Sharing Life

Last night our family had the awesome experience of sharing life with our Crossroads Bible Church Family as we celebrated the graduation of our teens. It really brought back memories to see the pictures of children we watched grow up. And it was good to get to know some new friends who are at similar places in their life journey. What made it even more awesome were the parents of juniors and sophomores who came to serve so that we parents could enjoy our time with friends and family.

We had the privilege of spending about 24 hours with my sweet mother-in-law! She'll be 90 in July, but she's going strong, although slowly! She drove about 3-1/2 hours from Oklahoma to come to John's graduation reception last night. Being a home body, she's heading back this afternoon.

My father and his wife also came from across town (about an hour's drive) for the reception. I only had a short visit with them as those kind of events are so busy! But they didn't really expect to be able to visit with me much.

We also had an adult friend of John's make a rare appearance. He was a previous Awana leader who had a special bond with John. He is no longer attending Crossroads, but he came back after a 4-1/2-year absence just to bring John a gift and his best wishes. He didn't stay for the party but used the opportunity to see John.

I also had a chance to meet one of the men who has served as a Bible study leader for John for three years, and to thank him for his influence in John's life just by being real.

We are so blessed to have adults in our kids' lives who love God and demonstrate how to follow him, who love our kids and encourage them, who inspire them in ways that we would never be able to.

We are blessed to have a body of believers to go through life with -- the ups and the downs, sharing burdens and sorrows as well as joy and excitement. How beautiful is the body of Christ!