|
December 2006 November got off to a fast start with the first of our two H.I.M.-sponsored marriage conferences. Held at the Eagle Mountain Inn in Jackson, New Hampshire, on a beautiful late fall weekend, the conference was a delight in every way. Worship was lead by Danny and Rayna Oertli, who flew in from Colorado to share their talents and their hearts. Besides worship, Danny gave a concert Saturday night which was greatly enjoyed by all. As the featured speakers, we developed the “Mission Possible: Experiencing a Blockbuster Marriage” theme. We talked about the design, destruction, redemption, and delight of God's plan for marriage, weaving His message of hope throughout. Besides the main sessions, six “workshop” seminars were offered twice each. The spirit of the conference was energetic, open, affirming, and expectant—and the presence of God was palpable. Attendees' evaluations were very positive on all fronts, and everyone agreed that holding the conference the Eagle Mountain Inn hit a home run. Nestled in the White Mountains just north of Conway, the quaint homeyness of the historic inn combined with excellent food service made for a true getaway experience. Perhaps the highlight of the weekend for us personally was having Virginia's parents attend the conference. At the 58.5-year mark in their marriage, they confessed it was the first marriage conference they'd ever attended. So much for our advice to all young couples to commit to an annual marital checkup! Truth be told, Mom and Dad Collins have been very intentional about keeping their marriage alive and were a great inspiration to all at the conference. Virginia was the featured speaker for Barbara Becker's second annual Creative Memories Scrapbooking weekend on the Cape in mid-November. It's hard to call that weekend “work”, for sure, but besides giving three talks, Virginia spent a lot of time counseling and encouraging. It was a productive weekend all around. Paul filled the pulpit at the Village Baptist Church of Kennebunkport that weekend, enjoying the ongoing connection with that vital church. We celebrated with family over Thanksgiving by joining with most of Virginia's extended family at her parents’ home in Alexandria, Virginia. It was a “meet the family” moment for Gabe, Kari's fiancé, and he was definitely “voted in” by the “fam.” As Dad Collins declines due to Alzheimer's disease, these family moments are more precious than ever. Important family traditions were carried out, including the Thanksgiving feast hosted by sister Laura and her husband David, the Turkey Bowl (which divided parents against children and cousins against cousins—but in which Gabe shone as the opposing team's quarterback, making the loss our team sustained acceptable), attending church together, and having lots of laughter and endless talking. Other highlights of the weekend were celebrating sister Melissa's 50th, having a bridal shower for Kari, and bowling together. Bowling! All of us—including Virginia’s parents, who at 79 and 77 bowled like 79- and 77-year-old champions. :) As we experienced the delights of intergenerational connectedness and were reminded of the legacy we have in grandparents and parents who have strived towards honoring God in their marriages and parenting, our passion for the work we do was fueled all the more. In December, we teamed up with “Acts from the Heart” to sponsor the Saturday matinee performance of “Suddenly on Christmas Eve”, performed at Regis College. Steve and Nancy Gerber did a phenomenal job directing and producing the play. A reception for H.I.M. friends followed the performance, providing for some great community moments. Throughout the fall, we spent every Thursday night in the home of Don and Yanette Davis, hosts of the New England Patriots Couples’ Study. Now in our seventh season with the team, we have meaningful relationships with a number of the couples who have faithfully been a part of the study, and growing relationships with some of the newer couples. It is really thrilling to see some of these accomplished athletes making a difference on the team, both on and off the field. Virginia additionally has a distinct ministry with the wives. She spent one day teaching them how to make polar fleece tie blankets, and another teaching them to bake cinnamon rolls. Questions about parenting and marriage fly during these girls-only times and Titus 2:3 moments happen. Two of the couples, Benjamin and Kirsten Watson and David and Kassidy Thomas, will join the March 2007 True Love Waits team, challenging youth to make decisions for purity. Christmas 2006 closed a chapter for us a family, as it was Kari's last Christmas as a Friesen. On December 27, Kari flew off to St. Louis for the Urbana Missionary Convention, where she met up with Gabe and 27 college students from Bayside for five days of being challenged with the world mission. And so 2006 came to a close with moments of reflection and projection. In the midst of much activity and many comings and goings, at the end of the year we could all say that our hearts for the Lord are stronger than ever and our desire to serve Him is deeper than ever. He is Lord! |
|