Lots of Updates, Prayers, and Plans

Friends:

Good afternoon! I hope the weekend is going well for everyone. Now that August is approaching, we have lots going on, so let's get to to it.

First off, let's say a big welcome to Christina Gilliam! She visited our class this morning. We were delighted to have you with us, Christina! I do hope that you will come back and see us next Sunday. I promise the jokes get better! (just ask anyone; they'll tell you)

Next, thanks to Teresa Sullivan! She brought our donuts this morning. We appreciate you doing this for us, Teresa, on top of everything else! You are a hero Mom! Next week is open. Any takers out there in blog land for donuts next week?


PRAYERS AND PRAISES

We have lots of prayers and praises today. For starters, the Ericksons now have the date of September 12-27, 2008, as the window when they will travel to China to get little Maliah. Is this exciting or what?! Please keep praying and thanking God for how everything is playing out for Vince and Mary. Pray, also, that God will prepare Maliah for the special, but challenging days that are head. You guys are heroes, Vince and Mary.

IMPORTANT DATE!!: On that note, we will have a Co-ed Baby Shower for Mary, Vince, and Maliah on Sunday, August 24th, at the VanZee home. Please plan to attend and bring a gift for little Maliah! Thank you, Brian and Jill, for hosting us at your home. We appreciate you very much! I'm thinking that this can serve as a great "back-to-school" event for our class as well. So, be sure to put August 24th on your calendars! The shower will most likely take place in the afternoon, but Jill and Mary are in charge of that. Details to come.

There are a number of people from our class traveling this week. Please pray for safe travel for:

The Goolsbys
The Nicholsons (I think they leave either later this week or early next week)
The Mays

We need to pray for little Raelynn VanZee, who continues to struggle with ear infections. Please pray that they will find an antibiotic or get some tube work done that will help Raelynn do better. The VanZees also are traveling to Missouri for a family get-together for Brian's family. Pray for their safe travel later this week and next week.

The Hudsons are having a sleepover tonight for Hannah's birthday party. Pray for Greg, Courtney, and the eight young ladies they will have with them tonight. Pray that God will be there for this special event for Hannah.

Let's continue to pray for the Coltrains. Khalil has been doing lots of work and traveling to be with Leslie and the kids. They are also still trying to find someone to buy their home. Pray that God will give Khalil and Leslie the patience they need as well as a buyer!

Vince has asked that we pray for his colleague, Brandon Davidow. Brandon is driving up north for the Big XII media day soon. Pray for safe travel for Brandon. This is his first trip to the Great Plains!

We also need to Pray for Christina Gilliam (our new guest today!). She is trying to decide what her next steps should be. Pray that things will work out for her to begin Graduate School at Baylor soon. We're praying for you, Christina!

Brian Harris and his wife visited our class today with their new little baby, Severus! Praise God for little Severus! Please ask God to continue to be with him and the Harris family.

Last but certainly not least, I'd like to say a praise for my lovely wife, Dana. She seems to have made it through her wisdom teeth extraction just fine. She had a couple rough days on Wednesday and Thursday, but, at this point, she seems to be making great progress. Pray that Dana will continue to heal quickly and completely.

I think that's all for now, folks. I hope that all of you have a great week. As you can see, life is busy, and it will only get busier in the months ahead. That reminds me. We signed up to work the Baby Bull at the Block Party, which will take place on September 10th. Don't miss it!

Dana and I look forward to seeing all of you next Sunday.

God bless,

Wes