St. Louis goodbyes

After graduation the grandparents took the girls to Alabama so that David and I finish packing up and have plenty of friend time to say goodbye. 

Dianne, a friend of mine who I taught 1st grade sunday school with for two years AND whose sons/daughters-in-law we knew at Auburn, threw David and me a goodbye dinner. This was David's perfect way to celebrate graduation. David hates being the center of attention, so a big party would not have been for him, but we invited just a few close friends from church - The Waldrons hosted us and he Estocks, Browns, Mayfields, and Cowans came - and had a delicious dinner. We felt so loved that night! 

These are the two other couples that we seriously lived life on a daily basis with. Carrie and JonPaul and Mark and Marci - I saw these women pretty much constantly - everyday :-) Even when it rained, we'd run across the parking lots or down the sidewalk to each others houses to let our girls play and play - while we talked and talked. We women were also in an accountability group together that proved to be very beneficial and encouraging, especially as all three of us were preparing for transition. The men were also in an accountability group together, had lots of classes together and all graduated this year - they also had lots of fun spending time together. We went to a fun burger and shake place that is owned by all of our favorites - the chocolate bar. It was a fun way to celebrate our friendships!

A couple weeks earlier we had a special dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a fun view of downtown with the other Kern Scholars and their wives. These men were in a covenant group together for a couple years. They got to see the best and worst of each other during a highly stressful time in each of their lives. They journeyed together throughout seminary and it was a fun night to talk and see where the Lord has brought them all through their three years. David is thrilled that one of the men got a job also in Augusta - so they can continue meeting together and spurring each other on. These folks are spreading out to Seattle, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, California and Nebraska!

After these dinners David and I were just so grateful for the amazing people that God put in our lives during seminary. What a blessing and a treat it was to spend these years with them.