50-Year-Reunion

After 37 years in high school, I graduated and went to college -- Bluefield College (now Bluefield University), on staff as Assistant Director of the Academic Center for Excellence, and adjunct for one class, Academic Success Seminar, for students who are on academic probation. I love being a part of the college community. Since 1978, I ’ ve been very involved at Westminster Presbyterian Church. We celebrated 100 years recently. I truly believe the Lord is honored when we celebrate milestones and reflect on what He has done. -- like reunions! Bluefield is blessed to have a number of strong churches. For 14 years we had a home - based business, and created wooden collectibles of local churches and schools (this financed two kids ’ orthodontist visits) – and preserved local history and architecture. For the past seven years, my wife and I have been separated. Through the ministry of Celebrate Recovery, good Christian counselors, and God ’ s grace and mercy, I have experienced God ’ s forgiveness, and now embrace a new chapter of life. Recent updates – I have had the privilege to be a recipient of and in leadership with our local Celebrate Recovery. I give myself a subscription to Barter Theater every year, so that I don ’ t miss a single show. In the past nine months, I ’ ve enjoyed being a part of a co - ed Jazzercise class. I ’ m sure P.E. teacher, Coach Chmara, would smile . And I bravely joined our Bluefield University Community Choir. I haven ’ t been in a choir in 50 years. I ’ m not sure if Bonnie Hopkins and Larry George would smile with pride, or shake their heads in disbelief. Five grandkids, and one on the way, I am known as “ Pops. ”

Bluefield was a great place to raise a family. It ’ s still a great place to live – it ’ s the people who make a place special.

I ’ ll close with these powerful words by Paul David Tripp, a wonderful writer and theologian, “ You don ’ t have to understand everything in your life, because your Lord of wisdom and grace understands it all. ”

With my beautiful bride, Beverly, at the wedding of our daughter, Bethany, February, 2014. I wish I had kept count of all the weddings I have had the privilege to photograph. And no, I did not photograph my daughter ’ s wedding. I knew better.

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