Beckham Daniel

July 14, 2011

8lbs 14 ozs

Much has happened since April...it is time for me to catch-up! Steven and I decided to "retire" earlier than we had first planned and to begin to plan for our RV adventures a couple years ahead of time! So, in June, he resigned as Senior Pastor of Crown Point Baptist, where we had served for 19 years. He also (after much prayer) accepted a 6 month deployment with the Florida Air Guard to Kyrgyzstan. He left on July 5th and is scheduled to return next January. This will be his last deployment, as he will retire from the Guard in June. His Chaplain ministry there is a very busy one, as the base is the hub for all of our troops that go in and out of Afghanistan. God is using him to touch many lives and to encourage our men and women as they protect and serve this great country. Please keep him in your prayers.

In July we were blessed by the birth of Beckham Daniel, born to Clayton & Erica...and big brother Braddock! He is such a delight and has brightens our world daily. And then God doubly blessed us with the news that in March, our Thompson family tree will be increased by two more beautiful new grandchildren! Brandon & April...and big sister Taylor are expecting twins!! We are so thankful and grateful to God. And last, but not least, Adam & Jill...and Liz and Cael increased their family also by adopting a white Lab/Dalmatian mix, named Lacey!

If all goes as we plan, Steven will arrive back home in January and then will finish out his commitment to the Air Guard in June and we will move in to our RV and move out on the road! We hope to travel and minister along the way as we see this incredible country God has created. Will be sure to keep you all in the loop as HE leads us in our retirement adventure!

It seems I am not very good at keeping up this blog! Hopefully, once we are on the road and seeing many of God's creations, I will be more motivated to update often! We are getting closer and closer to that moment, as Steven has announced his leaving Crown Point this June and then will also retire from the Guard next June.

He has been tasked to deploy this June to Kyrgyzstan for 6 months, he will be stationed at Manas Training Center, where he will be lead Chaplain to the troops there. When he returns next January, we will move into our Class A Monaco RV and begin our new life as "full timers"! We are hoping to get involved with "Campers On Mission" and minister as we travel!

Our sons, daughter-in-laws and fabulous grandchildren are all doing great and we are so blessed by them! Adam, Jill, Liz & Cael are currently living in Atlanta. Brandon, April & Taylor are living at West Point. And Clayton, Erica & Braddock (Beckham due in July) are living here in Jax. Each one brings us so much JOY!