We, like many of you, have had a very busy summer and I thought this would be a good time to update everyone on the happenings in our family.

Brandon has been busy carrying on the Lawn Barber tradition by mowing yards. He has also enjoyed spending time and hanging out with friends again this summer. One highlight was getting to spend a week in Waco with a long time friend. He is preparing for another season of football as a wide receiver for Bryant High and started his junior year of high school August the 13th. 

Rachel had a great trip serving for five weeks in Peru this summer with her cousin Lauren, who has been serving there for the last 8 years. Part of what she did while there was to create a website for Para Peru and you can read and see more about her time there by going to paraperu.org. Since returning she has moved back to Siloam Springs to start a full time job serving autistic children and their families in the NW area of Arkansas.  She will begin grad school on August 20th. We hope to see her soon to celebrate her upcoming 21st birthday. 

As for Angie, she was having a pretty normal summer until a day and a half into our staff conference when she had another spell that took her to the emergency room and an overnight stay in the hospital. So far the tests that have been done have not given us any answers to what is making Angie feel bad.  She'll wear the heart monitor until August 24th.

I am currently leading the team that helps couples who are considering joining the FamilyLife team while also training my replacement as Evaluator Team Leader. The reason I am doing that is so I can transition to the events department later this year or early next year. I look forward to telling you more about my new role as I learn more about it. I'm looking forward to what God has for me next in our ministry here at FamilyLife.  

Final attendance - 61,027      Number of events - 92 

Salvation decisions - 1,005 

Top Three Comments 

• • • • • • "I sobbed through the vows. They meant more to me today than they ever have! Praise God!" Married 15 years 

          • "This was like a fresh drink of water during a dry time. We were tired and weary, now we feel young and in love." Married 43 years

          •  "Our marriage has many highway miles. This weekend is like an oil change, fresh tune-up, and new spark plugs!" Married 20 years 

• • • • • • Pray for a coworker's 13 year old son who is in the hospital with a staff infection on his liver. 

          • Angie and I are working with some other families to host the Art of Parenting for our church. Please pray as we plan and prepare for this series.

          • Pray the doctors will be able to figure out what's going on in Angie's body, for peace as we wait for answers and financial provision to cover our additional medical expenses.

          • All of us experience storms in life. We feel we are still in a storm with the loss of my brother, Angie's health situation and some other issues we face. Please pray for God to strengthen us.

Its not to early to sign up for a fall Weekend to Remember, use our group code thebarbers to save $100. 

Weekend to Remember Getaways

• • • Delray - Delray Beach Marriott - September 28 - 30 

    • Parsippany - Hilton Parsippany - October 19 - 21

    • Augusta - Marriott Con. Center - October 26 - 28

More event information at familylife.com/events.