A Full Weekend

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” “Though he slay me, yet will I serve Him.”

This verse comes to the forefront time and time again. This very weekend is no exception.

On Friday, the entire family (Mom and Les; Mike, Hailey, Connor & Tate; John, Ashley, John, Sam & Sadie; and Jeff, Kelley, Jordan & Braeden) drove to Lebanon to meet Carson for dinner. Earlier in the week, he had received his much anticipated championship ring and we all wanted to celebrate with him.

Saturday evening, we were thrilled to take part in a sort of "going away" celebration for Mark & Dena Caruth. Mark will be leaving Tusculum Hills Baptist Church (after 14 years of service) this coming week to return to what is his first love....music. He has been such an encouragement to so many over the years and Immanuel Baptist Church will surely be blessed by him. After our split with THBC in July, we have all prayed for Mark & Dena; all along he and Dena reminding us that God would take care of them....in His time. Even in their waiting, they were a great witness for Him. Mark was, in fact, surprised when he arrived and it was such fun to share in a little of their joy.

But in the midst of that joy came much sorrow as we learned that, for the second time in a year, Niki and Bryan Ary had suffered a miscarriage. It is so very difficult to understand God's plan in times such as these but, as Mark & Dena taught us, He does have a plan and it is better than anything our finite minds can comprehend. Please join me in praying for the peace that only He can provide for this sweet couple.

We wrapped up the weekend with a Super Bowl Fellowship at the Hulshof home where fun was had by all......

......some more than others.

Debbie - I borrowed pictures...hope you don't mind. I'll share mine as soon as I get them unloaded from the camera....