Career Day, New Building, & a Funeral

To say it's been an busy week is an understatement... but, the Lord has graciously provided... He is our faithful provider. Here is a compilation of images from getting our new gathering place ready for Imago Dei Church... to my afternoon with K-2 graders for Career Day on Wheels... to our quick trip to Kentucky for Tony's grandmother's funeral...

(ABOVE: Ellen, Lauren and I attempting to assemble items for the building; BELOW: Joshua and friends are Career Day on Wheels)

Victoria enjoying the Raleigh police officer's presentation...

Thursday after school we hit the road for Kentucky...

During the 7 hour drive I snapped a few scenic shots through instagram...

Despite sad circumstances, it was a blessing to be with family... many of whom we hadn't seen in years or had never met before...

One of Tony's great-aunts showing my girls her family picture...

Tony's grandmother Eunice was the third one from the left...

Her sisters sang some of her favorites...

Tony gave the message... I sang "It is Well" and was grateful God sustained me through it so as not to become a blubbering mess... My all-time favorite hymn...

The kids each received a flower from the graveside...

They love their cousins!

So wonderful to see family from Michigan!

Every time we see Noah, he seems to have grown another inch!

Crazy uncles... a little bit of rock-n-roll and a little bit of country, as Ryan said.

Sisters...

Motor City cousins

A little R&R afterwards...

Of course, it wouldn't be a Merida gathering without chips and salsa!

Some more scenic shots from our return trip...

Coolest picture ever below... this was on my cell phone camera with some highlighting from instagram!

We made it back to Raleigh by 4PM Saturday... then this little guy needed some one on one time, ha ha...

Final preparations at IDC's new building on Saturday night...

An amazing group of diligent servant-workers coupled with the grace of God made incredible transformation possible before Sunday's first service in the building.

Hope you have a blessed week!