Breaking Ground

It's finally here! We broke ground this week on our new home in the La Bon Vie neighborhood here in upper Lafayette. They should be pouring our slab on Tuesday and our builder says once the slab is poured we will be in the home within six months! We should be in before Christmas and maybe even before little Elsie Willow arrives! The attorney who handled the closing on our construction loan let us know our builder built his daughters home a couple of years ago and had her in within three months! That would be awesome! 

Our builder is Ali Malekian with AM Design Build and we have heard nothing but incredible things about him. It has been a pleasure going through the design phase with him and he has worked diligently to design the house we want within our budget. Kerry Emanis introduced us to Mr. Ali when we were looking at homes in the Couret Farms. He had just built a floor plan that we thought we might want to use in that neighborhood, but it didn't work out. However, we loved his work and when our lot became available in La Bon Vie we knew we wanted him to design and build our home. It has been a fun but challenging ordeal to get all our finishes, colors and materials picked out but we have it all selected and approved by our HOA. When it's completed it will look something like this... 

Our New Addition

We got the exciting news today that our next grand baby will be a little girl! We are ecstatic! 

I was in Alexandria at Presbytery meetings. Donna watched Ezekiel for Robin and Eli while they made her appointment. They came back to the apartment, brought him into his play room to share the news with him first while Donna got me on a FaceTime call. When Zeke came into the room, he had his Pooh Bear with him wearing a bow to let us know he's having a little sister! 

They are naming her Elsie Willow and Lovey and I are already smitten! 

The Jaquas

There are so many examples of how God has used our Leadership College to shape the lives of world changers, but none is more up close and personal than Paul and Michelle Jaqua. They came to us as teenagers and ended up staying with the program for over fifteen years - first as students, then as staff and ultimately as directors. They have poured their heart and soul into this school and I am forever indebted! 

The Jaquas have decided to step off the Lead Team and take a break from ministry. I am so thankful they will still be here in Lafayette and still be a part of the Crossroads family. I am going to miss having them around day-to-day - they are like family to me. 

Matthew and Mariah Ackman will be taking over as directors of the college in addition to their role as Student Pastors and I believe we have a bright future! Even in this succession, I see the fruit of Paul and Michelle's ministry as Mariah was actually introduced to Crossroads through Michelle. I love how God works. 

April Overview

Lots of great things happened in the month of April!

We had an incredible Easter weekend. We are still not quite back up to our pre-COVID numbers, but we had over 2,800 in attendance with 40 people responding to the gospel! We shared an illustrated message called The Seven Statements Jesus Made From the Cross. We combined clips from the Jesus of Nazareth movie with preaching and music for a true old school Easter Production! Many have described it as the best Easter message they've ever heard. 

We hosted the Louisiana Assemblies of God Lead Conference. It was a wonderful time and my friend Scott Holmes was elected Superintendent for a third term. It is always so good to get together with old friends and meet new ones at this annual conference. Each time we host it, all the district office personnel tell us they wish Crossroads could host it every year. So proud of our team that makes it happen. Our network is getting stronger and healthier all the time and I am so thankful. Louisiana has been through some rough times the past few years but better days are ahead! 

I got a new Jeep Grand Cherokee! I love it! It took some patience - I ordered it in January and it didn't make it in until the end of April - but it's here! It is crazy how the supply chains have everything backed up. I traded in my 2018 Ford Explorer and got a great price for it. Used cars are selling for unbelievable prices in this economy. I had a Grand Cherokee before the Explorer and loved it. I knew I wanted to go back to the Jeep product. It really was my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. So grateful for God's blessings in our life. 

Most importantly - We found out we are going to have another grand baby! Robin and Eli are expecting and Dumpling - that's what we are calling the baby until we find out what they're having - should arrive mid-December! We are ecstatic! Without a doubt, becoming grandparents has been one of the greatest joys of our lives. Donna and I are crazy about our little grandson and we enjoy him so much. We can't wait to have another sweet baby to fill our days with fun and have another sweetie to dote on. I know Ezekiel is going to be an incredible big brother. I can't wait to see if he's going to have a little brother or a little sister. I think Lovie is hoping for the sister!