Family Time in Tennessee
Good afternoon!
The DVD from our trip to Tennessee is attached to this post. Just click on the printed words above if you want to view it.
We had such a blessed and needed time with all of our family in one place at one time.
Some joy moments:
Stew stayed healthy and did so well!
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs. Never underestimate the power of a hug. Hugs communicate the hope, encouragement, comfort, joy and love that our words inadequately express. Our little Bethania didn't talk quite as much as everyone else, but the abundant hugs she shared melted our hearts and brought many many smiles...as did those of everyone else.
Driving up their drive way each morning to see sweet faces on the porch waiting to greet us, and leaving at night to those same sweet faces waving goodbye.
Line dancing and doing country swing with our grandchildren in the living room . So much laughter, fun, and stepping on each others' feet.
Family meals at a huge table in Ben and Nili's lovely home. A dream realized. Even before Stew and I had children I would dream about about one day having family get- togethers around a huge table filled with lots of happy faces, animated conversations, and prayer. Dreams come true!
Steeler corn hole games.
Horseback riding.
Swimming and Marco Polo.
Spud. A game that was taught to us by my mom and has been played by every generation since.
Reading books together, coloring, playing games, and quiet conversations.
Sitting on the front porch. Big front porch!
Gifts of notes and artwork given for us to take home.
Family Worship.
Visiting Ben and Nili's new church home and meeting some of those on staff. It meant so much to see that in this new place God has them, there are already people who care for their family.
Stew and Ben recreating a skit they had performed many years ago when we were youth pastors and Ben was a youth. Oh my gosh!! They were so funny.
The sweet friend who went the extra mile (s) and drove to our house each day from Allen to take care of plants and make sure all was well in our home.
Coming home to find food in our refrigerator and fruit on our counter.
And, the totally amazing miraculous gift given to us of a private plane with pilot to fly us to Tennessee and back home. We were overwhelmed and shocked by the generosity and kindness of those who made it happen. There are no words to express our gratitude to them. We had absolutely no clue something like that would happen to us. It made the trip so easy and comfortable for Stew. I think we are still stunned. What a lesson it was and is of how our God does so much more than we can even think or comprehend!
Thank you for praying with us that we would get to make this trip. We appreciate the way you stay with us in the battles and in the joys. Still praying that you reap in abundance all the seeds you sow into our lives and the lives of others for the kingdom.
With much love,
Stew and Deb
