I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.
Ephesians 1:16

Grace’s boyfriend Caleb has been far far away in Texas.   He graduated from Air Force basic training in June and then spent the rest of the time in tech school for security forces.  Meanwhile, in Connecticut, Grace graduated from High School, spent the summer working, and began her freshman year of college, in Pennsylvania.  Despite the distance, the two of them were in constant contact using their smart phones, even going through several books of the Bible together during their own personal Wednesday Bible studies, and using FaceTime and texting to keep in touch.  But it just wasn’t the same.  They missed being together.  It had been too long.  Six months and five days, to be exact, according to Grace.

So of course, this weekend, when Caleb was finally coming home to his parent’s house, Grace was going to try her hardest to get home, too, and had an AMAZING and GENEROUS friend drive her back as a surprise for him.  He walked into his house Saturday evening and found not only a “welcome home” party with friends and family but also……coming in the side of the room last, as a surprise……Grace.  As soon as he saw her, he took her into a hug and walked a few steps out of the kitchen into the dark hallway and….. there they stayed for quite a long moment.  I wasn’t there to witness this, but I saw the video and showed it to her Dad, too.  It made him feel awkward watching it as the seconds ticked by and by.  “What are they DOING out there?”  I laughed at him.  Oh Grace.  You’re in love and it’s sweet.

The next day Rich was away at our sons’ college in VT for a wrestling clinic.  I had football games to attend for Seth and Caleb, and Seth was going to a birthday party that afternoon, too.  I was able to spend some time with Grace that morning and then again, briefly, when I came home to pick up Caleb and Sarah.

As I drove back down the road to go to the game, I pulled over to take a photo of Grace and Caleb, who were out walking in the beautiful fall day with Tessa and Myranda (Grace’s excellent friend who drove her home).

Grace and Myranda had to leave that afternoon, and Caleb plans to visit her again next week.  He’ll be based in New Jersey, which isn’t THAT far from Pennsylvania.  2.5 hours, according to Grace.

She sent me this photo later on in a text:

“If there is anything that is a miniature picture of heaven upon earth, it is a pair of
Christians happily united, whose children grow up in the fear of the Lord, and render
to them increased comfort and joy every day. Oh, how much some of us owe to the
gospel for the happiness of our homes!”    ~C.H.SPURGEON

Grace, your Dad and I pray for you (and Caleb) each time you come to mind.   You and your siblings truly bring us “increased comfort and joy every day”.  Thanks be to God.