hope not too quiet. And I, too, will miss the visits after the bathroom trips! They will be missed greatly! And yes, I'm jealous of Southlake 11:7 and all the others that live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area! Well done, friend! :)
LMS

FitzandMolly said...

I just can't stand it. Like you said, there are times that you want the clock to stand still for a while. Wish we could have one more camp, one more fireworks show w/CM & Nelson, one more late night talk with Fay in our cabin, and one more Bunko game. Ok - now I'm gonna go b/c I'm crying.

Anonymous said...

i couldn't write as long a blog as you did about it beacause i was crying so hard! they are amazing people and will truly be missed by everyone at HFBC.

Amanda said...

What an awesome description of an awesome family. I might have to write about some of my Addison stories. Why does Fay not have a blog? Oh yeah, she's a LITTLE busy. This was so sweet and so accurate, Michelle!

amberburger said...

michelle. i love this. i love the Habermehls! i love all the stories and discriptions...i cried for sure.
oh and i love that your mentioned not the nine! hehe!

Murrell Family said...

What a great post about a great family. I know that the Habermehls will be very missed by HFBC!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

We are so, so happy they're with us in Southlake! Today was their first Sunday, and seeing all of them here made us so overjoyed, and there was an excitement in the air. Xavi left for camp with CM a few hours ago, and was so anxious to start serving with him.

Janelle and Ella said...

I am so excited to get to know them not that they are in D-Town. They sound amazing!

Anonymous said...

Michelle,
What an incredible tribute to this precious family! I am so thrilled for CM - but, will miss the constant book recommendations. I did, however, get one from him on his last day in the office....and told him to expect emails from me requesting reading material! Ha!
Thanks again for posting such an honoring and loving tribute!

Anonymous said...

just one more reason you guys should move to DFW. Quit ignoring all these signals God is sending you! Haha just kidding, but seriously.

Dana said...

All I can say is sadness. The rest would come out in unintelligible sobs...

Anonymous said...

Ok- Michelle and Terry and many others told me to get on line and read her blog...First of all, I am blog illiterate and it took me quite a while to even get on...secondly, amanda, you get the joy of coming over and setting a blog up for me and explaining EVERYTHING...several times...thirdly, the computer may short out from the tears. Seriously, we are so excited about our new adventure of where God is taking us, but in the same breath heartbroken to leave our family, you guys. You guys all know how relational we are, and you are our family. The only ease in moving away is knowing that we will come back to visit. I know people always say that, but you guys know us well enough to know we can't move on permanantly, we have family here too...so it is a have to! we love you all, and I clocked it...it only took 4 hours stopping once and driving 75mph or so...So fill up your tank and come up. We have an extra bedroom, first time ever!

fay