Grandmother and Granddaddy had to leave first thing Saturday morning, but we were able to spend the entire weekend with Gary's parents and grandparents. They were all alot of help while juggling the kids, especially before Gary arrived. The kids did really well. Ruth is getting to the age that I can't sit her on the bench next to Britt during services because they get into mischief together. Britt grins at her and she babbles back. Ruth is playing with a toy, and Britt steals it. Britt drinks his cup, and the whole time Ruth is protesting and trying to get it for herself. It's amusing.

Britt did really well except for Saturday afternoon. I suppose he had just finally had enough of sitting on the bench. He went out three times during song service and once more during preaching - for throwing song books, shredding a roll on the bench, rediscovering and shredding a roll on the bench, and then refusing to get quiet. He was tired and it was a long weekend out of the routine, which always does Britt in. But after the last time (and the real key, Daddy locating a cup of milk) he settled down.

My favorite sermon from the weekend was Bro. Philip Conley who preached on the old paths. He used the verse in a way that I had never considered before. Jeremiah 6:16 "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." Bro. Philip told us that the old paths were those enduring things that God ordained before the foundation of the world. He told us that the key to the first is that first we must stand. There are many ways that we can go, many ways and places that we can be, first we must stop and then see where we are, before we can determine if we are where we should be. After we stand and see, then we must ask others. We cannot just go off on our own, but in the multitude of many councilors is wisdom. When we stand and see we must inquire of those who already know the way. When any one will not council and ask of others they run the risk of straying. After all of that, if we will walk in those paths then we get the rest of God. This isn't a sit down and do nothing rest, but rather he stressed, it is the rest we get from laboring in the kingdom of God. The type of rest Christ talks about when he tells us to take his yoke upon us for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

It was a great weekend of good preaching and good time with the family. One thing that I was finally able to do was get a generational picture four generations of Cunningham men. Oh were they hysterical. Making faces, complaining and joking the entire time. It was a much needed weekend away.