Babies!

One of the blessings of loving, feeding and ministering to college students for many years is the babies that come a few years later. I love getting the Christmas cards with the family pictures, or  a personal visit with children in tow. I'm happy to claim these college grad grandchildren!

Jessica Mills Vandergriff and new baby Spencer

Hailey Stovall Burns and her sweet boys.
She poured into my family for many years. Love her so much!

This year has been a banner year for babies, with 3 being born in the month of February.  Two of the three live in Rome.  I've been thrilled to visit all of them soon after they came home from the hospital.  What a joy to see these former students raising Godly families of their own. Newborns, toddlers and preschoolers certainly have their challenges but I like to remind them that these are some of the sweetest days!

Drew Landis and baby Lydia

Carrie made a blanket for Tracy Batchelor's new baby Bert

Matt, Heather and baby Mills. The Medley family!
Heather used to babysit for Kate.

This next baby is my favorite story, but not a Berry grad! Melinda went to Calvary with us, and is a precious lady. She had trouble getting pregnant and sought the help of fertility specialist. She would sometimes conceive, but then have a miscarriage.  She and her husband, Gary, were planning a trip to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.  Melinda had recently turned 40.  They were resigned to being childless.  Gary's father passed away.  Gary's mother lived with them for awhile after his father died. Melinda and Gary changed churches. Melinda got pregnant!!! No fertility doctors needed, just God's perfect timing!

Melinda and baby Wyatt

We love seeing the former students, even if they aren't married! They are all special. Autumn recently returned to campus for a recital that I played with one of her former students. It comes full circle very quickly!

Birthday twins. Carrie and Autumn Ginn. 

Heather and Chris were both music majors who worshiped with us at Calvary. They paid us a visit in October.

Love this couple! 

The adorable Bragg kids!

Michael and Dana Van Sant were a huge part of our life for many years.  Michael was youth minister, and Dana was a significant influence for my girls.  They came to visit during Thanksgiving week.  They moved to Florida when Sadie was a year old.  We miss them!

Carrie and Sadie hiding under the slide

Kate and Josie.

We love to see the families, but sometimes they don't bring the kids. Abby and Joe spent many Sunday lunches at our house, and if you know their story they fell in love on our couch.

Carrie and Kate have many memories of playing with Joe and Abby.

I always mention that one of the blessings of having college kids at the table is their Godly words of encouragement.  My young kids soaked in the fun they had the college students that we hosted, but more importantly they learned about loving God and His sovereignty as they saw them trust Him in everything.  

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24