Appreciation

I haven’t written in a while. I didn’t realize how long until I logged on today. It’s been a whirlwind lately with all the hurricane stuff – as I’m sure you all know. Eric and I were able to go to Goldthwaite a day early and stay a day late last week since we had off work.

Last Sunday, the Goldthwaite community held an appreciation celebration for Eric’s dad. There were close to 300 people in attendance. They had a time where some of the staff from the church told funny stories and stories about some of the work Bill has done at their church (he’s been the Music Minister there for the past 28 years). Then some one sang, “Thank You” by Ray Boltz; I cry every time I hear it. As he was singing the song, some one else brought them money tree filled with money. After we dried our eyes, everyone lined up to tell Bill how much they loved him and how he has impacted their lives. Just when we could see the end of the line, more people came. We were there for a couple of hours talking to everyone. As I saw the line forming and the people coming forward I thought of the words from the song:

One by one they came
Far as your eyes could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices you made…

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

Most people do not get to see the impact they have made on other people’s lives until after they have passed on. I praise the Lord that Bill and Donna were able to experience people’s gratitude here on earth. What a precious blessing!

The community has really come around their family. They receive phone calls, visits, cards in the mail, monetary gifts, and some one brings food to their house every day. God has been so good to show His love and grace through this tough time.

I encourage you to think of some one that has impacted your life and give them a call or write them a note to tell them just how much they mean to you. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Great Site!

Eric and I finished our wedding book this weekend! It’ll take two weeks to come in and I can’t wait! A friend shared the best website (blurb.com) with us. We downloaded the program, put in our pictures (close to 600 of them) and uploaded it back on the site. Ta Da! Our book was complete. I’m going to start using that website for everything now. I want to make a book about how Eric and I met and put some pictures of us when we first starting dating all the way through our engagement pictures. Our kids will enjoy reading it. How perfect would that be for baby books (I'm getting ahead of myself). And it’s so much cheaper and easier than scrapbooking. The site is very affordable.

Eric and his dad also finished our wedding video. We relived our wedding all weekend through video footage and lots of pictures. It was so fun!

Here's the what the front of our book looks like:

It Makes Me Strangely Happy

I received a card in the mail at work from a precious lady. I helped organize her husband’s funeral, and she was telling me how much she appreciated it. It’s not very often when we get thank yous from people we’ve helped do funerals for. Which is fine, we work for the Lord anyway. This card was extra special though. It was addressed to Kelly Lauthlin. I was actually a little excited to have someone misspell my last name for the first time – don’t ask me why. I’m used to spelling it out for people, but no one has misspelled it yet. I knew it was coming though. Having the maiden name Parker, my last name was never misspelled; it’s so easy and common. In fact my first and last names were both that way. I guess in a way, with the last name Laughlin, I feel special, exotically different than other people. Kelly Nichole Laughlin kinda sounds like a famous person. I like it. :)

Teachers do have a Life

I mentioned earlier that Eric and I left for Goldthwaite after Eric’s volleyball games. My dad and I met him at school and my dad drove Eric’s truck home so we could leave straight from Waller in my car. We hadn’t seen each other all day, so when he came over to the car, we gave one another a big hug and a kiss (nothing intense – my dad and high school kids were around!). When Eric returned to school Tuesday, one of the volleyball girls asked Eric who he was “macking” on (don’t know if I spelled that right). He told her I was his wife and she was taken back that he was actually married. I think it’s funny that students don’t realize teachers have a life outside of school. I admit, when I was in school, I certainly didn’t think about it.

Body of Christ

Eric and I left late Friday after his volleyball games for the four hour drive to Goldthwaite to see his parents. He was exhausted, but God gave us a safe trip. Saturday morning, Eric and I helped his mom trim hedges and tidy up the yard. Two of the staff members at their church came earlier that week to cut the grass. Eric joked with his mom that it looks like some one lives there now.

Donna gave Bill a steroid on Sunday, so he was able to make it through a busy day. It really touched me to see the church’s response to the news from the doctor earlier that week. They prayed for Bill and Donna during service and several people gave them hugs and encouragement afterwards. Some gave them money to help with the extra expenses they’re having, and some one even gave Eric and I gas money since we’ll be going there every weekend. I saw streams of tears flow down their faces and the ones talking to them. It broke my heart. Later this month, the church is having a time of celebration for his 28+ years of service there.

To see how the body of Christ has come around and loved on the Laughlin’s makes me sing praises to the Lord. From the cutting grass, driving Bill to Temple for treatments, giving money, lifting them up in prayer, sending cards, making food, etc - God is so good to show His love for us through His people.

Please especially keep Donna in your prayers. She called family Monday and told them the news. She couldn’t stop crying the rest of the day; pray for comfort. Several family members are coming this weekend; pray it will be a sweet time of fellowship.

And thank you for praying for Eric and I, sending cards to his parents, and helping me make food for this coming weekend. We are blessed by so many wonderful friends. We love you all!