Farewell Parties

The past two weeks have been filled with hanging out with all of our favorite people before we head out of D-Town. We've had a blast with each night filled with friends and family. We are so grateful for everyone who made a special effort to hang out with us one last time before we move.

We kicked things off going out to Raleigh one night to have dinner with two of Stephen's friends from high school. We squeezed this visit in between our beach trip and summer camp.

After returning from summer camp on a Monday, getting caught up on lots of laundry Tuesday, and going out with Stephen's mom Wednesday, we started our week and a half farewell party with our small group on Thursday night. We have loved doing life with this group of awesome people over the past three years!

Laura was leaving for the beach so we got an afternoon at the pool in before she left and I got some extra cuddle time with sweet Raylan!

Friday night we had a game night with some of the people Stephen worked with at The Summit. Despite a strong start, the girls lost. :( Pardon the bluriness...some intense Catch Phrase was happening!

Saturday night some of Stephen's middle school leaders and friends had us over for a cook out. We didn't get a picture, but I'll let this picture from camp share night stand in its place. The guy on the far right, Nick, is one of the guys who hosted us.

Then, Sunday night we had Camp Share Night at church. It wasn't a farewell party for us, but still a lot of fun to get to see some of our students and student ministry friends one more time.

Monday during the day, I got to spend a day with my friend Elizabeth who I've taught with the past four years at Carrington. We walked around Duke Gardens and had lunch together, but didn't get a picture. So, I'll put this one from our time at the beach together this summer. She's moving back home to Ohio and I'm moving to Morganton. It's so weird to think we won't be seeing each other everyday this year at school...

Monday night we had our Chick-Fil-A A-List party. A party where we got to invite 50 friends and family to eat for free (!) thanks to Stephen being on their A-List...aka a very frequent customer. We had the majority of our family, some old family friends from Grey Stone, and the high school girls that I had in the small group I led this past year there to celebrate with us.

Tuesday night I got together with some friends from Carrington for dinner. We didn't get a picture either, but here is a fun one from this past school year! :)

Wednesday night we met up with our friend Courtney and had her take some pictures of us in Downtown Durham. She was great and we had a blast!

Thursday night Stephen's Voyager students had us over for a cook out and pool party. This is the group of guys who's moms came to Stephen when we first started at The Summit and said, "Our boys aren't involved. They're too busy during the week, but we want them in a small group." Stephen started a small group on Sunday nights with them and it has been so cool watching God work in their lives. They weren't an easy group to break into, but Stephen didn't give up on them. It was great to be able to visit with them and their families again before we left.

Then, Friday night after loading up all of our stuff and sending it ahead of us to Morganton, I got together with some life long friends at Ame's house for a cook out. We've been friends since we were 13 years old! I couldn't leave Durham without an EKA get together (+ David).

I may have had enough hamburgers and hot dogs for a long time, but am so thankful for the time our friends and family took to wish us farewell over the past two weeks. We'll miss you all, but we'll be back! :)