Farewell Party

I was personally uncomfortable having a "farewell party".  After all, we are still going to be living in the same place and seeing the same people at various functions.  Neither one of us likes all the attention on us (well, that's what Max said privately to me, although I think he often thrives on being the center of attention. . . maybe it's just this particular type of attention that he doesn't like.)  Anyway, I think another reason I didn't want a farewell is because in the back of my mind I was hoping that we would come back to our beloved church. . . if not immediately, maybe some day.  But the truth is, we have no idea what the Lord has in store for us in the future, so we have to look at the present and see that God is clearly leading us away from our church at this time, and take things one step at a time.

In the end, I think we were both grateful for this party and overwhelmed by the love and appreciation we felt last night.  Bill did a great job emceeing the whole thing.  Jake, Crystal, Andrea, Brian, Becky, Trip and Glenn said such heartwarming, memorable and funny things.  So many people wrote such kind words in a guest book that we will cherish for many years to come.  It kind of actually felt like a wedding. . . or as Brian put it- this is the closest anyone will ever come to attending their own funeral - with all the pictures of us that were up and the "eulogies."

At the end Max got up to speak, but was speechless.  After what seemed like several minutes, he finally fought back tears to thank everyone.  Then he said that he felt like the most loved person in the world that night.  This was a special night for us, and we will certainly miss our SPEP family. 

We have also been touched by the amount of people who have so graciously and generously blessed us financially during this time.  We are continuously in awe of God's kindness and provision for us.  Thank you.