We have been
in the states for almost three weeks now, and we have already slept in eight
beds, been in four states, and shared five times about what God is doing at New
Day Orphanage.
Here’s a
quick recap of where we have been so far and what we’ve been doing.
Week 1:
Spent time in Nebraska with Laurie’s parents and other family members
who dropped in for a visit.
 |
| Fun to be together with my mom, niece Amanda, and sister Pam. I'm still in jet lag so I can barely keep my eyes open. |
Drove to
Carthage, MO to see Wes’ mom, where several family members dropped in to spend
some time with us as well.
Week 2: Spoke
at WellSpring Church in Bolivar, MO, Wes’ ole’ stomping grounds. He was able to
visit with several of his former college football buddies and coach, and we saw
several people from the past. While there, we went to see Wes’ stepdad who was
very ill. Although he could not really talk to us, it was good to see him as it
would be the last.
Drove to
Wagoner, OK where we spent two nights at Tulakogee Conference Center. We had
the privilege of speaking to a great group of senior adults and spending time
with our dear friends, Keith and Sandy Huddleston who had arranged this
speaking engagement. We really enjoyed ourselves and met some really neat
people and heard a great family singing group, the Link Union. Wow, they were
impressive!
After
leaving Tulakogee, we traveled to Muskogee, OK to spend some time with Wes’
brother Robbie and his wife Kelly. Sadly, Robbie’s dad (Wes’ stepdad) passed
away during the night. We returned to
Missouri to visit the family and give our condolences. Because the family did
not plan to have a funeral, we decided to go on to Texas. Although Wes was not
close to his stepfather in his adult years, he still respected him for raising
him.
We arrived
in Cleveland, TX at the end of the week and spent two nights with Mark and Beth
Cameron. Cleveland is where we lived before we left for the mission field back
in 1991. The Camerons are great friends
and we enjoyed catching up and reminiscing about the past.
Week 3: We
began this week by speaking first at Cornerstone Church, Cleveland, TX in the
Sunday School hour and in the morning service. We met some really sweet people
and made some good contacts there--looks like we will have some volunteers
coming to help from this church in the near future.
In the
evening we spoke at FBC Liberty, TX and stayed with friends, Dennis and Penny
Odell. It was great to catch up with them, see two of their children, Thomas
and Amber, and meet their sweet grandchildren. When we left many years ago,
Thomas was still running around in diapers. How did we get this old so quickly?
At the home of Dennis and Penny Odell in Liberty, TX.
For the past
few days we have been staying at the home of David and Sandy Smith, Spring, TX.
It is really amazing how God puts people together. We have never lived in the
same place, worked together, gone to the same church, but through mutual
friends, God has placed this special couple into our lives. We had a very
relaxing and enjoyable time being with David and Sandy and were absolutely
spoiled rotten by them!
At the home of David and Sandy Smith, Spring, TX
As I write
this, we are staying in the hospitality room at West Conroe Baptist Church where
we will try to get some work done before we start speaking again. Well, I guess I’d better get busy.
