35th Anniversary...

Our church...1977

Us...about the same time  :-)

Our church...present

~ January 2012 ~
Wish I had one of the whole family!

January 29th, 2012 marked the 35th Anniversary of my parents coming to the Lima area to pastor.  On January 28th, our church held a very nice dinner to celebrate the milestone, and presented them with a trip to Israel for March 2013.  I was waiting to get pictures from the photographer, but since I'm so far behind, I'll share a few that I have that others might want (Valerie :-) )...

Head table - I don't have a pic of the delicious food:
roast beef, ham, red potatoes, seasoned green beans, veggie bake,
 tossed salad, dinner rolls, specialty teas, coffee
(each dish was given a fancy name that I can't recall)

a tiered cake and cheesecake bites

 

Family time

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Andrea surprised us by coming to the
dinner...7 hours travel time...each way.  :-) 

Uncle Joe and Aunt Carol came from Circleville

This one's a keeper! Love those chubby cheeks!

Aunt Carol and loooong time family friend, Lorna

The next morning, we had a special service. Our conference president preached, and there were solos by Nathan Bailey (Shepherd Boy) and Renee' Hunsaker (Find Us Faithful), who are fourth and third-generation Lima Pilgrims. Greg, Valerie, and I sang "Faithful to the Faithful."

While Renee' sang "Find Us Faithful," the church children
filed in from Jr. Church and throughout the congregation and
brought roses to mom and dad.

The church board presented a beautiful wooden plaque.

At the end, the congregation was asked to come for
handshakes and hugs.

Special times with special children

At the end, the people of the church surrounded my parents
at the front, and Bro. Southerland prayed a special blessing
upon the ministry here at Lima.