by Steve Hale
( Hebrews 13:1, NKJV)
Last night (Jan. 8th), Cindy and I were surprised with a farewell dinner at the Spaghetti Factory with about 22 or so wonderful brothers and sisters among the young married couples. It was a time of some uproarious laughter, reflection, hugs, tears, and well wishes.
Several have promised to vacation in the beautiful Ozarks so they could come and see us. We look forward to such reunions. It reminds me of the simple exhortation from the Hebrew writer: "Let brotherly love continue." Even though our day-to-day contact is about to change, we are, and always will be, brethren.
It is important to us to leave here without severing that love. We've been through too much together for that to happen.
From the freezing cold hotel rooms in the Ukraine, to the sweltering heat of summer camp, to those late Sunday afternoons with Lads-to-Leaders, to Cindy's precious children at Tues.-Thurs. School, to the hospitality of many of your homes, and even moving to Missouri, "let brotherly love continue!"
The elders have already, very graciously, asked me to come back for a gospel meeting in a few years. We'll be back from time-to-time, as we pass right through Mt. Juliet to my sister's home in Livingston. We look forward to those reunions as well.
Please give our elders a special measure of your love and encouragement in this transition. Especially encourage John and Angel Thomas. "Grace be with you all."