Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Yoder

It was a weekend full of driving for all of us to be able to see Kevin Yoder marry Bethany Etsinger but it was well worth it. It was good to see all the nine Etsinger grandchildren together in one place celebrating life.

Their pastor tearfully charged them to remember the characteristics of a loving relationship listed in Colossians 3:12 by describing "radical" ways to recognize and develop each characteristic.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Later, at the reception, as I listened to some of the older grandchildren coach Ben, Adam and Carmen about college choices by sharing some hilarious stories, I couldn't help but think back to a time when none of the grandchildren were married.


As of August 15th, 2009, most of these grandchildren are now married. With great grandchildren, this 2001 photograph has expanded from nine to sixteen people.

Run. Run for your Life

I'm wondering if God is wanting me to start exercising after three separate messages to run in twenty four hours:

• A friend sent me a link to the Brave Hearted Gospel yesterday and suggested that the "Run" video was the most convicting to him. Watch it!
• Kent selected a set of worship songs this morning that featured "Run into the Marvelous Light"
• Mike spoke about religion being born the minute that Adam and Eve ran from God to hide.

President Obama Visits Wakarusa

President Obama visits Wakarusa - More The Indianapolis Star Galleries

View this gallery at The Indianapolis Star: President Obama visits Wakarusa

Carmen is choosing a university

We just spent the last two days visiting universities for Carmen to attend next year.

She has already done quite a bit of research and narrowed her search to 18 and then to 12 before she started visiting schools with Jackie last month.

This week we were able to eliminated two. We started with three on the list, but after driving through Indiana Wesleyan's campus, we may have added on. More research is needed.

Becca stayed at the neighbors house so that she could go to volleyball practice and enjoyed a little bit of freedom during the day while we were gone.

I asked Becca if she were ready for us to take Carmen on a trip next year and not bring her back and I got no response. I don't think any of us are ready for that next year or even prepared to think about it too hard today.

It seems like just yesterday that she was our only child scooting around in the nursery at church.