To Pearl River

December 21-27, 2018

We drove to Pearl River on Friday, December 21 and were delighted that all three girls were home when we arrived. Elyse was home from Creekside Middle School, Jordan from Loyola, and Ashleigh from Tulane.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Saturday was a busy day of shopping and gift wrapping and visiting. Jeff had ridden with the Slidell Police on Friday night in addition to his role of Chaplain and having a prayer with the force before the Friday shift. So he had slept in on Saturday morning. We all gathered at their house on Saturday afternoon.

The girls were happy to be home, and I was keen on getting some pictures of them at home. There was a good bit of clowning around, as expected.

Darla makes a wonderful grilled fish dinner! On her first day out of class, and three days before Christmas - Darla had a lot to do! But she came home and made this wonderful dinner of grilled fish, cole slaw and hush puppies. The best fish dinner I have had in years!

It was such a great blessing to all have dinner together.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

On Sunday morning we went over and had breakfast with Jeff and family and then met them at Northshore Church for the 10:30am service. They have 9:00 and 10:30 services on a "work and worship" plan which I think has worked wonderfully to help build a vital church program. Elyse is working with young children one service and worshipping the other, and Jordan and Ashleigh have followed a similar pattern in the past. This morning the young children were singing in the worship service and it was thrilling to see that much vitality with this young congregation and this many beautiful children. We have gotten to know the staff of Northshore Church over the years and hold them all in very high regard. We are very proud that Jeff is a part of that staff.

This morning Jeff was the host for the service, a task which he handled very smoothly. We saw him on the stage and also on the two side screens in the sanctuary.

For the worship service they have a praise band and vocal leaders. Andrew Ogea is currently the worship leader as well as the Small Groups Pastor. Jeff handled the announcements and directed the process of the Communion service at the end of the service.

In mid-afternoon we joined the family over at Jeff Moyle's house for lunch and to watch the New Orleans Saints game. We contributed sides for the meal, but Jeff and Leslie are very generous with the use of their house and the provision of much of the meal. It was another enjoyable family gathering.