WHAT A BLESSED WEEKEND!

What a great way to wake up on Monday!  61 degrees and cool in the valley this AM after a blessed weekend for our church family in Trenton.  On Saturday we had our Philippine Mission Day and after it was over had three new people committed to work with Chris Gerber and me during our April 2012 trip.  We have a retired couple who are experienced mission workers in several countries and a brother who has been travelig and working in India for several years, so we are delighted to have 3 more experienced workers for the Lord's work in the Philippines. 

After the mission day ended we spent some time getting ready for the next day...our Homecoming and 174th Anniversary at the Trenton church of Christ. 

On Sunday morning, Jamie and I were at the building early getting our food unpacked, helping others bring theirs in and making sure everything was rolling along as we greeted the folks arrivng.  We had a good crowd of 57 for our 9:30 AM lesson when brother Marlin Graves gave a great lesson "Any Old Bush Will Do" from Exodus 3.  After Bible class, I noticed the crowd was really coming in steadily and in good numbers.  By the time 10:30 arrived and services began, we had 136 present for worship!  It was the largest crowd for a Sunday service since we got here 8 years ago.  I kept hearing from those returning how great the attitude and atmosphere was at Trenton now.  That was so uplifting and encouraging to me to see the positive progress at this great church! Then at lunch--our ladies had done such a great job of getting the food to the building and serving the delicious meal!  It was our first major event in our remodeled fellowship hall and it went great!  Over 100 people stayed and ate and then stayed around and visited for a long time!  It was wonderful to see people who love each other so much!

As has become our tradition here, there was enough food that we came back together after evening service for the left overs!  We had 60 for evening servce and about 50 stayed and eat!  It is a great blessing to be a part of a great group that loves God and loves each other!

This week, Jamie and I are working on our individula punch lists to get things finished before we head south for the start of the pre-wedding events for Leigh and Nate's wedding on Thursday. I am looking so forward to being with the wedding party this weekend as we get to spend a weekend in Orange Beach.  Jamie and I can really use a little quiet time and to get to spend time together with our family and the two soon to new members is a blessing I am really looking forward to.
When I am up early and praying, I can't help but be thankful for all the blessings God has placed in my life from my parents and sisters and thier families, Jamie and our girls, great son in laws and a perfect granddaughter and a wonderful church to be blessed to work with.  God has really been good to me and I am so blessed!