Today was a full day of preparing for our move to Alabama. Our daughter Sheri arrived Saturday with her two youngest sons Joe and Micah. They got to go to Mt. Calvary yesterday with Nelda for my last Sunday with the wonderful people there. The congregation had a reception for us after both services and provided us with real joy in the Lord as we bid them fond farewell. At each service including the Chinese speaking congregation we were given peaceful release as their Follow-up Interim Pastor. Head Elder Bert Talbert was unable to be at church because of illness but provided a very nice written statement on our service at Mt. Calvary for the nearly six months I was with them. The people were all very gracious incuding a number of gifts that we sincerely appreciated. Rita Moreno our church secretary did an excellent job organizing our farewell reception. I will truly miss all our wonderful friends that we made in the brief time we were given to serve with them.

Then yesterday afternoon we attended a fellowship gathering of old Trinity Anaheim friends with whom we had shared our Cursillo times together. Doug and Vicki Lewis hosted at their home and we had a delightful Mexican potluck dinner. It was the last time to see some of the men who would be working a retreat next weekend when we will have our last Sunday at the church which has been our home for nearly 38 years.

Meanwhile on with the packing and getting ready. Our motorhome is back in the shop to get the transmission repaired. Sheri's husband is flying in Wednesday to help us also and drive one of our cars to Gadsden. Sheri will drive the other one. Friday the moving van will be here and meanwhile there is still a lot of stuff in the garage and driveway to dispose of. Our daughter Elizabeth who came down from Oregon last week has been a tremendous help and our son Tim will be coming up from San Diego on Friday to be be here as we prepare to leave Sunday after services. Oh yes, Trinity is also planning an open house for us at the Ken and Joy Dahlberg home in Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. It sure will be quiet once we hit the road heading east to our new home. God is good and we rejoice in all that He has provided through old friends and the new ones we will soon meet in Alabama. Praise the Lord!