My family and I have lived in Abilene since 1989. Mimi and I married in 1982, and we'll celebrate 25 years in August of 2007. We were in San Antonio for 5 years, Irving for 4 years, and we've been here for 17 years. Can you believe how time has flown by. Our daughter, Katie, is 18 and a sophomore at ACU. This is actually her first year, but she's a bit driven, so she already has sophomore hours. She loves ACU, and she finds herself right in the middle of it all. Colin, our son, is 17 and a junior at Abilene High School. He's graduating early and plans to be at ACU next year. We also have a foster son, Colin Batchelor, who is married to Amy Brewington. They live in Dallas with their 3 beautiful children, our grand children, Blake, Emily, and Mary Ellen. Colin and Amy graduated from ACU. Colin received his law degree from Pepperdine and has practiced law in both California and Texas. Amy received her masters from Baylor in speach and language therapy. She practiced while they lived in California, but currently remains at home while the kids are young.
In 12 days we're headed to Oxford, England, where we'll live for the next 5 months. Mimi and I are teaching in the ACU study abroad program. Katie and Colin will both be with us, also studying at Oxford. Colin's courses are dual credit, which helps him with his high school requirements. We have 36 ACU students going with us.
My vocation has always been ministry, but the jobs have varied quite a bit, from preaching, to prison chaplaincy, to youth and family ministry, to campus ministry, to being a therapist in ACU's counseling center, to being dean of students, to teaching full-time, to serving as associate provost and dean of campus life, to now serving as university dean of spiritual formation and assistant professor of higher education. Mimi has taught as assistant professor in journalism and mass communications, English, and now in higher education. She also currently works as director of residence life education and housing, but beginning in June she will be the director of faculty development. We both worked on our doctorates at the same time. It was tough, but we made it. Mine is in marriage and family therapy/family studies; Mimi's is in higher education, though her teaching research/teaching fields are English, communicaitons, and education.
We attend Highland and enjoy our fellowship. I lead worship and Mimi sings with me on the worship team. Colin plays guitar and drums in the Highland youth band. Katie has always been a leader in her youth group at Highland, and now at ACU. She's a history major, and she loves medieval and church history. She hopes to graduate ACU and pursue her PhD at Oxford. Colin isn't too sure about his future, but he would love to study the business and production side of music, perhaps at Belmont College in Nashville, or perhaps join the FBI after a stint with the Marines. How's that for varied.
Last summer Mimi and I traveled to Beijing, China with a Christian delegation of pastors and leaders. Our friends, John and Lisa Bentley and their family work with an orphanage/children's home there. We've made some amazing contacts, and China has quickly become our love. I'll be going back with our Katie and Colin, and with 10 to 15 ACU students this summer. Mimi and I hope to lead a mission group from Highland in the summer of 2008 to China. It's an amazing country, and God is moving in powerful ways.
You probably know that Beth Balfour Reeves lives in Abilene as well. Her husband, Brent, is a professor at ACU as well. They attend Highland with us, and 3 of their 5 sons are students at ACU. We've been bless to teach 2 of them. How fun it has been to be part of the next generation.
There's so much more I could share. The Lord has blessed us greatly, and we've tried to remain faithful to His call in our lives. Being at ACU is a blessing. We have so many opportunities to learn alongside our students, and to be involved in ministry and outreach to others all over the world. GNNE continues to be a bright spot in my life. So much of my desire for ministry was forged during those years.
I'll close this for now. I hope and pray that you are all blessed in the Lord. Grace and peace!
I was going through the info some sent for the 10th reunion. We've already mentioned Camp WaMaVa and the No Name Restaurant, Fish Face and Beautiful Feet, but do you also remember: 
