Founder's Day at Southwestern

The majority of our days, life seems normal now. Our new church doesn't seem quite so new anymore, it's as if we've known our new friends forever, we all have a schedule and for the most part, we're pretty used to it. And then there are those days that seem very surreal...the realization that we are here doing this thing. Today was one of those days. Southwestern celebrates her centennial anniversary this year and to commemorate 100 years, a Founder's Day celebration was held today. The festivities actually kicked off earlier in the day with chapel on the lawn followed by lunch. We didn't get there until a little after 5:00...just in time for the '100 year picture.' The number '100' was spelled out with people and a picture was taken from a sky jack about 80 feet in the air. It was pretty neat to have been a part of that.

As we were walking across campus after the picture, we couldn't help but become emotional...knowing how God picked us up from our comfort zone and dropped us here in this new life...to learn daily what He would have us learn...to be here surrounded by other people who have exchanged their 'normal' lives for this thing called seminary life. We have been told by some of our closest friends who are in the ministry that this is a great place to experience God. There was no way to fully understand that until we experienced it ourselves. We cannot imagine being anywhere else but here, but we know that once again, in just a few months, He will pick us up and drop us in yet another new place. Though it has been so hard at times, we know that life will never again be the way it used to be. God reminded us today that this is our new life...and we are so thankful for the ways He is stretching us and teaching us complete dependence on Him.

Back to the celebration, we walked over to the west lawn after the picture where a barbeque dinner was waiting. Hundreds of tables were set up and bounce arounds were placed throughout the area. After dinner, the big people got to visit while the kids jumped...and jumped...and jumped. We moved back to the front around 7 o'clock where a great praise and worship concert was held. This was followed by an amazing display of fireworks, right above the Memorial Building. We had such a great time with friends...laughing together, enjoying one another, watching the kids just enjoy being kids...but more importantly, it was so evident that God was glorified through the entire evening!! As the lights lit up the sky, it was a great reminder that we, too, should be lights wherever it is that God plants us. Your Word tells us, Lord, that we are to preach AS we go...AS we go to work, As we go to school, AS we go to Wal-Mart. Give us boldness to share You with the world, wherever in the world it happens to be that You have placed us.


Elizabeth in the 'zero' as the 100 year photo was taken...

Before the concert....

Before the tables were full of people...barbeque, baked beans, potato salad...and banana pudding!!

One of the jump arounds....Noah was all about the jump arounds!!!

Emma and her friends, Gabi and Katie...

Joanna with Robin and Maribeth...

Some of our closest friends....Richard & Maribeth and Josh & Robin. Love you guys!!

Emma and Elizabeth with Kelsey...

Daddies and their girls...

The fireworks begin....