Not too old for a new adventure : Our College Kids

One aspect of this adventure of life that has been unexpected, sweet, and fun has been new friendships with a group of college students.

It all started when we moved to the little house on Long St, in Stephenville. There were two college students living across the street. Les met one of the girls right after we moved in when they had a garage sale. He introduced himself to Rebecca and gave her our number to call in case they needed help with anything. That was the start of a very special friendship.

We became adopted grandparents to Rebecca. She had lunch or supper with us at least 2 times a week. She began to go to church with us, and really became like part of the family. She introduced us to some of her friends, and eventually, we had a whole group of college girls coming to church with us, then to our house for lunch.

Rebecca’s friend Harlie was not a Christian, but she began to enjoy coming to church with us and having lunch afterward. She came to believe in Jesus over the course of a few weeks in the summer of 2014, and was baptized on Feb. 1, 2015. She has pursued Jesus with passion since that time. Although she moved to Nashville in December, she is still dear to us and in frequent contact.

Harlie brought her friend Morgan, who came to faith in Christ in the summer of 2015.

Morgan and Harlie with Les

Emily R. baptism

Harlie’s friend Emily attended Harlies baptism, and, through the next months considered the things that she heard that day until she gave her life to Jesus in November, and was baptized the first of December.

Harlie, Carter, Emily M., Morgan

Throughout these months, young friends of Rebeccas have joined this precious little group. As the weeks went by, we invited other college students to dinner who we met at church, and the group grew. This fall, our grandson, Carter, attended Tarleton and found himself with a group of best friends (all girls) that were here ready to receive him when he came. We joke about Carter’s cool grand parents who introduced him to a bunch of girls when he went to college.

Back row: Rebeca, Emily M.
Front: Harlie, Olivia, Morgan, Brannon

Every week, we have six to fifteen college students in our home on Sundays for dinner.

Melissa, Jenny, Rachel, Monique, me

Most weeks, we see these kids two or three times during the week also. They play with our grandchildren, take naps on our sofa, help clean the kitchen, serve the church with us, just are part of our family. We have found ourselves invited to bowling parties, Christmas parties, other get-togethers of young people. These relationships have brought a new purpose and vitality to our lives.