We just returned from Nashville where Bethany celebrated graduating from Trevecca Nazarene University. We drove back by way of Oldsmar, Florida—an 850-mile trek—so we could see Anne Marie’s parents on the way as they could not travel to Nashville.

A week ago, Anne Marie and I drove north. Over the next four days, Bethany showed us “her” city. My dad joined us, and we attended a Country Classics show at the historic Ryman Auditorium. As a life-long country music fan, it was dad’s first trip to the city. He also visited a museum celebrating music. Late Friday night, Michael flew in from Wisconsin.

On Saturday morning, we watched as Bethany, and about 750 other graduates, were honored. (You can see the five of us on campus in the photo below.) That afternoon, we took my dad and Michael to the airport for their return flights.

Sunday, we went to church with Bethany, then the three of us headed south toward Florida. Bethany joined us as one of her good friends gets married here on Saturday and she is maid of honor. After almost 12 hours, we stopped, well into Florida.

Monday, we went on to see Anne Marie’s parents. (The five of us are in the photo below, thanks to Bethany’s selfie skills.) Anne Marie’s dad’s recovery from his surgery in February is going well. Thanks for praying for him and for our Nashville trip.

We’ve passed a significant parenting milestone as both “children” are employed college graduates.

Now, we’ll focus on our May 17-31 trip to Italy. As you think of us over the next few weeks, please pray:

• For good health as we prepare to travel. Anne Marie is fighting a cold right now, and my eye is recovering from a minor procedure I had just before the Nashville trip.
• For successful and clear translations of our training notebooks and presentation slides by our Italian friends, and for our coordination with our translators as we teach.
• For final trip plans to come together. Our first week there is set while we teach, but we plan to stay a second week for vacation, and still have some arrangements to complete.

Thanks as always for being part of our lives and ministry. And do let us know how we can pray for you.