End of Grace

Grace is a gift from God. Grace Baptist Church was a gift to me. When I left my former church and began the search for a new one, it wasn't until I landed there that I felt at home. After a year and a half of attendance, I finally made the decision to transfer my membership to Grace Baptist. Seven months later, Grace Baptist Church ends. We all feel lost, at sea, unsure of the future, and I guess even a bit angry. But there just weren't enough people in regular attendance to support the ministry and pay a full-time pastor. In one way, I feel that we've let our pastor down, but in another way I know that God doesn't close one door without opening another. After chatting with the pastor this evening, it appears a door is opening for him and if it all works out, I'll be following him and his wife to his new church. (A little bit further to drive, but well worth it.)

Anyway, tonight was our annual corn roast at the M's, who always host it. They have a huge piece of property complete with orchard and a humungous vegetable and flower garden. Although we all had our usual good time, this time no one seemed in a hurry to leave. Things got cleaned up and the party ended up on the driveway. Someone's car alarm went off just as Cathy and I were leaving and the owner was still scurrying around trying to get it turned off as we drove away. It was a fun night and tomorrow morning I'm sure there will be many tears as we all say good-bye to Grace Baptist Church as it was. It will be interesting to see who goes where come the start of the fall season.

I just thought I'd share a few photos from the evening's frivolities. Christians can be a crazy bunch and all of us ate too much, talked too much, and cracked too many jokes. Anything to keep from going home. Anyway, enjoy the photos.








This is the gate into the vegetable and flower garden.

A giant dahlia. I got a pretty good macro of it, too, but will post that over on my Photologue blog.

Just a few of many rows of tomatoes. Look at the size of them thar things!























The back of the property overlooks a little river where you can often see ducks and other water birds.

On one side of the garden you'll find grapes growing. These are magnificent green grapes, almost ready to pick.

Before we ate, the kids were having lots of fun. These two are playing badminton.

These ones are having fun on the trampoline.

(l to r) Ken, Garry, Jeff (pastor)

Jeff was busy taking lots of pictures, especially of us with our mouths grinding away on corn on the cob. I'm sure he got one or two of me! Jeff loves to catch people in candid shots.













The three musketeers tending the fire. (l to r) Dave, Dave, and Paul.

(Notice the woman at the kitchen sink behing them!)














(l to r) Cathy, Brenda, Louise, Louella














Ingrid and Ruth (pastor's wife)

It was Ingrid's birthday today, so there was a chocolate birthday cake just for her! She was so surprised and thrilled, to say the least.












And the band played on. Great music and lots of fun.

(l to r)
Kooch, Murray, Daniel, Rob, Jeff

We really didn't want to leave, so a bunch of sat around the campfire for a while until we really did think it was time to go. So we ended up on the driveway saying more good-byes and see-you-in-the-mornings.