Hugs from PA

A friend of the family from Newtown, PA has been speaking, teaching and sharing her story with the Bethel community.  She has been staying with my parents this week.  Although our schedules were opposite, I was able to sneak in 15 minutes of hellos with her today and in return she stood on the couch and gave me a bone crushing hug from Dave Secrest and a gentle hug from Karen Secrest.  Sylane also gave me hugs of her own.  I still miss Newtown and our church family on a regular basis and those hugs were a blessing to me and a reminder of a church body who has loved and supported our family for many years.  All of the 'adopted' aunts and uncles and cousins - surrogates for our family who lived far away most of my growing up years - all of these people influenced my life in big ways.  What a blessing they still are in our lives!  Thanks for the hugs, Sylane.