On Tuesday, we headed to our previous home of Keller, TX. My how it has changed! Our first stop: Chicken Express, Joey's favorite chicken restaurant. We made calls ahead of time and were able to meet up with friends, Gail, Seth and Lynette and also Randall, who we served alongside at Mt. Gilead, and his daughter, Kathryn. Kathryn was a fourth grader in my class the first year I ever taught! She is now in college! It was so good to see her and to reminisce with her. Randall is and was the music minister when Joey was the youth minister at Mt. Gilead. He and his wife, Mary, are truly a treasure to us. Mary was Andrew's first babysitter. Gail, Seth, and I became friends when I was teaching their college Sunday School class and we have remained friends ever since. His beautiful wife, Lynette, was one of Joey's youth. I cannot tell you how great it was to see them. It was so great that I never thought once, to bring out my camera!!! I guess I was just overwhelmed with the goodness of seeing them all.
After fabulous conversation and chicken we headed to the old church to get the tour of the new building. We were able to meet the new staff there and see Ms. Janie! Ms. Janie served as children's minister while we were there. I teared up at seeing her as all of the memories came flooding back. The countless times I sat in her office crying and seeking advice as a new mom and as an up and coming pastor's wife. I still remember sitting in her office telling her, after we knew we would be moving to Athens, that there is no way I could be a pastor's wife because I could not play the piano! I wept as I shared that I did not have the personality of a preacher's wife and I certainly did not have the look of one. She, in her Ms. Janie way, lovingly yet boldly looked me square in the eyes and proceeded to tell me what I had to offer as a minister's wife and some how I felt comforted and secure that I was going to be okay. Even as I type this it all washes over me like a tidal wave. There is a special place in my heart for this classy lady who lovingly directed me to confidence in Christ during a time of complete insecurity. That same insecurity sweeps over me from time to time but I will never forget her words of wisdom that comforted a young girl's heart! I love you, Ms. Janie!
We drove around Keller and showed Andrew the home we brought him to from the hospital. This was truly a treat for Joey and I. Andrew, I think, was just overwhelmed by it all because he remembers none of it. The flowerbed that Joey and I planted (our first ever) was still there! And our tree got big!!! Close to the church is our second home in Keller. The white house with the white picket fence, only the picket fence is gone now. There is a church member who lives in the house now, so I didn't get too close as not to bother her. The saddest thing was that the beautiful roses that were surrounding the house are all gone! The couple who lived there before us planted the roses: yellow, red and white, every year for their anniversary and for the wife's birthday. I always felt like those roses had a story to tell.
We packed it in on Tuesday as we continued our trek down memory lane by heading out of Keller to Bethesda Christian School, my first school as a teacher. School was just letting out so it was the perfect time to see my former coworkers and friends. More changes!!! The school has been added on to and it was fun to walk through the new doors into a new building! Finally something that hasn't changed, MARY! Mary Merrill was a kindergarten teacher at my school, Randall, the music minister's wife, Kathryn's mother and Andrew's very first babysitter! I love this woman. She worked part time and kept Andrew for me while I kept teaching until 4:30. She was such a blessing to me and it was so good to just throw my arms around her. She loves Andrew. She lit up at seeing him, of course, he was Mister Clam Up. Mary, just smiled and said, "He hasn't changed a bit." as she watched him staring at the structure of the building probably trying to figure out how the building was put together. Everyone wanted to touch Andrew's hair! They all remember him as the little blond boy whose hair sat in tiny ringlets and now it is thick, brown and wavy. Everyone asked, "Where did his curls go?" Mrs. Vaughn, the principal, was also with Mary. Her first question, "Are you moving back?" Thanks Mrs. Vaughn. I know she would take me back in a flash and that was such an encouragement. She is a very godly woman and I have missed her strong, consistent and prayerful leadership. She is an amazing principal who challenged me as a teacher and as a student of the Word.
Next stop, Nancy Berman! I caught her on the steps. Nancy was the fourth grade teacher who taught beside me. I was a terrified first year teacher and we reminisced about my "deer in the the head lights look" the first year of school! She was an amazing inspiration to me while I was at Bethesda and I miss her much. She taught me so much that year that I could never tell the half of it. She embraced me the first day I walked in the door and sheltered me under her wing all year. She made me love to teach again, after I had such a horrible internship experience at Auburn. Our room was connected by a door and I must have worn the carpet out in the spot between us as I would open the door to ask her yet another question. She is a classy lady who poured her wisdom about teaching into me but more importantly Nancy loves Jesus with such a passion that it is infectious. She challenged me daily in my spiritual walk. It was so great to see her. My only regrets this day were the shortness of the visit and the fact that the camera was still in the car being unused at this point! What was I thinking?!?
We walked with Mary and Kathryn around the building before heading out to Gail's house for a party. Finally, I brought out the camera.
Gail made fajitas, bought ice cream cake and opened up her beautiful home to us all. Thank you so much my friend!
Lillian, Seth and Lynette's daughter, and Alora became friends quick. They played Wii, football and blew bubbles outside.
Lynette and Gail gave the kids Texas souvenirs--How sweet!
My friend Travis was also able to come. These guys and gals mean so much to me and it was a blast to just hang out with them. There are so many memories that we all share together. Africa! Premiere Jewelry! The Lake! Youth Group! Crazy College Class Shenanigans! Bowling While Pregnant! And so much more! I love you all! Thanks so much for just hanging out with us! See you in Alabama soon!
1 comment:
Enjoying the blogs about your trip. Can't wait to read more. Also love the pictures.
Post a Comment