Thursday, December 15, 2011

Rainy Day

For the past few days the weather has been dreary, drizzly and cold. However, yesterday the temp was close to 70! Seth wanted to go out but I told him it was wet...so being the smart boy that he is, he brought me his rain boots! Luckily for us it wasn't raining at the time and wasn't cold, so out we went! His outfit: rainboots, comfy pants, jacket and cowboy hat called for some photo opportunities! Here are some pictures from our front yard adventure!

















Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas Party

This past Sunday, our church held 2 singing Christmas tree performances during the normal worship times. We decided to bring Seth since he has been in love with lights since we put up our own tree. We were a little nervous about him sitting through all of it...but he did! He did a great job and went back and forth between Spencer and I and no fits were thrown! He loved clapping for the singers. That night we had our class Christmas Party where we exchanged gag gifts that we had just laying around the house. Spencer and I gave an old ceramic (ugly) lamb and a old (ugly) red bird. And we got Christmas towels and a soda coozy. Everyone brought their kids for a total of about 20 or so!! We all ate yummy food ... I made meatballs (and to my shame, used my crockpot for the first time since we've been married). The kids watched a movie while we opened gifts. And at the end Seth got in the middle of our circle and entertained us all with his drumming! (he also played the piano as people were arriving for the party!)Daddy and Seth in front of the big tree at church
he ran straight for the piano when we got to the party early



all the kids watching a movie (seth is in orange in the back)



our big group after the gift exchange



seth drumming with a popcorn tin and kitchen utensils


Saturday, December 3, 2011

MacGorman Chapel Dedication

In 2007 (my next to last semester and spencer's last as a masters student) the vision was released to build a new chapel for the growing student body at Southwestern. Over the next 4 years, old housing was torn down and an almost always empty parking lot was re-landscaped in order for the new chapel to be built. It took about 14 months for the construction of the chapel itself, with men working vigorously to meet the Dec. 1, 2011 deadline - which was scheduled to hold the dedication and Handel's Messiah performance that night. The chapel itself is named after Professor Emeritus, Dr. J.W. "Jack" MacGorman (who is probably around 90 yrs old). As a side note, you can usually spot him easily if he's on campus by the plaid driving hat he wears...he also still speaks with a heavy Scottish accent! The tower is a prayer room that over looks the campus and the surrounding community. Many of the rooms were dedicated to the people that gave money toward the construction. Some of the rooms include a Dead Sea Scroll Library, the prayer tower room, the family room, and the guest room for speakers. Along one hall there are handwritten sermon notes (orignals) from well known pastors and evangelist that Dr. Patterson graciously put on display. There is also a baptistry in the foyer that was donated by a local church so that young men can practice baptizing in the pastoral ministry classes before they go on to pastor a church of their own. The chapel is where they will now hold all graduation ceremonies, so Spencer will be getting his Doctoral Degree very soon here! The ribbon cutting was outside (media was present) in a brisk 50 degrees early in the morning and was followed by the chapel dedication service (which was a little emotional for many, including us). 2 people were saved during the service and many others confirmed calls God had on their lives! The music was beautiful and the speeches were Biblical and encouraging! Spencer and I are so proud, honored and humbled to be Southwesterners!! The MacGorman Chapel
Dr. Patterson


Chapel dedication service (we are sitting on the left)



The baptistry for future ministers to practice



another view of the chapel



another view from the balcony



Ribbon cutting, from left (Dr. & Mrs. MacGorman, Mr & Mrs Riley, Dr. Patterson)



One of the halls containing sermon notes of historical pastors/evangelists



Touring the new chapel (kind of blurry)



Dr. MacGorman closing the service with prayer



Dr. Patterson giving a brief and powerful message



view from our seats...the orchestra warming up



The program for the day



view overlooking the foyer from the 2nd floor



looking down into the practice baptistry