pablo's party

so there's this fella, {pabs i like to call him} that goes to lafayette and who loves the Lord. ben has had the honor {and i mean that, honor} or walking with pabs from the start. he got to see pablo move from death to life and then run with him after God. i know that discipling pabs has been such a huge joy & encouragement to ben. witnessing their relationship & watching pabs' heart grow has also been a gigantic blessing to me.

a few weeks ago it was pabs' birthday. his girlfriend,emily, is one of my favorite friends and was planning him a surprise party to celebrate. i don't think that he had ever had a friends & family party before & she really wanted him to feel special & celebrated. of course, we were on board!

she invited all kinds of friends and family that love pabs dearly to come out for the evening, have a cookout, volleyball, cornhole & birthday cake.  the whole deal.  a lot of these kids are the ones i said have an extra-special place in my heart.  this big ol' crew of juniors, some of which are following hard after Christ and some who have only heard about him.  walking into a backyard full of these friends - what great joy.

pablo came in blindfolded into the backyard where his friends and fam were waiting.  he was surprised & overwhelmed & even got a little choked up.  it was just about one of the sweetest things i've ever witnessed.

we sang & celebrated.  it was a beautiful day.

"for what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy."

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20