A lot has been happening . . .

. . . a delicious (and beautiful) cake, for example.This was the dessert at Caroline Carmack's darling baby shower I went to in Arlington yesterday. (So fun.)

Here are Caroline's mother, Charlsa, Caroline, and her sister, Annie, who studies opera in the John Hopkins graduate school in Baltimore (and who also makes a wonderful cake)...

The house - where the shower was - is so unique, and gorgeous. Caroline's brother, Chason, and his wife Cassie basically built this house themselves. I mean, they designed it... and have done most of the interior work themselves. You have to see it to believe it...

This next picture shows you the look out back (love the big window - looking out on the tall trees).... and, of course, this picture shows some of the shower attendees. Lots of precious little girls... all ages!...

I show this next picture to let you see the beautiful ceiling...I wish I'd taken a picture of the bathroom. It had the most beautiful bowl as the sink. (We need to get HOUSE BEAUTIFUL to come and take pictures.)

Well, it looks as if I was more interested in the house than the shower honoree.
No, no .....
Here we are......Caroline will make a great mother. I'm so glad Rob married her!
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Well, that shower was yesterday....

Here's what happened early-early this morning... the skiers left for Colorado!!(back row from left: Chris, Bailey, Will, Ryan; front row: Rachael, Linh, Laura. - I think Ryan surely has a pocket, but if his hand gets cold he can at least use Laura's vest, right?)
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After they left, I went back to sleep... and then woke up at 10:30 to go to the second service at church...

At the end of that worship service, the group that is leaving for India Tuesday came to the front and shared a little bit about what they are doing...They're working with Aids' orphans and also leading a Purpose-Driven-Journey seminar for church starters in Hydrabad, India. They'll be there ten days.

Here John Gregory is saying a prayer for them...

And here's who I'm particularly praying for on the trip, wonderful Amanda...She's quite the missionary. In December she went on a mission trip to Mexico (her second or third) ... and this India trip is her second or third.


After church, we had a meeting at our house of the music, drama, and tech team from church. We were meeting with our new worship leader, Roger Burk (WONDERFUL FELLA)...

Here's Roger with his wife Michelle, and my Sam . . .

Here Roger is sharing his thoughts with the group. (Exciting thoughts, by the way.)Roger seems to be just the right person for Bear Valley. (Thank you, Lord.)
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Finally, ... on a sad note, this beautiful family (John, Elizabeth, Caroline and Andrew) was expecting another little one this summer... but this week they lost the baby. It was on the day of my twin sister's ('Grandma's') birthday (and mine)... so Elizabeth and I were saying Peggy got to hold her little grandchild in heaven on her birthday. . . .

There is definitely wonderfully comforting sweetness in that thought.