Third Times the Charm

Hi Ya'll, it's been a wonderful whirlwind since my LB came home from the Middle East. Getting back in the groove of having a Boo, work schedules, community group multiplication and wedding preparations to name a few. This past Sunday the 19th of June, LB and I took my parents to Oxford. They wanted to meet LB's parents and get a 'lay of the land' for wedding time. Sunday was very nice. Nice weather. We had a really nice drive down with the folks. LB and my parents are great together... that makes me so very happy. We arrived in Oxford (after several stops) around 3pm EST and took a short tour of the city. We pulled into LB's parents house and walked on in. Out parents hit it off from the start. Never a dull moment with either of them! Our moms and dads had a lot in common and we basically had to stop them from talking so we could get on with the plans. I went with mom and dad to show them to their hotel and to give LB a chance to be with her parents. We got back together about an hour later and headed to Taylor, MS to the famous Taylor Grocery... good ole' Southern cookin. We had a very enjoyable meal and time together. We headed back to the Atwood ranch and my parents went to the hotel. We talked wedding stuff and made plans for the next two days. After that, LB and I took a drive over to her great friend Marcie's house. We hung out there for a while and then drove back to get some sleep for the busy day ahead. We got up bright and early and headed out to a photographers place to take a look at his stuff. We pulled up to a nice house in the middle of no where Mississippi and were welcomed by three of the biggest labs I've ever seen. The momma was 140lbs! We walked in to a room filled with deer heads and a stuffed fox on the floor... I thought to myself "can you really be good a shooting weddings and animals?" Well, his stuff was below par. It'd be safe to say he is better at shooting animals. LB and her mom dropped me off at my parents hotel and headed to Tupelo to look for a dress while we looked for a place for the rehersal dinner. We both had pretty good luck. We nailed down a great place to have the dinner and they invited us back for dinner to help us pick the dishes we'd like to have. So after a few more errands, my parents, LB and I went to dinner at the Downtown Grill. Wonderful meal and a good time of being together. I could not have dreamed up a greater set of parents and a more beautifully wonderful woman to be in the two most important rolls in my life. God is indeed a giver of good gifts. After dinner, LB and I walked around the Oxford Square. It was late, so we headed back home. We woke the next morning to see another over priced and under good photographers work. This guy was much better, but much more expensive. I think I've found my calling in life... be a wedding photographer! You only work a few days a week and you get paid out the &$$! Oh, but anyway... We all got back together for a final time and then hit the road to come home.

On The Last Leg

I'm about to leave for the airport. The wait is almost over, but not without a few delays. Her plane home was delayed about an hour due to weather... seems fitting to me. We've talked on the phone a bit... but I just won't be the same until she is finally home. Praise God for His goodness... it's almost over.

Two More Days

I got an email from Laura Beth last night. She has arrived safely in Delphi, Greece. They are doing a few things there today and then they will head to Corinth and then to Athens, which is the last leg of the trip. They'll have basically two nights in Athens (they leave to come home early Monday morning). While she was in Jerusalem, we were able to correspond quite easily, but I think the next time I hear from her may be a phone call when she arrives in Atlanta Monday afternoon. Please remember her in your prayers Sunday night and Monday during the day as she'll be in the air most of the time. God has provided safety for her and peace of mind for me throughout the trip, and I have no doubts He will continue to bless us with both.

Summary of The Last Three Weeks

I miss Laura.



This is how railroaders pass the time when they are blocked by other trains... drawing in the grime



This is a funny photograph my dad took while we were playing cards. Laura is behind me with her hair flipped over my head... I think it's funny.