Family and Friends

There has been a ton going on!!!  We’ve been so busy that we really haven’t had time to blog about it!  So, I will get you caught up….but in no certain order!  Just random posts about what has been going on the last month!  Although our calendar has been full of serving our community (and a few persecutions by some who don’t necessarily like what we are doing in the name of Jesus!), we had a awesome time relaxing with our family.

My aunt Pat (I call her Aunti Patti) came for a visit from Oregon in early July and stayed with us.  On Friday night of her visit, we had a bunch of friends over so Pat could see them all at once.  It was a wonderful time to catch up with long-time (note… I did not say OLD!!!) friends (and their kids who have grown up soooo fast!!!) who I haven’t seen in too long.  Although, I hope that we will all do a better job of staying on touch! I didn’t get nearly as many pictures as I had hoped to!

In addition, my sister Rebecca and Nat, my nephew, came to visit!  It was a great time of catching up with family!  Louis and I even managed to take Nat and Madison (my local niece) to Water Country USA on one of those 100+ degree days! And…we managed to make it to our first Squirrels game….we won!!!  And…we had chill time with family in Mom and Dad’s back yard. I can’t believe I didn’t get a pic of my sister!!!  Argh!

Last Sunday, we also had a wonderful time of fellowship with The Walkers, who are long-time friends of Louis’ and missionaries in Panama, Brenda’s home country.  We, again, had a gathering to provide Chris and Brenda an opportunity to share the work they are doing in Panama and Chris’ online ministry, Evangelism Coach.  We had a great time meeting some new people, as we welcomed their friends into our home.  We also had a special time of prayer for the Walker Family as they serve the Lord in Panama.  (This time, I realized I got no pics of the kids…dag.)

OK….the last family/friend night….was in Charlotte, NC, Louis’ old stompin’ grounds. Right after he wrapped up his Math Degree (yes…I said MATH!!!) at Davidson, Louis served in a church across the street from Piedmont Court, one of Charlotte’s project.  He and a friend, Richard, bought a house together and lived and served there for about 5 years.  Richard lives in that same house and until recently, continued to serve that same community even though the projects had since been torn down and replaced with mixed income housing.

While assisting with his mom as she continued to heal from her knee replacement, Louis was able to reconnect with Richard.  And on our last trip to Charlotte, I was able to meet his long-time ministry partner who I had heard sooo much about.  Meet Richard…a man I have grown to love and respect….and appreciate for his sound advice. (And, Ladies…he’s single!!!!

We are sooo blessed to have friends and family who love us…and whom we love!  Being in ministry can sometimes be tough…and discouraging…but, God has blessed us with wonderful, loving, and caring family and friends with whom we can fellowship…and just chill!  We are glad to have done that…a lot…in July.