Theology of the Family conference

Our annual trip to Asheville, NC took place in May instead of October this time, and spring was another beautiful time of year to visit Ridgecrest Conference Center:

Our lodgings looked out on the rolling hills near Black Mountain:

Since Mom stayed behind at home with Granny, we tried to send her plenty of pictures so she would feel somewhat included in our days:

Mom always loves catching up with various friends who also are attending this conference, so that was a part she was sad to miss. We ran into many familiar faces and met several new ones, too.

These 2 Jonathans caught up on each other's lives:

We heard tales of these young ladies' exciting travels and business ventures:

Our first evening's session was delivered by Paul Washer, who spoke about Fallen Families...a very sobering but encouraging message to start off the weekend:

Meanwhile, Mom back at home picked our quickly-ripening strawberries for me:

During lunch in the dining hall, we chatted with a sibling group from MI and got to know them better:

Free time one afternoon allowed for several of us to drive off-campus to enjoy a short hike together:

Catawba Falls had an upper and lower falls, and we spent some time exploring and relaxing:

My friend Hannah and I, who is also participating in the Spring100 challenge, added some miles to our totals.

As the conference came to a close, we said goodbye to various friends old and new:

2 brothers took a break from their Army duties to spend the weekend with their family:

We made dinner plans with friends from TN and found a local recommended BBQ restaurant.

It was an enjoyable time sharing conversation and a meal together.

When we returned to the conference center, the rest of the night was spent in fellowship with different groups of people who had gathered for an evening of music and talking.

These young men joined in piano and voice for a new version of "Only Trust Him", which was a fitting closing for the event:

We arrived back home to Virginia and regaled Mom and Granny with stories of our time away.

What is our hope in life and death?
Christ alone, Christ alone
What is our only confidence?
That our souls to him belong
Who holds our days within his hand?
What comes, apart from his command?
And what will keep us to the end?
The love of Christ, in which we stand.

~Hannah

Comments

[Barbara J.]

Hannah, I'm sorry your mom didn't get to attend the conference but I'm sure she enjoyed all the beautiful pictures.

[George Appiah]

Reading wonderful stories of faith and family like this gives me goosebumps. Thanks for sharing.

From Accra, Ghana.

[victoria]

Looks like another good conference. Glad you were able to go, but sorry your mom had to miss. I know how much she always looks forward to that conference. It was sweet of you to keep her supplied with lots of good pictures. :)

[Tammy C]

Looks like you had a nice time.

Walking challenges are my thing to do. April I did 300,000 steps for Juvenile Diabetes. That was lots of walking around my neighborhood. May I did 50 mile challenge for the town of Wake Forest. I was caught in the pouring rain one time which was not good at all. June is half of April due to getting very hot .Walking for Crohn's and for a friend who was in a motorcycle accident. Tracy lost part of his right leg and Chris and I are donating to his fundraiser to help with medical expenses.

Hello to Granny and Deb.

Tammy

[Hannah]

Barbara, thanks so much for the comment. She did enjoy our keeping her up-to-date. :)

Thank you for reading, George. I'm glad the post was an encouragement to you. "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God." 2 Corinthians 3:5

Thanks, Victoria. :) We did enjoy the conference and missed your family there!

Wow, Tammy, that is quite the challenge with all you are participating in supporting. Great! Granny and Mom thank you for your greetings.