Greetings from Memphis

Today we went to Elvis Presley Blvd and I went souvenir shopping. We had our picture taken in front of those famous music gates at Graceland. We had a fun time. Dale and Gayle’s children left to visit friends in Indiana today. They will be gone for the next four days so Dale and Gayle will be empty nesters for the next few days as we will be leaving in the morning for home. We ask that you pray travel mercy for all of us.

Luke 2:40 says, “the little child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s goodness was upon Him.” As parents of a growing family one of the realities is that our children will grow and leave our nest. Geni is half-way through her college studies and Travis is a senior in high school. We have watched them grow since they were born. We have taught them many things. The most important lessons we have hopefully taught them are the lessons of distinguishing right from wrong, making good choices, being responsible citizens and most important keeping God first in their lives and treating others with kindness and acceptance.

With Bruce and I being 5’ 7” and 5’ 2” respectively that whole stature thing may not work out.(Lol) As we prepare for them to spread their wings and fly and live their own lives we pray that these lessons have been taught well enough that they will be successful, caring, responsible, happy people who have a heart for God and for His people. We knew that our children would not always live with us, as much as we love them and love being with them we know we must let them go so they may spread their wings and fly.

God came to earth as a person and lived with us for a while. Jesus experienced all of the emotions sadness to gladness, despair to joy and success and disappointment. God experienced all of these things through the life of Jesus. God knew what life on earth was like because of the life of Jesus. God did not stay a safe distance from us. God was no longer an observer of the lives of the people He loved, He became flesh and dwelt among us. God became one of us so He could not only live among us as one of us, but to be the model of the Godly life to us. Jesus paid the greatest price of all to be with us. He came to earth and grew up with a family in a community. He went to temple, went to Hebrew school and learned the Holy Scriptures. As Jesus grew, God blessed Him with His wisdom and His goodness.

What are we teaching our children? Our time to teach our children is limited. Have we taught them the Holy Scriptures, the creeds, the Lord’s Prayer and the practices of regular worship? Have we modeled the Godly life for our children? We must seek out God as we journey through the years we have and ask for guidance as we lead our children to follow Christ in their own lives after they no longer live with us. These are the things God calls us to do as parents.

What a journey we are on friends! Take joy in the journey (even when it is hard).

Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.