Congratulations to Chris and Stephanie Dilley on the birth of their daughter, Emma. Here’s an update from the family!

Greetings! We just wanted to let everyone know that Emma Lynne Dilley finally decided to make her grand entrance into this world on Friday, November 16, at 11:47 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs, 2 ounces and was 20
inches long. Stephanie and Emma are doing great, and I am a proud husband and daddy. Please continue to pray for Stephanie as she recovers from a difficult labor and as she and Emma adjust to life outside the womb. We have attached some pictures for you to enjoy. If you would like to visit us, please call me first at (502) 407-2747.

In Christ, Chris and Stephanie

For some time now we have hoped to find an excuse to have both Dr. Wellum and his wife, Karen, share with the class of their background as a couple. Wait no longer.

This week is our fifth is a series by the title, “Timely Topics for Young Families.” This weeks title is, “Your Family and The Local Church: The Wellum’s story of ministry at a church in South Dakota.” Dr. and Mrs. Wellum will share personal stories from their life together and specifically from their years in South Dakota where Dr. Wellum served as a pastor. Through this time of exposure to their story, it is their hope for each family represented in our class to love and to treasure the local church, with all of its warts and its wonders.

Here are five questions that will frame their time with us,

1) First, tell us the story of your marriage leading up to your time in South Dakota.

2) What is the story of your call to the church in South Dakota?

3) What are some highlights of your time together with this church?

4) What were the circumstances surrounding your departure from the pastorate?

5) How have your years in South Dakota given shape to the rest of your life?

Looking forward, with you, to our time together,

Trent

This Saturday, September 29th at 9:45am, we will gather on the church grounds to cheer on our Upward Soccer team, the Jaguars. Our very own Ryan Bishop and Dan Born coach these little machines and are responsible for their outstanding talent and skill.

Emily Williams and Amy Ostrander are preparing a banner for our team. In addition to this work of team-motivating brilliance, we will be supplying bottles of Gatorade and, it is our hope, Chick-fil-a coupons for the children and their families.

If you are planning to join us, please email Emily Williams at butterfly52204@yahoo.com. We will be gathering at the field with orange goals, closest to the main entrance into the church.

Another school year has begun, and for the Wellum’s Couples class, it kicked off with a bang. “Monkeybar Golf” and “Four on the Couch” were a hit; so was the abundance of food. True to form, the class had a great time of fellowship with new faces mingling in with those who have been around a while. Take a moment to enjoy the pictures! (If you have any of your own to submit, email them to travisabraham@gmail.com.)

Today, on the Giddens’ family blog, you will notice a little Baby widget that reads, “26 days to go.” Well, as many of you know, Nathan set his own date. Nathan was born to Tory and Kedra this past Friday weighing in at 7lb and 14oz and 20.5 in tall - or long - whatever a baby is.
Enjoy these Christ exalting words from a recent post at their blog,

When Kedra was 28 weeks pregnant with Nathan, we sat together in the living room admittedly afraid of the implications of his premature arrival. We read through Isaiah 40 and asked the Lord to sustain this pregnancy until Nathan was healthy enough to survive outside of the womb without having to spend a single night in NICU. Seven weeks later, we welcomed into the world a 7 lb 14 oz blessing. We are in debt to those of you who have prayed with us, and are happy to share this incredible blessing with you.

More so, we are reminded through Nathan’s birth of the one whose blood and righteousness recreates the heart. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (1 Cor 5:17). Indeed, the birth of a baby screams the mercy of God to the sinner. Thanks again for your prayers.

Click on the photo above for a slide show of the events of the last few days.

It is our hope for this class site to provide a window into the great work that God is accomplishing in the lives of so many families. Some of God’s great works are through trials and others through blessings. As we consider the joys and the pains of each other’s lives, we will have the opportunity to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Here’s an encouraging update from Carey Willem on the recent blessing of baby Jack, born on June 9th,

Jack is great. He really is a good baby. Basically he wakes up to eat and have his diaper changed. He pretty much sleeps the rest of the time. Karis loves being a big sister. She always wants to know what he’s doing and is trying to hold him. The adjustment to becoming a family of 4 hasn’t been that difficult yet. When Danny’s not here to help me I might change my story. I don’t think we can say enough how much we appreciate everyone bringing us meals last week. It was so nice not to have to think about what we were going to eat. In a few more weeks we should be back around.

Stop by the Willem’s blog to learn more about Jack.

Every so often, one of the couples from our class shares their testimony. This week, Ryan and Emily Perz shared the story of where they’re from, how they met, a bit about their family, and their passion for doing the work of their Father. It was encouraging to hear them tell about the foundations upon which they built their marriage, and great for us to see them living out their calling with their son Elijah.