A Weekend of Friends

Over the last several days we have been visiting and reconnecting with friends and family.  We went to lunch with Jeff and Jeanine Fields of Friday and had a great time catching up with them.    We also were able to spend some time with Charlotte's aunt - Flossie Martin.  She stopped by Charlotte's parents home to visit and brought a delicious homemade blueberry pie!  Saturday we spent some time with Holly and Parrish Dalrymple and their boys, and also got to see Doug and Ann Dalrymple.  It was a great time fellowshipping with them.  

Somewhat unexpectedly, we were able to see Kris and Shana Mullis and their family of three girls.  Kris is a very close friend of mine.  I was with Kris when he accepted Christ and had the joy of baptizing him.  I have seen him grow in spiritual maturity.  He surrendered to the ministry several years ago, and God has been using Kris and his family in a great way.  Presently, Kris is a Chaplin with the Bureau of Federal Prisons in Jessup, Georgia.

Today, I preached at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Bluff Springs, Florida - about 45 minutes from Pensacola, Florida.  This is the church that Charlotte's mother - June Martin - plays the piano for.  We had a great time getting to know this sweet congregation.

After church this morning, we drove down to Pensacola.  We went by Sharon and Steve Register's home.  I have known the Registers for many years. They are good friends of my parents, and have always extended their love for us.  They even attended Charlotte and my wedding 17 years ago.  We had fun catching up with them, and then went to their church with them at Olive Baptist Church.  Ted Traylor is the pastor at Olive.  He is a godly man, which is evident in talking with him and hearing him preach.  I had the privilege of sharing briefly with the congregation at Olive about how God is leading our family to Costa Rica.

After the service, I met a young woman who is from Costa Rica.  Her name is Susana Mendoza-Kepner.  She shared with me that her father and grandfather are pastors in Costa Rica.  I hope to be able to meet these men when I arrive in Costa Rica.

Tonight I got a call from a good friend of mine who is currently going through the process to be an IMB missionary.  Please pray for Kenny and Lesley Vines.  God is leading them to serve in Zambia.  Pray for them as they are trying to sell their home in difficult economic times. 

The time is drawing near for us to go to Richmond.  It's hard to believe that the time is here.  We will begin our two months of orientation on January 26th.  

Thank you so much for all the prayers that have been lifted up for us.  This means more to us than you could ever know.  We also appreciate the comments that have been left on the blog.  These are very encouraging to us.