May 5th a post by Carla

We were in Baltimore on Sunday, the kids slept in. I on the other hand was up with the light and sounds of the day. I waited a while before texting Shannon Bull. We'd arrived at her house the night before, Drew had plugged us into her electricity and it looked rather funny to me to follow our extension cord from several parking spots away from us to her front door.
Church didn't start till 11 am and we were only minutes away, giving Shannon and I plenty of time to visit.
Church was really wonderful, the kids and I talked about the sermon later in the day, it had ministered to us all.
Cheri Lang and her kids were at church too. The Bulls and Langs moved from Southern Oregon to Baltimore 8 and 13 years ago. It is an incredible blessing to still have these friendships. We all had lunch together and then all the kids but Tess played at the Langs house. Shannon, Tess and I were going to do girl stuff all day but ended up napping.....what a treat!

Drew, Tess and I couldn't stand it any more... we were only 2 hours from Tait at Patrick Henry College who had just proposed to Amy Kucks!
We arrived as many were finding out the two are engaged. It was fun to see the students run and hug them, or pile up on Tait.
There are no words to express the feelings it is to hold a person you love that has just become forever your own! I love Amy immensely and have poured my heart and soul into her husband to be, it feels as if all that investment that comes with great love was hers all along. I have no reservations only joy! She is one of the most beautiful people I've ever met. It is overwhelming to think of how blessed I am with my daughter in laws!!!!


We met many of Tait's friends for the first time. I recognized them, and felt like I already knew them. And although I knew Tait was close to them I was surprised by the bond that was clearly evident between them. They posses a depth of love for each other that is revealed in the way they speak about each other and an obvious unshakeable knowing in they're interactions. I thought about it today as I drove. Was it obvious to me the bond that was there because I know who he was close to or was it there apart from that? It was not from my previous knowledge, it was in their eyes and familiarity, almost like soldiers gone through a battle together. I have no doubt they will be friends for life.
I get the feeling they know me better than our meeting for the first time. I am grateful to The Lord for the gift of each of them. They all possess great riches that few in this life have. I don't think it's uncommon to have a deep friendship but I think it's very difficult to have a group of friends that go so deep, that they did that without need of a huge tragedy like a war or something is incredible to me. Tait's struggle to be in two places finally makes sense to me. I have had the desire to be with different people in different places at the same time, I'm not referring to a common struggle.
There was so much to take in, stepping into Tait's world. One thing that was a great joy was to reconnect with Kira Clark, she talked with Tess and I as old friends and we loved every minute of it. Kira and Tait had been debate rivals during high school, now Kira is dating one of Tait's closest friends.
A group of us played Apples to Apples until we were kicked out.
It was a wonderful day.