What can I say? Seems she's the pick of the patch!

Touching Base

It has been a while since I posted anything. Mom has had surgery so please pray for her recovery. Things are a bit busy and I tend to be overwhelmed at times, but God is good. Things at school are going well. Timothy, my youngest surrendered to the ministry and has done well so far in school. Jonathan is looking for the place God would have him serve, so please pray for he and his family. Niah is just cute. I miss seeing them all, but especially her. If they were close, she'd have no problem wrapping me around her finger. I'm looking forward to her first Christmas.

Jack Story and I completed our 54 mile bike ride. I should have posted the ride on my blog so that people could donate so much per mile. We did that within the church to raise funds for his MTL travel fund. I survived. Continue to pray for our ministries and missionaries.

Cutie!

This is Cathy's favorite of many that Jonathan, our son, sent to us last week. I have to admit, she tugs at my heart with those big blue eyes!

Catching up...

Well its been a few days since my last blog. Jonathan, Kristine and Niah came up for a visit last week and went to church with us. Easter Services went well, and despite many of our church family out of town, we had good attendance. The summer is soon to be here and with all that is on schedule, proves to be a busy one. I am overwhelmed that God has allowed me to be a part of His Kingdom work.

"nuff said

Immense Joy

Not only has God allowed me to witness and experience the birth of Niah and the interaction of Jonathan and Kristine, but He graciously permitted me to watch Cathy's reaction as well. What is she thinking? I can imagine it is a mixture of joy, awe and gratitude. I can only think that it's all welling up to the point of bubbling over in that joyful smile that makes her eyes sparkle full of love and gleeful exuberance. God is always blessing me; in good times and in the hard times too... and every now and then, He gives us an experience much like the one caught here... and with a full heart, I bow in adoration and praise.

Just to Share

The happy family. Mom, Dad and Niah are doing great. It was good to not only be there with Jonathan and Kristine, but to watch them as they began to adjust to Niah's arrival in their home. They were anticipating her arrival, but like as all, they couldn't imagine the impact and influx of love. I'll await with anticapation and joy as I get to watch, learn and see Niah's life unfold.

The Family
Posted by Hello

Pictured from left to right are: Timothy, Gary, Cathy, Andy Justison our son-in-law, daughter Amanda, Jonathan and his wife Kristine (Gregg) Woodring

Reflections of a New Granddad...

It was good to see the family. Almost everyone was here to see Niah. Shawn, Mike and David left for Indiana yesterday afternoon. Mandy and Andy have just left for home today. After saying goodbye to my mom and Rose, (thanks for the LR B&B) we've headed to Jonathan's abode. We too will be leaving today. We may or may not drive to spend the night with Andy and Amanda in Evansville before heading back to Anderson. They are heading for England later this month. Timothy seems to have enjoyed his week of independence. Jonathan and Kristine are adjusting well. They have the look of new parents... tired but joyful. Their's is a life of upcoming adjustments as they get to know Niah. It was also good to see our friends at Faith in North Little Rock too. What a privilege to be at church with my son, daughter-in-law and Niah. I will be able to say that I was in church with them on the first day she went to church. I marvel at God's goodness and grace towards us, as we celebrated His love, and introduced Niah to what I pray will be a life long event... celebrating and worshipping our loving God and Savior! I pray that God greatly use her in her life, and give her the strength, faith and courage to meet the challenges and opportunity that life affords. What an awesome God we serve!

Niah's Entrance

Cathy and I have adjusted well to the reality of being grandparents. Niah was born healthy and alert. Mom and daughter are doing well. It was great as a dad to watch the interactions of the new parents with their daughter as well as that of both sets of grandparents. Already respectful and appreciative, Niah I believe in her short lifetime has brought us even closer. As the family gathered around the room, grandparents, new parents and one uncle, David Gregg, we prayed that Niah would come to know God's love and that we would provide for her the guidance, teaching and mentoring she would need to fulfill God's purpose for her life.

This new chapter promises to be exciting; all that others have told us that it would be. I look forward to getting to know Niah and seeing God's plan unfold for her life. I'm already praying that her heart be receptive to the message of His love for her as well as to her future. For those who I'll come to see in the next few days: I have pictures... lots of them.

On a holding pattern...

Cathy and I are on a holding pattern. Things have been gathered and are ready to load into the car the minute we get the call that our grandaughter, Nia, is on the way. Of course we are praying that Kristine has a safe and uneventful delivery and that both she and Nia are well. We appreciate the prayers and support of all our friends and family. Amanda and Andy as well as Timothy are looking forward to being the Aunt and Uncles. And I know that both Kristine and Jonathan can't waith to hold their precious daughter. They've anticipated her arrival with joy and some anxiety. I'm praying that they will be the parents God intends, and that the grandparents show wisdom and live a godly example as well.

Busy.... Busy

It's been awhile since my last blog, but I thought I'd jot a line saying that I'm busy, obviously too busy to blog. The church is doing great, and IBI is back in session as well. We've had new students enroll for the spring semester. We're also embarking on a new mission point as a church. Brother Barnett has been endorsed and sent by our church to Sheridan, Indiana. Check out his newsletter on our church website. He will continue to help with the school and serve as president.

On a personal note, Cathy and I are excited about the upcoming birth of our first grandchild. We find ourselves meandering into the baby section of stores when we're out together.