family, storms and sermons

 We had the sweetest of weekends with Uncle Martin and Aunt Sharon...fun food and play time, pool and good good conversation, Lily's first cross country meet (SO fun!), and got to introduce them to our church family today. With the incoming hurricane, they broke our hearts by cutting out early and leaving after church, but I am SO thankful they came that I'm trying to stick with counting my blessings. They love us well and patient and I'm so grateful for family.

Uncle Martin cut the yard and moved lawn chairs to safer places yesterday. I moved all my plants inside, but having no hatches to batten, I guess we're as ready as we're going to be.  All schools and most businesses have closed for at least tomorrow, and our hearts are on our neighbors in Louisiana.  Mr. Henry and Ms. LadyJane shared lots of good hurricane stories, memories and advice tonight at family dinner, and what we have established is that even if we go a few days without power, Lady Jane has a gas stove and a percolator for coffee....and I can do an awful lot on that. Mama had power-free coffee ALL covered in Haiti, but I guess I shoulda brought that box.

Matt officiated Patrick and Leanne's wedding in PA Saturday morning, and we all hated missing it!!  SO glad he could be there and can't wait to see pictures. So grateful for the Buckners in our lives!

Now, he's on to Lexington, and tomorrow he starts a week long preaching series at Asbury University as the speaker for Holiness Emphasis Week.  This annual kick-off-revival week at Asbury was incredibly influential on our walks with Jesus and we're both just excited and passionate about the opportunity for Matt to teach and share His Word at our alma mater...it's the most precious thing we have, Jesus, and our favorite thing to give, especially at a place and in a season that grew us into Him so much!  

Thank you for all your prayers!