We Pulled Off a SURPRISE Retirement Party for Richard!

Ps 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.














Amy told me a few weeks back that she wanted to throw a retirement party for her Dad. As we talked about it, we decided to host it at our house as this last week of school is so very busy for her. We decided to make it a surprise and led her dad to think that it was a going-away party for friends who are leaving in June. He had to be given a reason for the party for we would be making food and setting up tables to host about 20 people in our home!! I made the guest list and told Richard all of the couples who would be coming. He didn't know that Brian, Amy, and the kids would be here for the party so that is how we surprised him. (NOTE: Chip wanted to be here but of course, Sundays are his big day of ministry. At over 300 miles away, he just wasn't able to buzz on down after church. We spent 5 days with Chip right after Richard's retirement and he "feted" his dad's retirement during that time.)

After all of the guests (6 couples from church: James & Ann, Jerry & Peggy, John & Jeanette, Dan & Dorothy, John & Regina, Ed & Arda ) arrived on Sunday night after church, I called Amy to ask if I could "borrow" something and if she could bring it over. Well, she and her whole family walked in and that's when Jaden handed the invitation to Grandpa and said, "Here Grandpa, read this!"

URL of video of Richard reading the invitation AT the party that you can copy and paste into your favorite browser: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=3b93043a744af0c259c5

We had a good meal with Chipped Ham Bar-B-Que sandwiches (Brian's mother's recipe that Amy recommended), potato chips, a veggie tray, and a mixed fruit bowl.

After we ate, we had a "Congratulations, Richard" cake with coffee or punch. Here is the URL for the video of the group singing and of Richard and the grandkids waiting to blow out the candle: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=63c71afd2721bf306c53

Everyone gave Richard some retirement exhortations using words starting with the letters R-E-T-I-R-E-M-E-N-T and that was fun. Richard opened the cards from our friends and then it was time to wind down as ALL OF THOSE WORKING PEOPLE had to get home to bed and be ready for the Monday morning alarm. We didn't set ours. :) Here are some pics of our fun evening:

Christmas Party Blessings

Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.


The tables are set and we await our guests as we come together to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.... (Click on any pic to enlarge for a better view)



Richard and I always enjoy hosting our annual "Couples Christmas Party" which this year included inviting 8 couples to our home. This year we were privileged to have our new pastor and co-pastor and their wives attend as our very special guests. We have grown to love Dr. Neal and Tracy and Dr. Lloyd and Karen. (I don't use last names on my blog.) In addition, the following couples came: John and Jeanette, Jeff and Sandra, Ed and Arda, James and Ann, Jerry and Peggy, and Larry and Margie. With Richard and me, there were 9 couples so we had 3 tables set to accommodate 3 couples at each. The ladies helped with the meal so we had delicious food and precious fellowship. Richard and I can only hope that our friends enjoyed it half as much as we did. Here are some pics from our party which was held on Sunday night, December 9.

Ed and Arda are the first to arrive. Here comes Arda with her tray of veggies and dip.


Jeanette and Karen visiting.


Fellowshipping during dinner...


We played a Christmas Carol game and then shared around the circle...




Our friends graciously posed for pics...



Merry Christmas from Richard and Susan!