1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
It is Monday morning, and my heart rejoices over the wonderful weekend we had visiting Chip at his new place of ministry in North Alabama. (Sweet Home Alabama!) Richard and I rode up with Brian, Amy, and the kids in their 8-seater Suburban which made it a fun time of travel. It was planned that Richard and me along with Jarrett and Josh would stay with Chip while Brian, Amy, Isabella and Jaden would stay in a motel room, but Chip figured out sleeping arrangements for us all and all 8 of us stayed with him in his house for those 2 nights. (Note: a few of my pics are posted in this article but all can be viewed at
Needless to say, it was close but fun family fellowship wit Chip. We got there at about 10:30 on Friday night. Chip had arrived home in the late afternoon from a 4-day trip to West Virginia with about 70 teens and workers from his student group. He was exhausted but threw open the door to his home and his heart and welcomed us all with a hug. We got bedded down by midnight.
On Saturday morning, we awakened to Chip's 30
th birthday! Brian and Richard went and got some breakfast for us all, and our day began. Chip needed to go to the church to get some studying done so while he was gone we got some things squared away and were ready to meet him at the church at 1:00. He showed us their marvelous facility. We especially enjoyed seeing Chip's office and then the building where the student ministry meets. It is the old auditorium and is very nice. They are currently making some renovations and will be putting in a coffee cafe and a video room. Of course, Chip's main thrust is that of teaching and preaching God's Word to the teens. You can check out Chip's blog and actually read what is being taught: http://storyline24.blogspot.com/.
Chip in his church office and a view of his youth "room."
When Chip was showing us the gym in the family life center, there was a home-
schoolers basketball practice going on. In talking to one of the ladies there, it was discovered that Amy has taught or is currently the 5
th grade video teacher for that lady's children. With Amy having a married last name, the mom in Chip's church had had no way of knowing the connection between the new youth pastor and her kids' teacher. The mom was so happy to meet Amy and when the practice was over, that ladies kids were excited to meet their teacher, so that was fun!
From there, we all had CHIP'S BIRTHDAY LUNCH at Rosie's~~ a very nice Mexican restaurant that Chip enjoys in the area.
After lunch, we ALL went bowling. Over the Christmas holidays, Richard and I watched the family bowl but on Saturday, we joined in. We hadn't bowled probably in 30 years but it was lots of fun to get back on the lane. It was a fun time for the nine of us. I was too busy bowling to make pics. Ha!
After bowling, Chip needed to go back to the church to do some studying and so we all went back to his house. The four kids got their Saturday night baths and we got things squared away. Brian and Isabella went to Starbucks and then picked up Chip's favorite local pizza and 2 big birthday cookies for Chip's birthday supper. You can't do too much to celebrate your "baby" turning 30 you know. :) We had a fun dinner hour and hanging out together in Chip's den together. We all turned in at about 10:00 and were looking forward to Sunday morning.
Sunday dawned earlier than most of us were ready for, but we got up and at 'em. Chip showed, dressed, ate, and was out of the house by 8:00. The rest of us were showed, fed, dressed, packed up, loaded up, and at the church for Sunday School at 9:15. Chip wanted all 8 of us to come to his youth Sunday School service which we did~~ and totally enjoyed. Chip is a wonderful Bible teacher and kicked out a brand new format and Bible study for his teens. He is calling it "Framework" and the study will be on the principles behind the doctrines of our Faith. Each study will be in 8-week increments and over a period of 6 years, the students will study Genesis through Revelation. It was a blessing and fascinating to watch Chip teach his group of some 70-80 teens (I don't know the exact number of how many were there yesterday, but it was huge!) and to watch them interact with him. The morning worship service was wonderful. The auditorium holds 1,000. The bottom floor was quite full, and I'm not sure how many were in the balcony. With schools there starting back today, it looked like most everyone was back in their place on Sunday. The singing was uplifting and worshipful, they had a time of prayer at the altar before the preaching which was moving, and then a very good message by their interim pastor while the church waits upon the Lord regarding their next senior pastor. Chip does the announcements at the end of the service and used that time to have his family stand. Afterwards, many people came to us to let us know how much their are enjoying Chip. Of course, my mother's heart was blessed as it is evident those folks have already grown to love Chip in his first 2 months there. (Note: another church member has home-schooled her 4 sons and they all had Amy as their 5
th grade teacher. She was thrilled to meet them!)
After church, we all went to
Zaxby's for lunch and enjoyed the food and fellowship. From there, we said our good-bye's to Chip and made our long trek back home. There was a snarl on the interstate that had us virtually stopped, but we thank the Lord that the problem was resolved in 30 minutes and we were back on our way~~ returning home at just after 8:00.
We arrived home to find that Amy's and Brian's yard had been "spooned" which gave us all a big laugh. Amy and the kids got the spoons pulled up in about 10 minutes and we said good-night after unloading the Suburban.
It was a fabulously fun weekend to spend time as a family with Chip on the occasion of his 30
th birthday. I pray the Lord's richest blessings upon him and his ministry. I love you, Son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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