Our Graduate

Congratulations to Ashley who graduated from high school and received her diploma. She is planning to go to Appalachian Bible College in West Virgina in the fall.

Birthday Tea Party

 

Elise invited some of her friends to her birthday tea party.  They enjoyed a light brunch, decorated their own mini cupcakes, learned how to make origami, and participated in a fashion show.  Overall the event was a success and each girl had a fun time.

Good Friday

Jesus Took The Wheel

We were driving the road--in our lane--heavy traffic.......Carrie Underwood's song "Jesus Take The Wheel" was playing on Ashley's phone with the girls singing at the top of their lungs.  Then it happened--in a split second--in slow motion.  A taxi cuts in front of our lane, going from the right lane to make a left hand turn.  I slam of the brakes for this crazy taxi driver to turn in front of us (later we would find yellow paint dust on the front bumper where he grazed us).  The taxi turns--horns blaring from stopped traffic during rush hour and from my mirror I see a traffic cop running toward the the taxi who is stopped in traffic trying to cross the next intersection.  I hope he got a fine.....he deserved it....if he caused an accident it would have been his fault.  But, he did not sideswipe us or put a dent in our fender.  Why?  Because Jesus took the wheel.  He took it from my hand for a split second.  Thank you Lord for your protection from crazy drivers.  Amen!

Hammock Hangout

Family Snapshot

We were able to get a good family snapshot while visiting a friend's house in the country for lunch over the weekend. Everyone is looking at the camera :)

Visitors from the North

We are so very thankful for an encouraging visit and sweet fellowship with our sending church pastor and his wife--even if our time together was short. They brought down a suitcase full of goodies from the church congregation. Thanks KBC!

Bill's E-book Picks

Here are my recommendations of some good books that I have read on my Kindle over the past six months:

Bible: ESV Study Bible

Devotional: The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado

Sports: Coming Back Stronger by Drew Brees

Ministry: Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft

The Land Between: Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion

Fiction: The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker

Non-Fiction: Decision Points by George W. Bush

Personal: The Resolution for Men by Stephen Kendrick

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving, between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily,
Oftimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are a needful in the skillful Weaver's hand,
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

--ANONYMOUS

Recuperation

Wow ... we are just overwhelmed with all the responses of prayer and encouragement in regards to Cristian needing surgery to repair his lung. We are rejoicing that we are able to give a good report that Cristian's surgery went very well, the holes are repaired and he is home two days earlier than the doctor first anticipated. We have no doubt the Lord has been answering as you've joined us in prayer. Thank you also for your prayers and encouragement for Tracy as she was able to spend the week at the hospital with Cristian, and for Bill and Ashley as they took care of things at home. Though it was a long week we have experienced the Lord's help and strength, and we are so appreciative of the encouragement that seemed to come just when we needed it.

This week Cristian will have his stitches removed and the doctor will do a follow-up exam and x-ray. We praise the Lord that Cristian is recuperating; he will need to adhere to the doctor's orders of no activity and complete rest for the next month. He will continue to experience pain during the recuperation process and beyond. Please also be praying for him as he will need some cooperation from his university professors in order to be able to make up the homework, projects and final exams he has missed and/or will miss over the next two weeks. Cristian was happy to sleep in his own bed last night and has asked us to let you all know how much he appreciates your faithful prayers. He expressed many times that he knew people were praying and that the Lord has been helping him.