KNOXVILLE!

Today Shari called to confirm that Mark has accepted a new job and that they will be moving to Knoxville, Tennessee! He begins the middle of next month, so they will be moving in October.

They are sad to leave North Carolina, but grateful that the Lord has provided this job for Mark - one that he hopes he will like so much better than his present job.

Knoxville is a LITTLE closer to us than Charlotte, NC, so we are happy for that. It is only a couple of hours closer, but every little bit helps!

Knoxville is just outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - a beautiful place! It is also home to the University of Tennessee. We will be anxious to visit and can maybe go through there on our way to Florida each year by taking a different route than we usually have. We are excited for them. We are praying that they will find a good church family quickly and that Mark will love his job. This is really the first time in their married lives that they can actually be together on weekends and every night because Shari will not be working - at least not outside their home. Little Esme is growing, gaining weight and doing very well!  :) I miss her!

These are pictures of Great Smoky Mountain National Park just outside of Knoxville. Looks so beautiful!

Tiger Game with Friends

Yesterday was just one of those wonderful late days of summer that makes you sad for the end of the warm weather and yet welcoming of the cool, crisp days of autumn. It started out to be a very cool day, but warmed up through the day, and it was BEAUTIFUL!  Blue sky, fluffy clouds, a nice breeze - and a ball game!  :)  

We had tickets for a day game at Comerica Park. Terry took part of the day off and we invited a couple of our very favorite people to join us at the game. Often when we invite friends to join us, the game becomes secondary while we get to talk and catch up with what is going on in each other's lives. That is always fun to do - and we really enjoyed doing that with Cyndi and Mike! They are newer friends in our lives, but have impacted us so much with their love for the Lord and their daily trust in his provision in their lives. They are an inspiration to us and many others! We dearly love them. They have NINE children - all of them just the nicest people ever!

 
The TIGERS lost the game - but, that has been the story for much of the end of the season. It is always fun to go to Comerica Park, though - it is beautiful there. In spite of the loss, it was a fun day spent with people we enjoy and love. We don't get time to do enough of that and it was a pleasure!!