Vacation

We had the wonderful opportunity to take a 8 day vacation to beautiful Hawaii just before Christmas. Mele Kalikimaka!! It was a wonderful relaxing time to take in 75 degrees and sunny weather and take a break from the cold and other daily stresses of life. We spent 2 days in Honolulu and toured Pearl Harbor, took a 12 mile hike to Diamondhead and back (the hotel map LIED on how far Diamondhead was from our hotel!), and took a driving tour of Oahu. Memories include watching the finishers of the Honolulu marathon after 9 hours of walking/running, changing a flat tire together, having pineapple ice cream at the Dole Plantation, and watching surfers make it look easy on those 10 foot waves and freezing water! We then flew on a short flight to Kauai and spent 4 days there. We alternated days of getting out and sitting by the pool reading a book. Memories include a beautiful drive and hike at Waimea Canyon, Jo Jo's Shave Ice (ice cream on the bottom of a great sno-cone), waterfalls, sunrises, and sunsets, lava rock, one lane bridges, the Secret Beach (have to hike in .5 miles to find it), Smith's Family Luau, Beach House Restaurant at Poipu, taking in all the shades of green and blue that our Amazing God has created. We both read a full book while there. I read "The Shack" and Jeff read "Same Kind of Different as Me." We recommend them both. Very thought provoking and challenging to ponder. We love no alarm clocks and coming unglued from cell phones and computers and demands to get refreshed. Many thanks to dear friends Sam and Paige for sharing their tour book. It was right on!! If you go you must take THIS BOOK. I also want to thank my wonderful husband for planning ahead and knowing we would need a vacation and for using all his points to take us on a great trip. I hope you'll plan ahead if possible to take some time in 2010 to reassess and refresh and stay focused on what's important. Enjoy some photos from our trip.

Lovelady Center

This has to be the most comprehensive ministry I have ever seen! Our Church among hundreds of others is partnering with the Lovelady Center to help out. It houses approximately 400 women and children from all types of struggles from those getting out of prison, possibly going to prison, drugs and alcohol, abusive situations, you name it! It's located in an old hospital in East Birmingham and is totally faith-based. It takes no government funding and has been around since 2005. They have classes of all kinds preparing women for the work force and life. They bus kids to school, provide 3 meals/day, and mainly provide the truth that Christ is the way to healing and restoration and can guide you to the life he has planned for you. The founder, Brenda Lovelady Spahn, said, "The Lovelady Center is not a halfway house. There is nothing half-way about it!" After Jeff and I toured it and helped with their Adopt A Room project, we totally agree.

This is the only facility of its kind in the USA that allows women who have custody of their children to keep their children with them. The rooms are hospital rooms and are in need of repainting etc. They asked for volunteers to Adopt-a-Room and come in on a Fri night and repaint and provide new bedding. We partnered with a couple from our small group and did just that and it was a blast! WE got to meet this young lady and hear her story and God has done a powerful work in her life and she is on her way. We got word she liked bright colors so we didn't hold back. We went for pink walls and bright green doors and matching bedding. It felt like a mini Home Makeover. She loved it and was so grateful. It was fun to see her bring her friends by to see.

Thanksgiving 2009

Jeff and I had to start the rotation this year to fully enjoy the holidays. So round one is Thanksgiving with the Carver's in Baton Rouge. Holidays are not always rosy or anticipated by many due to stresses of many kinds. Lord, keep us sensitive to what is going on in the lives of those around us! We did get to enjoy a wonderful traditional holiday that is my kind of holiday: surrounded by those you love, time to think and thank God for your blessings, lots of laughs and family stories, eating food you don't get to eat all at one time, lots of good football (Bulldogs victorious over the Rebels and LSU beat Arkansas - good weekend!), taking in a movie, worshiping together as a family... Jeff and I ran our first race together: The Turkey Trot in downtown Baton Rouge. He had a strong kick and I pulled in 30 seconds behind him trying to keep up.

Jeff and I actually do enjoy car time together for good lengthy talks that somehow you don't do with the "usual" of life. We took time to count our blessings as we drove and thought of many family and friends, the grace of God, our church and Sunday school class, our jobs and home, our marriage,...the list is countless...Enjoy some pix from the weekend. Next holiday we'll rematch the "old folks" vs. "young folks" in Taboo.

Transformation

"Friends, Romans and Countrymen, Lend me your Ears!" The Bathroom remodel project will be officially over in the morning when Jeff reviews receipts with Chris, our contractor, and writes the last check. It's been 6 weeks and it has been quite a transformation. We have been thoroughly pleased with the workers, the work, and the final result. We would definitely recommend our contractor if you are pondering any remodeling work. He communicated well, stayed on task and stayed true to the contract.

I pondered the time I went up there and we saw it completely "gutted". One might say, "What a mess!!!" I had a picture of the end result in my head and knew the mess was temporary. I thought of how before we came to Christ, our lives were quite a mess! But God knew when he looked at us that a transformation needed to happen. If we'd hang on, the end result would be worth it. So as we watched this project unfold and come to completion, it makes us thankful that God is still working in us and in YOU and is gutting us of things that don't matter and building us up into people who look more like and love more like Him. He knows what the end result should be. So for those who followed this process, thank you for your interest and asking us about the project. You are welcome any time to slide around on the floors, pick your mirror to check your lipstick, and feel free to flush! Scroll down to 6 weeks ago and check out the "Before" photo album...WOW, what a transformation!

Thanks especially to my friend, Nan, who went with me to pick out things, stopped in to check out the process about halfway through and came by tonight to marvel with me over the results! She brought us an "Oops I forgot Something" basket to put in our guest bathroom. SOOO thoughtful! Thank you, Nan!

Jeff's parents will be here tomorrow night to spend time with us. They will get the maiden voyage in the new quarters. (Good thing that shower door went up today!! :))

Lady BullDogs get a new Dressing Room

Jeff and I met Robert/Andrea/Brodie in Starkville for the MSU/U. Florida Football weekend. It was full and fast! My (Cathy) dad was being honored that afternoon before the football game a the ribbon cutting for the MSU Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team's new locker room. He gave a very generous donation that rendered the Team Room named after him. Dad remained anonymous for a very long time until the administration twisted his arm to put a name with a donation to encourage others to give. If you think about it, it does make giving more personal and challenging when you know people that are generous. I asked dad why the ladies basketball team...His response: "They need it. They do a great job with the ladies in coaching and investing in them as student athletes...They don't get the press that men's teams do and they deserve it..." So Robert, Jeff and I went to the ribbon cutting and were very proud of him. We got to meet other donors, Coach Sharon Fanning, some of the team as well as the President of MSU, Dr. Mark Keenum, who is a native of Greenwood, MS. (We went to the same elementary school!) Love Small World Experiences! Dad, thanks for demonstrating generosity...I know the Lady Dogs appreciate it!
We had the thrill of being a part of the largest crowd in MSU history at a football game in Davis Wade Stadium for the Florida game. We fought hard and were proud of the Bulldogs. Keep an eye out - the team is improving! Don't overlook the Dogs - we might bring an upset!

Of course there has to be a cute Brodie pic...

For those interested...the bathroom has final touches so there will be one last post in the next couple of days to show you the final result. It looks so great! We are very excited and invite you all to Chateau Carver for a shower or flush! :)

Bathroom week 4

Lots of progress this week. Should be finished in one more week. Here's a an update...more later.

Don't Forget Where You Came From

I grew up in the Mississippi Delta, Greenwood, MS! This past Friday night Pillow Academy celebrated Homecoming and brought back championship teams from it's inaugural year, 1969 and also for 1979, 1989, and 1999. I was on the 1989 State Championship Cross Country team. So Jeff and my dad and I drove to Greenwood Friday night and enjoyed seeing lots of people I have not seen in many years. I got to introduce Jeff (and show him off) to many friends from my high school days. What fun to laugh and remember things from high school. Everyone is doing well and seemed great. I was thankful for teachers and coaches that influenced me and was reminded of the blessings of friends who impacted my growth. We have all grown up and it was neat to see the directions we have all taken. Not sure we can all run 6 minute miles (sub 5 minute miles for Charlie) anymore but we all still have our own joints! I firmly believe we must not ever forget who God puts in your life as you are growing up because He uses all that to shape us into who He wants us to be now - for our Good and His Glory. We are not finished growing and are influencing others one way or the other as we live. Ponder where you came from...Don't forget your roots. Track down a teacher or coach and send them a note or call or email of thanks.
Way to Go Mustangs!


I tracked down my former Gymnastics/Ballet Coach. I quit gymnastics at the age of 13 but never forgot Aubrey. I'm thankful my parents introduced me to gymnastics and ballet and to her. At the time, I could have done without the ballet but it was good for me. I can watch ballet now and appreciate the skill. The callouses on my hands came from the uneven parallel bars and those on my feet from the toe shoes. At one time, I could do 5 back handsprings - remember that was 23 years ago! I also know I can't quit and have to practice, practice, practice to do things with excellence because that's what she did. And she made it fun! I cannot watch the Nutcracker or hear it's music without thinking of her because we performed it under her direction twice. She had a glow and still does. She is still coaching. I saw her for 30 seconds on Saturday in between floor routines at a competition in Starkville, MS. What a true joy to see her! Thanks for all you did for me, Aubrey! You are grace and beauty and I appreciate you!

Remodel after 3 Weeks

It's shaping up! We have lights, carpet has been put back in place in the bedrooms and doors are back on in the bedrooms. The walls are prepped for paint and subfloor has been made read for tile. What a process! We have been very please so far with how hard the guys are working. Next week will be big as they lay tile and put in vanities and paint...Whew! Here's the progress:

Remodel after Week 2

Lots of action on the 2nd floor of the Carver house...Plumbers, electricians, inspectors, and all kinds of tools...the tub has been installed and we have passed inspections. We learned that one of the Codes for the City of Hoover is that you must have smoke detectors in every bedroom and hallway of your house and they must be all wired together on their own circuit. So you guessed it...we are about to get new smoke detectors all wired together...
We had a "small world" experience too...long story short the owner of the plumbing company is one of my former patients...Neat to know he's back working and doing well. Never know when people will come back into your life...Here's some pix showing progress...to orient you, you are standing at the top of stairs and it goes from left to right.

Remodeling is Underway

The men from Crown Designs have not let dust settle under their feet this week! It's been gutted and framed and the plumbers have moved things around. Jeff and I go up stairs each night to check out the damage, I mean progress :)) The City Inspectors come early next week to check for things to be done according to "code". We stood up there one night and said, "No turning back now!" My friend, Nan, came by again to confirm my tile choice and change of paint color. Assurance from another is always nice! Thanks, Nan! You know she has style, since she grew up in Indianola, MS...less than 30 miles from where I grew up in Greenwood. We'll see what happens this next week! If you scroll your cursor over each picture, it will tell you where you are in the bathroom.

Bathroom Renovation

Some of you know Jeff and I have been working through the process of deciding whether to remodel our upstairs bathroom. We started this process in May to determine what the cost would be to see if we could even afford it. We had 4 contractors come and then had them all come back to revise the quotes because our plan completely changed. We have learned so much and received such wisdom from others as we have gone through this process. Friends from our Sun. School class told us about Darren who has truly been a Godsend! He guided us in how to navigate talking the lingo with contractors and what we should be looking for...building permits, insurance, contracts, payments...Our closing attorney told us about Lien Waivers and whether to have the guys have worker's comp. We have done our best to check on everything because of a very bad experience I had a couple of years ago. Memories don't fade and lessons hard learned tend to stick with you, needless to say.
THe quick run down:
1. Get several quotes and ask lots of questions.
2. Don't let them intimidate you; they work for you.
3. Get references and go look at the work and talk to the reference about the process and did the contractor communicate well, come back and finish the last details, timeliness etc...That was very helpful!!
4. Make sure the contractor has liability insurance. Get a copy of it and determine if it's enough.
5. Check your homeowner's insurance and make sure it's in full force during a project.
6. Ensure a "Hold Harmless" statement is in your contract so they can't sue you if someone gets hurt on the job and you have a "Lien Waiver" agreement so they can't come repo that tub because someone didn't pay the bill.
7. Take a couple of people with you to pick out everything! Thanks, Julie and Nan for your insights and ideas! Wow, I shudder to think what this bathroom might look like if I had been on my own! Take people with style and experience!!

That's a few insights for starters...more to come!
Enjoy the "Before" Photos. I'll keep you posted on the process. We start on Monday and will be done in about 4 weeks.

Happy Birthday Cel!

Birthday Club meets again to celebrate Cel this month. She turned 30 something again! Her restaurant of choice was Habaneros and we enjoyed wonderful fellowship and catching up. Cel, thanks for who you are! She's hilarious, loves Jesus, faithful and loyal, incredibly dedicated to a whole slew of kindergarten kids, and she takes no shortcuts! Her goal in life is to honor the Lord with all that she is and she sharpens all of us to do the same. We have been through some thick and thin together and looking forward to more! Thanks for 13+ years of committed friendship!

Dot and Gus

Jeff and I enjoyed sitting down with my mother, Lacey, and her husband, Jim and 2 other dear family members: Dot and Gus Weiters. Dot is my mother's 1st cousin. She and Gus celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 7, 2008. That date sound familiar? Yes, it was our wedding day. They chose along with all their family to come to our wedding and celebrate their big day another time. Dot has done lots of genealogy about our family, the Lacey's. She has traced back to General Edward Lacey, in the 1800s...She had so many stories about people in our heritage. She and Gus have a sweet relationship and care deeply for each other. We truly enjoyed our visit and are so reminded of how blessed we are with a wonderful extended family & what a honor to share the same wedding date. Jim, that bolognese sauce was great!!!

Girls Night Out

It was Girls Night out for the ladies of the Hinton Sunday School Class. Meet Lindsey, Heather, Dana, Allison, and Kristie. This is a really neat group and we discovered talents some of us didn't know we had. We enjoyed testing our artsy side at Sips N Strokes. We laughed at each other and with each other and had fun. Everyone should be very impressed with our work! Yes we all were taught by the same instructor with the same example picture to work from and had the same colors to work with. Isn't it cool how we are all wired differently and have different perspectives...Isn't God creative in how He made us!?! Looking forward to next time!

Hope

Watch this: Hope
This was very powerful and had me flooded in tears...I have not been so moved in a long time until I saw this...Real people with Real needs with REAL Hope...Ponder it...What would your cardboard say?

Small Group

Meet our small group: Sam and Paige (left), Chris and Amanda (Top Center), Michael and Jennifer (sitting center). What a neat group! We didn't know each other that well until we all ended up in a marriage mentoring group through our church, Hunter Street . We are all fairly new in this marriage thing and want to build good foundations. It's been great sharing life together and encouraging each other to grow in the Lord and give good ideas on how to do marriage God's way. We love you guys!

Time for a Day Off

Jeff and I actually took a real day off in the middle of the week to enjoy some rest before he starts back in the swing of a full semester. So some swinging we did...We played 18 holes at the Oxmoor Valley Par 3 course. I have never played 18 holes of golf and actually only been to a driving range a few times. It's a fascinating and frustrating sport and more of a workout than it looks if you walk the course. I think I see the gospel in golf...Think about it: You can work as hard as you can and practice as long as you want and you'll never full master the game...Same thing with eternal life...you can work as hard as you want to be as good a person as you can, and it's not enough next to God's holiness. You (and I) need a Savior...as so did my golf ball! It was a fun and sweaty day and we only lost one but redeemed it by finding one later on...yet another picture of how God works: you and I are lost in the trees and he redeems us and gives us hope and purpose of finishing the course! It was a fun day and I'm thankful for a wonderful husband who knows when I need a day off and makes me take it...we both needed it! Watch out PGA/LPGA :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's your special day and thanks for being you! The Rendezvous awaits!!! We love you!

Augusta in August

You know there are friends who can only be described as refreshing to be around and that's Julie! She's a wonderful hostess who knows the importance of little things! She had chocolates and water bottles on the bedside tables with personalized labels on them. Extra mile!! She invited us to come to Augusta for a visit and we had a wonderful time. She and I got our "girl time" with a jog along the river and I got a tour of the VA where she serves our mighty vets who some are returning from Iraq. She's a fabulous OT who does not cut corners and works with excellence and I enjoyed seeing where she works day in and day out. She gave us a driving tour to see the sights including the entrance to the Master's course where you can barely see the clubhouse in the distance. We also enjoyed seeing the History Museum where we saw exhibits of Civil War History, the exhibit about the Master's, and the newly added exhibit on James Brown. We had a very nice dinner at a cool restaurant called the Bees Knees. We enjoyed meeting a very special friend of hers, Sam. Neat guy and great things he is doing! We are praying for him to pass a huge medical test next month! Go get 'em Sam! Thanks for taking us to your church and for the wonderful conversations and quality time. Looking forward to your visit to Bham in Sept. We'll be scoping out the restaurants! All our best to the Management of the Crestview Inn! Augusta is a nice southern town but it's a better place because Julie lives there!

Friends to Lock Arms With

To Stacy and Alisa and Brian and Heather we say Thanks to God and Thanks to you for your love and friendship! We so love your company and sharing life together. What a gift to have dear friends you can share your heart with and walk through life together. We'll get your back and you get ours and thanks for investing in us! We enjoyed seeing the Sprayberry's new house and sharing good conversation!

The Joys of Having a Nephew

Brodie Lee Henderson was born to Robert and Andrea July 31, 2007 and we celebrated his 2 year birthday on July 25th in Memphis at the home of their friends. Brodie was adorable as always and his favorite things are trucks and tractors. Jeff and I got to spend time keeping him Sat. afternoon and evening while Rah (my name for Robert) and Andrea went away for the night. As long as Brodie has a truck or tractor he's a happy guy. He's learning lots of words and on the go! We loved seeing their new church and meeting their great friends! Rah and Andrea really "get it" on building relationships, serving others, and sharing the love of Christ to all types of people. They are great parents to our precious nephew! We love you!

Only in Alabama

Jeff saw this just outside of Birmingham when he stopped to get gas. Hope they found the owner :))

40 years!

On July 21, 1969 Jim and Doris said "I do" in Seveirville, Tn. From there their journey of marriage would move them to Athens, GA and on to College Station, Tx only to finally land in Baton Rouge, LA. We had the joy of surprising them with the help of their dear friends, the TerHaars to celebrate. We had to tweak the plan a little because Doris decided she had to be in New Jersey for a meeting. Thanks, Jim for helping us get her home early. With the help of Bobby, Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Lamar and Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Bob and Bobby, we got them good with a surprise dinner at one of their favorite spots. It was a lot of fun! Doris had just talked on the phone to Bobby thinking the whole time he was in Houston but he was only a few miles away! We had a fun family weekend consisting of taking family photos on LSU's campus and getting to see Jim and Doris' offices and playing games and laughing. It was a great time as a family to celebrate their marriage and how God has blessed them and used them to encourage us all in what a solid marriage grounded in the grace of God and with lots of effort can look like. We love you! Enjoy some pix from the weekend.

Our First Anniversary

Jeff and I had a wonderful 1st anniversary trip to Mentone, Al. It was a perfect weekend of rest, enjoying a wonderful hike at Desoto State Park, reading, taking in the awesome Creation at Little River Canyon, and reflecting back on all that God has done in our first year of marriage. We relived our wedding day by watching the video of our ceremony and expressing much thankfulness for our family and friends and God's perfect timing for us to find each other.
We defined what it means to be on vacation: no alarm clocks, no schedules, taking time to do things you really enjoy doing without hurrying because you have to be somewhere, laughter and making memories. We highly recommend this little hidden place on the map for a great time away to connect and slow down with people you love.
We took our time to get home and stopped in Scottsboro, AL to eat at Payne's where everyone in the restaurant knew each other including the lady making sandwiches. Jeff got a real fountain drink (Dr. Pepper) and we had a real milkshake made from a machine that had to have been there since it opened in 1864. While in Scottsboro we checked out Unclaimed Baggage and then drove over to Fort Payne to walk around Akin's Furniture or better known as "Dogtown".
Here's a few pictures from the weekend.

Investing in Others

That's what Allison Fracchia did. I took at job at Methodist Rehab Center in Feb. 2003 and worked there until July 2005. I thought I was going there to work mostly doing SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) PT and some clinical research. The research part didn't really get off the ground but I got interested in what Allison was doing in the wheelchair/seating clinic. She was evaluating and fitting people to custom manual and power wheelchairs that truly effected their daily lives. It was a lot to think about and a lot to learn. She took me under her wing and let me help and learn and eventually start doing them on my own. After that time with her, I sought a position to be able to do just that, which is how I ended up back at UAB doing it part time and part time outpatient PT. Thanks again, Allison for investing in me and for all you do for people. She doesn't cut corners. She thinks things all the way through and advocates for patients. This pic is from a recent trip to Cleveland, OH in which we with 80 other PTs were invited to a major manufacturer of wheelchairs to learn and give feedback. We went to a Cleveland Indians game while there.

Dad has Back Surgery

On May 27 I (Cathy) drove to Tuscaloosa to meet my dad to be with him as he would have a lumbar laminectomy procedure done. Dad has had chronic right knee pain for most of the last 2 years and after a total knee surgery in Dec. the pain had not resolved. His MD suggested checking out his back and wouldn't you know it the root of the pain was coming from his low back. The body is so complex and amazing that issues affecting one part can come from others. So thanks to Dr. Barrett, dad's back is healing and no more knee pain! Most of you know I have been a licensed physical therapist (PT) for 13 years now. I have had the honor of being with my dad through some surgeries over the last several years. We have decided it is better for me to be daughter vs. PT. You parents out there think things that happen to your kids are hard to watch. The feeling is mutual. When things hit close to home, it really affects you. When dad had his first knee surgery, I could not even go to therapy with him. That's what I do for a living!! Who can figure out the heart?!

We have bonded in many of life's situations - softball fields, Father/Daughter trips, MSU sporting events, back of the church preparing to go down the aisle at my wedding, hospital rooms, and recently in the kitchen. We look forward to more bonding but hopefully less in hospital rooms after now. Dad is back to walking, lifting weights, cooking and planting flowers. Here is dad celebrating no more knee pain only 24 hours after the surgery a few minutes after I took him home. My nephew Brodie is now ready for Grandaddy to come play, I'm sure! Keep up the good work dad! Love, Sis

Crawfish Boil

What do the numbers 45, 70, 80, and 1 have in common? The location -> our house on Sat night! 45 people to try to eat 70 pounds of crawfish with an 80% chance of rain and the one true God who provided great fellowship and a strong hand over Bham to hold the rain until we were finished. We had a great time getting to know more people in our Sunday School class at HSBC and enjoyed making new friends. We learned a lot about Crawfish: See the ANSWERS to a few of the trivia questions:

1. Crawfish are found on every continent except:
a. Australia b. AFRICA
c. South America d. Europe

2. How much crawfish does The U.S produce annually?
a. 25,000 metric tons b. 40, 000 metric tons
c. 60, 000 metric tons d. 100,000 metric tons

3. Which country is the largest importer of U.S. crawfish?
a. Afghanistan b. China
c. Iraq d. Sweden

4. Which city is known as the "Crawfish Capital of the World"?
a. Pelham, AL b. Chunky, MS
c. Waco , TX . d. Breaux, Bridge, LA

5. Chris Hendrix holds the world record for eating Crawfish. How much did he eat?
a. 92 b. 137 c. 228 d. 331

6 . How long did it take him to eat 331 crawfish?
a. 12 minutes b. 17 minutes
c. 23 minutes d. 35 minutes

Also, we learned a lot about each other! Angelina was born the farthest away in Honduras. Nan Jones has moved the most with 23 moves and Vaughn was right behind with 22. We had 3 "only children" and Sheila had the largest family as she is one of 5 children. We had a 3 way tie for the farthest travellers...and a 2 way tie for who had stayed awake the longest: Nan and Sarah tied for 72 hours (study geeks!!).

We are thankful for the friendships built and the encouragement. If we take time to talk even if it is over "Mud Bugs" we'll find out a lot about people and how we can pray for each other and support each other towards God's best as we walk this life together. He has a good plan for us all - He promises "If we seek Him we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart."

We had a blast at the inaugural Carver Crawfish Boil. Looking forward to next year!

Zoo Run

What fun Celeste and I had running through the Bham Zoo on Sat. morning. We ran a 5k race and got to see some of our extended family (oh, sorry ya'll)! It was a benefit for the orangutan conservatory. Got to keep those guys around a while! It was a great family event and we enjoyed expanding our friendship into running together. Cel and I have been through thick and thin together and have been through many friendship miles, now we can saw we have literally run some miles together. Looking forward to "pressing on" through many more miles together. I love you, Cel!

MSU Graduation

Jeff had the opportunity to hood his first graduates as a professor. We send our heartfelt congratulations to Bryan Robbins M.S. and will pursue his PhD at U. of Maryland (Jeff's alma mater). Way to go to Dr. Gursimran Singh Walia who is taking a new position at U. of North Dakota and Dr. Byron Williams who now owns his own company. Last but not least, congratulations Dr. Carver for your investment in today's leaders!

Birthday Club

This group of girls has been getting together for about 3 1/2 years now celebrating each others' birthdays. Everyone now is in their 30s and it works out to get together almost every other month or so. We either meet at someone's home or go out to dinner at the place of choice of the one who is aging up! This month we celebrated Ashley's introduction to 36! Welcome, dear friend! We enjoyed great catch up time and a wonderful conversation! We are in various stages of life and in various spheres of influence but love the Lord and love each other and enjoy encouraging and supporting each other. Meet Kerri, Cel, Kerri, Alisa, Karen and Ashley. Not pictured is Heather.



Ashley is a very special friend to us and many people. Her musical and artistic talents are amazing. She comes into a room and brightens it up with her joyful smile and radiant face. Her hugs are warm and her stories hilarious. Her commitment to Christ is unwavering and her heart to learn and share His love is deeply devoted. She is a loving wife and mother and demonstrates eagerness to serve to her family first. Many from the north would soak up her southern sweetness and be drawn to her sincerity and energy. Thanks for being you, Ash!