the best day of our lives...

Marc and I agree that today was perhaps the best day of our lives yet. After all the wonderful festivities of Caroline's baptism this morning, this evening our church had a special service where we finally became an established church instead of a church-plant as we were before. It was a momentous occasion for our church, and we have prayed for & longed to see this happen for Providence Presbyterian Church as long as we have been in Lubbock. (and it happened on our last Sunday night here!)


So after a GREAT worship service, our church had a beautiful reception which also doubled as a farewell party for us. I can't even begin to comment on how amazing this evening was for us-- it's almost 1:00am & I can't sleep because I'm still on cloud nine. Let's just say it was like going to your funeral, except we weren't dead yet. :) Some people that were very dear to us took turns sharing stories and reflections on the time with us, and oh, it brought us to TEARS. (so forgive me-- I'm highly emotional as I write this!) In fact, I bawled pretty hard after our pastor Jim spoke some of the nicest words I've ever heard about us, and immediately afterwards, our sweet RUF students came up to us, got in a line, and hugged both me & Marc one at a time as I cried in their arms. I think it was the first time it really hit me how sad it's going to be to leave Lubbock & the dear people we love so much here. Here's a group pic of the RUF students from tonight.


After my good cry, I finally pulled myself together somewhat to take a pic with my dear friend, Anne, who has been so special to me as a godly woman and experienced Mom. :) So far, I think I have been in task mode and haven't let myself really FEEL the fact that we're leaving, but after tonight, it is going to be terribly hard to leave. Our church family has showered us for seven years with so much love, support, gifts, prayers, hugs, encouraging notes, homecooked meals, and friendship. The body of Christ is AMAZING when it is "loving one another as Christ has loved us." Marc & I have seen and felt it in a very real way today, and there is nothing on earth like it.


Many thanks to Jim & Emily (our pastor & his wife) for your friendship & co-laboring in the ministry out here in West Texas. Thank you for all that you have done for us. We love y'all and will dearly miss you, but we look forward to what the Lord is going to do through you here. Okay, that's enough of my blubbering... I promise Caroline will be back tomorrow with more cute baby pictures! :)