MegaTrip: Memories in Louisville

Part Two in a series chronicling our first big family road trip. 

Who would have thought that the sight of a simple apartment building would bring tears to my eyes, that I would be excited just to walk into a bookstore, or that a chicken sandwich would mean so much. I was full of surprises this day, I guess. 

After two days of driving, we were finally free to feel like we were on vacation. Our conference was a day away, so we spent a day seeing many of the people and places I loved in Louisville.

After a cup of coffee, a little Acts of the Apostle,s and some Huckleberry Finn, we took a simple walk around Southern's campus with Meghan Johnson and her two daughters. Walking the halls, seeing the renovations, and raiding the bookstore. We also saw our host Raymond's new office- a symbol of his new job at the school and departure from the restaurant world. I told Emily stories of fireflies on the big hill, and Raymond told us the strange tale of the Mummy on display in Southern's library (ask us about that one.)

Before driving to lunch with some friends, I suggested to Emily that we drive by our old apartment for a quick look. We have several memories here: a bathroom crumbling from mold, a porch somehow smaller then the hammock in it, and re-purposing an office/guest room to make an office/guest room/nursery. But when we pulled up, it came over me to tell Sarah the story of bringing her home to it in the baby carrier. "Sarah, this is the spot we pulled into on your first car ride, to take you home. Actually, it was that spot right there." That was about as far as I got before the vividness of the memory took over so greatly that I broke down. I don't know if I've ever had a more clear memory of something. People who I didn't know and haven't seen since were shouting for us, Emily's mom had made a sign to welcome her home- I had forgotten how joyful we were. Emily had to ask a few times if these were happy tears, because I just couldn't stop them.

We were about halfway to Chick-Fil-A before I finally did stop. Lunch with the Johnsons and Metcalfs was a treat. It seemed like such a short time since none of us were married, and now there are 5 children between the three of us. I think the most comforting thing about this part of the trip was the ease with which we could pick our conversations right back up.

That evening I got to take Sarah down to Eagle Heights Baptist Church to see our brothers and sisters there, and the into Morton's for a quick visit. Emily and Josiah stayed back to get some rest, but I had a hunch that everyone really wanted to see the little girl who had won their hearts as a baby. Sarah hammed it up with ease.

After talking late into the night with the Johnsons again, we headed to bed and did our best to rest up for the conference. It was a conference about Adoption in the church, and we slept wondering how God would lead our family and our church when it came to the growing Christian adoption movement.

A Nice Surprise

Well, we thought the church was having a cookout after Sunday Worship.  But then Dave strolled into the kitchen after the service, and stumbled upon this:

The church was thoring a little shower for us!  So we had hot dogs and enjoyed ourselves, and then we got to dig into this beautiful cake.  Before we did so, though, Dave had to take some fun pictures of it. 

It was a great time, and we know ever better how much our church loves us.  Thank you so much, Eagle Heights!

Watching Dave Teach

It's come to our attention that very little of our family has had the chance to watch Dave do what he loves to do: teach the Bible.  So many of you have poured yourselves into this task and been a part of developing this boy into a man who loves to teach the Bible, but those taught him and those who hear him teach are two different people.  So, in a effort to help you see the fruit of your labors, we want to give you the change to see one of his lessons.  This particular one is as substitute for Sunday School at Eagle Heights Baptist Church, given July 19th of last year, on Exodus 32.  We hope you are blessed by it.

You may have to turn the volume up, as it is just recorded with a camcorder at the back of the room.  The play button on the bottom left should start it right up.  



Exodus 32, Sunday School, July 19, 2009 from Dave Cook on Vimeo.