What a week! We decided last weekend that this weekend would be the perfect time for an RUF cookout at our house. But Wednesday, I started feeling pretty bad, but chided myself for staying up too late the night before and pushed through. That night at RUF, my throat was killing me during the singing. Thurs. morning my first thought on waking was that I was not up for the day ahead. By 9:30 that morning, I was aching down to my toenails and could hardly swallow. A nurse got me in to see the doc by 11:20 and shortly after, I was diagnosed with Strep Throat!! Yikes. That definitely came out of nowhere. I've never had it before so I didn't know what to expect. I went straight home where I crawled shivering into bed and prayed that Ben would be able to handle the rest. But the party was still on...and I had to get better...quick!
So, thanks to our wonderful ministry team, the Sloppy Joe's got cooked, the house got cleaned and tables and chairs got into the house. And I managed to get dressed and be present at the party! I actually felt like myself too, thanks to the tea and coke I downed before party time. But we all know the Lord's hand was what held me up. I was so glad to be there. And I didn't play too badly at spades either!!I am so thankful for this house! We tested its limits this weekend and it passed! We had 35 students here at one time! We bought the house hoping that the open layout and multiple conversation areas would lend itself to a crowd. We had a group watching the game, two rooms of card games going and a crowd in the dinette hanging out. If it had not been so windy, I think our fire pit and patio would have been fun too.
We love RUF. We love students! We feel so priviliged to be in a position to minister to students and are so thankful for such a wonderful church, supporting us as we do it. And we praise Jesus, who loves us and enables us to serve Him by sharing the gospel in this way. 
