8/8/22 

Here’s to the kindhearted people in the land of Lincoln. Midwesterners are inviting and warm, at least that was our experience in Stillman Valley,Illinois. 

We have some dear friends who just moved to the valley. He was one of our former pastors at our home church in Amarillo. Together with his amazing wife and daughter they have relocated to Illinois, where they will lead the community church. 

We were treated like royalty. We were embraced by our friends and the entire church community during our two day visit. It began with a cookout, water balloon volleyball and a pop up concert on the parking lot of the church. Folks circled up soccer mom chairs, told stories and laughed hard well past sundown and into a stunning summer evening. Stillman Valley is a beautiful place. The corn  and soy bean fields along with the stately trees and rolling hills made for a perfect night. 

I had the pleasure to sing a set of songs to these new friends and the honor to bring a song to their Sunday morning worship. 

The afternoon and evening were spent exploring the countryside. We talked and talked and we ate and ate. Very satisfying! 

It is a blessing to have these kind of friends to share our lives with. 

Northward!