Another Milestone!

Another milestone in our family. My little buddy, who ain’t so little anymore, just had his 16th birthday.
I have to say, I’m pretty proud of the young man he’s becoming. He’s a great help to me in many ways. He’s a great big brother to his 5-year-old counterpart. He’s growing in his faith. I’m just thankful he still let’s me call him “Buddy.” God has been so gracious to us with all of our children. In some ways it’s tough watching them grow into adulthood and become more independent. But we knew going in that they were only on temporary loan. We just pray God will overcome our weaknesses as parents and grow all these young ‘uns into Christ honoring servants. I think this one is well on the way.

Love ya, Buddy. Happy Birthday!

21 and Counting!

21 years ago today, by the very great grace of God, this woman became my wife.

In those 21 years, I’ve dragged her through seminary housing, living with a homeless ministry, several years on an Indian Reservation, and a couple of small churches. And she’s never once complained about the low standard of living that comes with being a small church pastor.

Along the way, God blessed us with four wonderful children, whom she has done the bulk of the labor in raising and homeschooling. Our children are becoming amazing servants of Christ, largely due to their mother (and of course large doses of God’s grace). Again, she does all this without complaint.She is the very definition of what a godly woman should be. She loves Christ, loves her husband, loves her family, loves her church; pretty much in that order, as it should be.

I know that grace is an amazing thing in general. I know that receiving undeserved favor, unmerited blessing is at the core of our faith. And I am constantly amazed that God would ever love “such a worm as I.”

Though nothing can or ever will compare with that grace, I continue to marvel at the fact that God gave me Cheryl on top of it all. What a blessing to this worthless lump! And I am eternally grateful for it all.

Happy Anniversary, Cheryl! I love you more every day!

(Even if the kids do think there’s more than one dinosaur in this photo!)

Happy Father's Day!!!

Many times

You forget about

Dads, but I can tell you all

About MY dad. My

Dad is awesome,

Sweet, wonderful

Cool, and really great!

Only my dad knows how

To be the best.

Though most would think it’s their dad,

I know it’s mine, he makes me

Laugh, and keeps me on my toes

Or slouched down in my seat, ‘cuz he can be

Very

Embarrassing sometimes, but,

You know,

Only my dad is the best—

Unless he’s singing Superchic[k], just to embarrass me...

Love ya, Dad!

~LoriAnn

College Update

So, Dad wants me to give updates on college frequently, and he also wants this blog to be more active. So I figured I'd do both at the same time! Clever, am I not? ...don't answer that...lol
Updates then.
First of all, for those of you who don't know, I'm working in the bakery at the Keeter Center, which means I get to make the cookies and pies and hot butter cakes and danishes and chocolate-covered-strawberries that we sell or serve at our Sunday brunch. It's a blast-- my supervisors Nancy and Brenda are both really nice, and the girls I work with are fun to hang out with. I'm learning a ton, and trying not to snack too much. LOL
Dorm life is a brand new animal to me, but so far it hasn't been too bad. My roommate and I get along fairly well, and there's air conditioning. I'm happy. :) Oh yes, and WiFi. How did I survive before I had WiFi? *Sigh*
Anyway...it's about lunchtime, and it's my day off (YEAH!!!) so I'm going to head over to the caf (er...cafeteria for you non-college students) for some pizza and a deli sandwich if they have the provolone cheese again...
Talk later!
~LoriAnn