Bible Study Reunion

In the fall of 1999 Chris and I started attending a Nearly/Newly Wed Sunday School Class. We look back on that class with the fondest of memories. We gained so much great marriage advice from the teachers, learned and laughed from the stories our classmates tolds, and met life-long friends in the class.

One of the girls in the class, Jenny, invited me to join Nancy's Tuesday Night Bible Study. Nancy had been leading the group for several years when I joined. A few months later I invited Marlene to the Bible study. Nancy moved to Texas in the fall of 2005. Even though we stopped meeting on a regular basis after Nancy moved, those of still in Virginia continue to see each other as often as possible. We all continue to be close friends.

On Thursday, Marlene, Michele, and I flew to Texas. (Jenny had taken an earlier flight. Unfortunately Sally couldn't join us this weekend.) Here is a quick video of our group. I accidently left the camera in video mode when I asked a stranger to take a picture of us.



Thursday night we went to La Hacienda Ranch. Marlene had to try out the saddle bar stools.
Nancy and Michele posed under a fake dear.
Since the owner of the restaurant invented the first frozen margarita machine, we had to sample some. Isn't this way you are supposed to stir up a lime margarita and sangria?

We enjoyed a delicious Tex-Mex dinner with Table Side Guacamole - yum!!! As I sat at dinner that night I felt so completely happy. We had not all been together since last May and I was just so happy to spend time with them. We share a history and a very deep bond. We don't have to explain where we are coming from and there is a lot of grace and love between us.

On Saturday we had fancy smancy pedicures and manicures. Nancy picked a great place.

Michele found this cute hat at a boutique and had to buy it since it looked like it was made for her. We also went shopping at a consignment store and we all bought something. I found two pairs of pants, a pair of Joes Jeans, a skirt, three pairs of earrings, and a necklace for $115. The jeans were $40 which is a great deal! I think they are brand new and I love Joes Jeans!

We saw this interesting sign at another store.

Friday night we went out for a girls night with other friends in the Dallas area. I got to meet Christie. She is just as wonderful in person as she is on her blog. It was fun to learn more about her. Marlene blamed the water for her gorgeous Texas-sized hair all weekend. Here she is with Nancy's SIL, Allison, who was also in the Nearly/Newly class with us for a while. I missed getting a picture of Nancy's sister Margret and Marlene's SIL Jenny.

Michele, Me, Nancy, Jenny, and Marlene.

We were able to celebrate with Rebekah who is another member of our group who moved to Texas. She is expecting a baby in July. Unfortunately for us she went on a retreat this weekend and we only got to see her for one night.

Alisha drove from Galveston early on Saturday morning and it was so wonderful to get to hang out with her. We went shopping again and had more Tex-Mex. We all love it! After church that night we had more Mexican food for dinner at Nancy's house. Michele makes great enchiladas!

After dinner, we saw the Sons of Lwala documentary (wow, you should all watch it) and then we shared Bible verses and prayer requests and laughter and tears.

On Thursday we briefly saw Mark and Ainsley before they left for his brother's house. Friday was Mark's birthday and he was kind enough to let us have Nancy (and his house) all to ourselves this weekend! Thanks Mark!

We did see them again Sunday morning before they took Jenny to the airport and then we had lunch with them and Marlene's BIL, SIL, and niece.

All too soon, we were back at the airport saying a tearful goodbye to Nancy. We will see her again in June here in Virginia and we already talking about another weekend together next year.

When I got home I told Chris, "Thank you so much for letting me go. I loved it and it meant so very much to me."