Milestones…

A Sixtieth

Campus Crusade for Christ celebrated its 60th year of ministry this summer while we were in Colorado. Sixty years ago, Bill and Vonette Bright started this “movement” at the campus of UCLA, his initial  vision to reach college students and through them the world, with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Now, more than half of a century later, the ministry has expanded and grown and spread to the furthest parts of the world.

Also this summer, the leadership of the U.S. branch of the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ announced that it would be taking on the name, “Cru.”  Much has been said about this change.

Andy and I want to assure you that though the name has changed, our work remains the same. Had the ministry changed its name because we were no longer going to be talking about Jesus Christ, no longer giving people the opportunity to accept Him as their Lord and Savior, no longer helping Christians to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ and no longer working to “build spiritual movements everywhere so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus Christ,” we would have been one of the first staff members to leave this organization. We have given our lives to Jesus, and He has continued to lead us to this ministry.

We always want to be using our skills and talents toward giving everyone on earth the opportunity to hear about Jesus, and believe we can continue to do that here.

A Second

Rebecca has gone back north to begin her second year of college. After having her with us this summer, it was really hard to watch her return to Tallahassee. I am very thankful for the time we all had in the car together — Rachel even taught Becca how to knit as we road-tripped back to Central Florida from Colorado.

A Last

Rachel has just started her last year of middle school — 8th grade! She and her friends are (finally) “big people on campus.” Because this is her last year at Trace Academy co-op school, this is also my last year as a science teacher. I am working hard to prepare each unit of lessons for the next teacher (whoever she may be) and am looking forward to what God has for me in the next chapter of life.

The Twenty-fifth

Twenty-five years ago, on August 23, 1986, Andy and I said our vows and became man and wife. We traveled from our ministry assignment in San Bernardino, California, to Unionville, Connecticut, to get married in my home church. My father and my childhood pastor officiated the service. It was a very lovely day.

Twenty-five years — looking back at the pictures is a great reminder of friendships, family, fun and God’s faithfulness. Several friends traveled from California to be with us. There are friends from childhood who are still in our lives today. There are nine family members in our wedding photos (including four grandparents) who are no longer with us.

Every wedding has its “funnies.” I wore way too much eye shadow and could have housed a family of four in the sleeves of my gown. So 1980’s. We thought we were so “grown up,” now I think we look like babies.  My step-father saw the photos of that day, immediately shaved off his mustache and hasn’t worn one since!  I have promised Andy that I would never make him wear white shoes ever again.

God has been faithful to bring us through 25 years of being married, raising girls and being staff members with Campus Crusade for Christ/Cru.  We’ve walked with Him through three homes, two states, numerous trips around the world and home again, a dozen earthquakes, four hurricanes, more than five cars, countless computers, two sets of braces, and a year and a half (all those summers added together) of living in Colorado. I am so thankful that we can stand holding hands on this anniversary and say that we love each other, love what we are doing, love our girls and look forward to another 25 years.

We mean it sincerely when we say thank you for walking (some or all) of these 25 years with us.