Class, enjoy this update from the Marshman family a few weeks following the birth of Henry! And don’t forget to visit their family site for updates.

Hey everyone! We have had Henry home now for three weeks and it has been a bit of a whirlwind! The adjustment from one child to two has been interesting to say the least. We take it one day at a time and sleep when we can. All in all, we are so thankful that the Lord has given us a healthy daughter and now a healthy son, it is such a blessing! Henry was born Friday the 13th and was just shy of 9 lb. He came out hungry and has been a champion eater since. If you wanted to catch a glimpse of him you could go down to the nursery at church and look for the baby with the head full of black hair. We are still trying to figure out where it came from. Although Rachel and I mostly look forward to sleeping again, we also are excited to build into Georgia and Henry godly character and a deep love for the Lord. This is all a huge adventure for us! The Marshmans

Marriage is a sanctifying institution designed by God to make us happy … by making us holy.

On Saturday, June 14, we are hosting a Girl’s Night Out, wedding style. We will share wedding pictures, play some fun games (there will be prizes), and, of course, have some wedding cake! We will also be reminded of the sacredness of marriage and how blessed we are to have been given the gift of our husbands. Your friends and neighbors are welcome.

As part of this evening, we will also be welcoming Mrs. Wellum to our class. Mrs. Wellum has been serving faithfully as a children’s Sunday School teacher, but now she will be joining us on Sundays, and we are so excited to have her. We hope you can all join us!

Where: Kelli Bishop’s house
When: Saturday, June 14 (this is a new date) from 7-9pm

Contact Kristi Hunter, Kedra Giddens, Jeni Land or Julie Rue with questions or to help with food or decorations.

An unreasonable time of hanging out, BBQing and and talking with one another is in order. The following details are critical for your required participation.

The Date: Monday, May 26, 2008
The Time: 5-10 p.m.
The Place: Dr. & Mrs. Wellum’s home
7907 Machupe Ct.
Lousville, KY 40241
The What: Cooking out and chilling out
The How: Dr. Wellum’s new under-the-hood grill
The Who: Anyone can come. Contact Rebecca Mathis or Kedra Giddens to find out what to bring…or what you said you would bring!

For background on the inspiration for the title of this post, visit this wikipedia entry on the Florence Y’all Watertower.

Congratulations to the following outstanding graduates:

Dan Born
Russ Freeman
Reagan Marsh
Adam Panisiak
Robert Patterson
Wendy Schrock

More importantly, let’s offer praise to God in Christ, who has given us a capacity to search out his greatness in the various educational endeavors we enjoy.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. ~Romans 11:33-36

Class,

The Freeman’s are home and enjoying their beautiful daughter, Kendra Grace. Enjoy these photos and an update from the family,

We are so proud to announce the birth of our new daughter, Kendra Grace, born Thursday, April 24th at Norton Suburban Hospital. Measuring in at 8 lbs. 1 oz., and 21 inches long, Kendra Grace made her grand entrance to the world at 3:44 pm. She was exactly one week late and came via c-section after a failed induction attempt. Mom and baby are both healthy and doing fine! We are so thankful for this blessing from the Lord!
~Russ & Katie

Class, let’s join Kevin and Rachel Yates in celebrating the birth of their beautiful daughter, Averi Noel. Below is an update from the family;

After a week of dizzy spells, a hospital visit and finally passing out the doctors decided it was time to induce… eighteen hours, and lots of sweat and tears and finally a blessed epidural Averi Noel arrived! Our healthy little girl was born at seven pounds two ounces, April 21st at 8:47 pm. She is healthy and strong and we feel truly blessed to have her as our daughter. Please join us in thanking God for the blessing of new life and for the opportunity to be parents! ~Kevin & Rachel

Abby Basore and Aaron Wilson got hitched this past Saturday evening. After months of planning and much blood, sweat and tears, their big day finally came. The ceremony was held at Melbourne Heights Baptist church on Taylorsville Blvd. Aaron looked like a stud in his rented tux and Abby was gorgeous in her dress on their big day. Blake Ring was the pastor that presided over the ceremony, and he did a wonderful job. Following the ceremony, the reception was held at the Nunnlea House on Hurstbourne Rd. Here we had some supper, drank some punch, had some cake, and danced a little (but do not tell anyone).

In all seriousness, the whole event was very beautiful. A few hundred people got to witness the joining of these two lives at a very elegant ceremony. A ceremony that perfectly illustrates and paints us a live picture of the joining of Jesus and the church.

I wish all of the best for Abby and Aaron as they finish up their honeymoon in Boston. We should all pray for them as they start this life together. They have been visiting Dr. Wellum’s class for several weeks. Please welcome them into the class.

~Kevin Yates

Class,

Let’s join the Perz family in welcoming Leah Mackenzie into the world! Enjoy these photos and an update from Ryan on behalf of the family.

We joyfully welcomed our second child Leah Mackenzie Perz into this world on Monday February 18th 2008. We are humbled and thankful to the Lord for entrusting us with this stewardship of raising children for his glory. We also give God all the glory, for we know that our ability to parent comes only through the redemption that is in Christ and his Spirit indwelling us.

Elijah loves his little sister and has blown me away with how gentle, loving and concerned he is about her so far.

Emily exemplifies the Proverbs 31 woman and blows me away with how well she makes the adjustments and cares for our children.

Praising the Triune God from whom all blessings flow,

Ryan Perz

On February 5, 2008, an EF-4 tornado hit Union University in Jackson, TN, damaging 80% of the dorms and many other buildings. Our ABF has at least 3 members who were former students of Union. Some of us personally know people who were saved from the rubble. $40 million is the current cost associated with the recovery.

Heroes abound as Union rebuilds. I have been told that due to requirements from the insurance company, students were not allowed to go back inside the dorms to salvage belongings. Instead, their very professors and administrators carefully filled bags and suitcases in their place. Truly, this is what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. The other testament to the leadership’s dedication is that the school has made housing accommodations for all 1,200 students to continue the Spring Semester, beginning February 20th!

The Union University website has a plethora of information about the Disaster Relief Fund, stories from the recovery, and some amazing footage taken by students. Southern Seminary is raising $35-50K to replace much of the Christian Studies library. Check out the Seminary News service to make a donation.

Please continue to pray as these dedicated students and faculty deal with the traumatizing effects of the storm and as they gather on move-in day, February 19th. Praise God for His miraculous mercy, sparing all of their lives! Praise Him as onlookers see true Christian service in action.

Want to know more about the exciting new Women’s Events and Classes?

Check out the NAOBC Women’s Ministry weblink to learn more. This year’s Women’s Retreat (April 18-19) and Tea & Fashion Show (August 23) have already been announced!

In addition, Ninth and O’s 2008 Academy women’s classes begin on Wednesday, starting with Workshops for Women! Every Wednesday at 6:45pm a fantastic facilitator will teach a different workshop. There’s no cost involved and you can sign up in the church lobbies.

The six Workshops for Women include:

2-13-08: Developing a Personal Quiet Time
2-20-08: Creating a Budget for Your Home
2-27-08: Cooking on a Budget
3-05-08: Decorating Your Home on a Budget
3-12-08: Hospitality and Etiquette Part I
3-19-08: Hospitality and Etiquette Part II

If you’re looking for a way to serve, please speak with me on Sunday and share some of your interests. There are many opportunities - big and small!

~Jennifer Patterson