While in the US recently for meetings, Mike got to spend some fun time with Sam and Christine and Ben in North Carolina.
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Blue Ridge Mountains with Ben, Sam and Christine
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Welcome Sonny, Rafe and Lois!!
Dear Family and Friends
We take great joy in introducing you to our new family.
Just when you think you have your future figured out, sometimes the great surprises come. Now that our 3 boys have moved along (Sam and Christine married and living in Black Mountain, NC; Ben at Liberty U; and Caleb at Black Forest Academy), we thought that we were permanent empty-nesters. The last few months have been a whirlwind of excitement. Sorry that we have not been able to share this news with any of you, but this had to be kept confidential until everything was final. Just this week the judge here signed the final papers, so now we can share our good news.
We have now formally adopted these 3 beautiful siblings, now named Sonny Judson Pineda, Rafe Carey Pineda and Lois Taylor Pineda. Their names are a combination of their original first names, second names from heroes of the faith and their new last names.
The story of how this all happened is a complicated one. It begins when their parents, John and Lesley, a former English professional football (soccer) player for Liverpool and a former fashion model, began attending our church two years ago. Without going into detail, they made some tragic mistakes several years ago that have just now caught up with them. They are now both permanently out of the picture. Because we had befriended them and were with them through some difficult days, they asked us to take their children.
The original plan was for Sam and Christine to adopt the children. They were very willing and excited. The problem is that they are not UK residents and thus the process would have been much more difficult and lengthy. Additionally, our company will pay a good portion of the adoption expenses and as they will technically be our children, they will be covered by our company’s medical insurance and education benefits. The plan is that Sam and Christine will eventually have the children (likely when they finish seminary), but we will have them for a couple years at least.
We are excited about the challenge of starting over. Some might say we are too old to have little ones tugging on our legs. Speaking of pulling legs, we are now pulling yours. None of this is true, except that these are beautiful children. April Fools.
[Yes, we know this is a bit premature, but serial April Fool-ers need an edge, don’t they? Maybe this will inspire you to have a little fun and make someone laugh. Let us know your story if you do.]
If you have a response, leave it as a cooment below.
MJSCB&C Pineda
We take great joy in introducing you to our new family.
Just when you think you have your future figured out, sometimes the great surprises come. Now that our 3 boys have moved along (Sam and Christine married and living in Black Mountain, NC; Ben at Liberty U; and Caleb at Black Forest Academy), we thought that we were permanent empty-nesters. The last few months have been a whirlwind of excitement. Sorry that we have not been able to share this news with any of you, but this had to be kept confidential until everything was final. Just this week the judge here signed the final papers, so now we can share our good news.We have now formally adopted these 3 beautiful siblings, now named Sonny Judson Pineda, Rafe Carey Pineda and Lois Taylor Pineda. Their names are a combination of their original first names, second names from heroes of the faith and their new last names.
The story of how this all happened is a complicated one. It begins when their parents, John and Lesley, a former English professional football (soccer) player for Liverpool and a former fashion model, began attending our church two years ago. Without going into detail, they made some tragic mistakes several years ago that have just now caught up with them. They are now both permanently out of the picture. Because we had befriended them and were with them through some difficult days, they asked us to take their children.
The original plan was for Sam and Christine to adopt the children. They were very willing and excited. The problem is that they are not UK residents and thus the process would have been much more difficult and lengthy. Additionally, our company will pay a good portion of the adoption expenses and as they will technically be our children, they will be covered by our company’s medical insurance and education benefits. The plan is that Sam and Christine will eventually have the children (likely when they finish seminary), but we will have them for a couple years at least.
We are excited about the challenge of starting over. Some might say we are too old to have little ones tugging on our legs. Speaking of pulling legs, we are now pulling yours. None of this is true, except that these are beautiful children. April Fools.
[Yes, we know this is a bit premature, but serial April Fool-ers need an edge, don’t they? Maybe this will inspire you to have a little fun and make someone laugh. Let us know your story if you do.]
If you have a response, leave it as a cooment below.
MJSCB&C Pineda
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Northern Ireland--Anniversary #27
To celebrate our 27th anniversary, we flew to Belfast, hired a car and headed out to see Northern Ireland and the northern part of the Republic of Ireland. We stayed in a B&B in (London)derry run by Mary and her family. Wonderful visit to a beautiful place.
Here are some random photos of our visit. We hesitate to show these photos because they do not come close to capturing the amazing beauty.
The Wee House of Malin, at the northernmost point of Ireland.
A reminder of recent conflict. This is in the Catholic sector of (London)derry, with a mural of Bernadette Devlin in the background.
From the Protestant side
Peace Bridge in Belfast
Julie at Mussenden Temple in Northern Ireland
Mike at Giant's Causeway
27 Years and still a smiling couple.
Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-Rede
Par three, 325 Yards. No problem.
Here are some random photos of our visit. We hesitate to show these photos because they do not come close to capturing the amazing beauty.
The Wee House of Malin, at the northernmost point of Ireland.
A reminder of recent conflict. This is in the Catholic sector of (London)derry, with a mural of Bernadette Devlin in the background.
From the Protestant side
Peace Bridge in Belfast
Julie at Mussenden Temple in Northern Ireland
Mike at Giant's Causeway
27 Years and still a smiling couple.
Rope Bridge at Carrick-a-Rede
Par three, 325 Yards. No problem.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
US December 2011
We had a wonderful time with family and friends while in the US Christmas 2011. Here are some photos:
Mike and Jukie and Sam and Christine at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. A reward for Sam and Mike after a day of shopping.
Sam really surprised Mike and Julie. We had just arrived in Lynchburg that morning to see Ben and go to church with him. After church we were at a restaurant waiting for a table when Mike walked outside for a minute. He looked down the sidewalk and saw a guy who looked just like Sam. As he got close it was eerie how much this guy looked like Sam. Mike was amazed that there was a guy at LU who looked so much like Sam. It wasn't until he was 25 feet away that Mike realized it WAS Sam. Then Sam walked in and hugged Julie, but she was not looking, focused instead on the menu. She assumed it was Mike but she then realized the hug didn't feel like Mike. She looked up and almost dropped her dentures when she saw Sam.
Celebration of Julie's 61st birthday at Chili's with her boys and new daughter.
The hike to Laurel Falls wore Ben out.
Caleb and Ben finally caught up to Mike at the falls.
The three brothers at the falls. NewYears Eve 2011.
At the trailhead. Ready for adventure.
Mike and Jukie and Sam and Christine at the Apple Barn in Pigeon Forge. A reward for Sam and Mike after a day of shopping.
Sam really surprised Mike and Julie. We had just arrived in Lynchburg that morning to see Ben and go to church with him. After church we were at a restaurant waiting for a table when Mike walked outside for a minute. He looked down the sidewalk and saw a guy who looked just like Sam. As he got close it was eerie how much this guy looked like Sam. Mike was amazed that there was a guy at LU who looked so much like Sam. It wasn't until he was 25 feet away that Mike realized it WAS Sam. Then Sam walked in and hugged Julie, but she was not looking, focused instead on the menu. She assumed it was Mike but she then realized the hug didn't feel like Mike. She looked up and almost dropped her dentures when she saw Sam.
Celebration of Julie's 61st birthday at Chili's with her boys and new daughter.
The hike to Laurel Falls wore Ben out.
Caleb and Ben finally caught up to Mike at the falls.
The three brothers at the falls. NewYears Eve 2011.
At the trailhead. Ready for adventure.Thursday, December 1, 2011
Scotland
Thanksgiving Week 2011, we went to Scotland with our friends Bob and Bev Thomas. Here are some photos:
The cathedral at St Andrews, what's left of it.
Bob and Bev beside the 18th fairway of the Old Course, St Andrews, the most famous golf course in the world.
Some old man and a good-looking woman beside the 700 year old Swilcan Bridge on the 18th, one of the most famous landmarks in golf.
Old man at the Old Course
17th green with the clubhouse in the background
Right behind #18 green. Waking Sam up on Thanksgiving: "You'll never believe where I am standing."
Lunch at the clubhouse on Thanksgiving Day. Cheaper than McDonald's.
St Andrews Links Clubhouse
Cottage we stayed in near Stirling.
In front of Edinburgh Castle.
It was wet when we went to Stirling. Too bad Caleb wasn't with us. He might have been a bit embarrassed.
St. Giles Church in Edinburgh
Woman sentry in Edinburgh
The cathedral at St Andrews, what's left of it.
Bob and Bev beside the 18th fairway of the Old Course, St Andrews, the most famous golf course in the world.
Some old man and a good-looking woman beside the 700 year old Swilcan Bridge on the 18th, one of the most famous landmarks in golf.
Old man at the Old Course
17th green with the clubhouse in the background
Right behind #18 green. Waking Sam up on Thanksgiving: "You'll never believe where I am standing."
Lunch at the clubhouse on Thanksgiving Day. Cheaper than McDonald's.
St Andrews Links Clubhouse
Cottage we stayed in near Stirling.
In front of Edinburgh Castle.
It was wet when we went to Stirling. Too bad Caleb wasn't with us. He might have been a bit embarrassed.
St. Giles Church in Edinburgh
Woman sentry in EdinburghWednesday, November 30, 2011
Thankful
Here are some ways I am thankful and how I hope to act on my thankfulness:
· I am thankful the Lord forgave me for rebelling against Him. I hope to remember His forgiveness of me when others wrong me.
· I am thankful the Lord did not give up on me when I messed something up big time. I hope to remember that when others fail.
· I am thankful the Lord drew near to me when I sinned. I hope to remember that when I am tempted to shun others who sin.
· I am thankful the Lord did not give me some things I really prayed hard for. I hope to remember that when the Lord tells me No again.
· I am thankful the Lord allowed me to dig myself a big hole and did not stop me. I hope to resist the temptation to intervene to stop others from their follies.
· I am thankful the Lord showed me clearly that there are consequences for sin. I hope never to think sin is harmless.
· I am thankful the Lord gave me a wonderful wife, three good boys and a precious daughter. I hope never to doubt God’s abundant blessings.
· I am thankful that ministry is always messy. I hope never to think it’s so easy I can minister to others without the Lord’s help.
· I am thankful that the closer I get to faithful people, the more I see they are not perfect. I hope to remember that no one expects me to be perfect.
· I am thankful for my Greek friend Makis, a street peddler with few teeth, who loves Jesus. I hope to never to look down on any man.
· I am thankful to have seen the Lord’s hand in terrible things like cancer and death. I hope never to think any problem is too big for the Lord.
· I am thankful that when I was 13 years old Woody Woodward came to my house on Sunday mornings, got me out of bed and drank coffee with my Dad until I was ready to go to Sunday School. I hope also to be patient with young people.
· I am thankful that Coach Bill Norris, a grouchy old former soldier, insisted I go to FCA camp. I hope to point young people to Christ.
· I am thankful for the examples of the Apostle Paul, Adoniram Judson, Charles Colson, John Bunyan and others, who were transformed from rebels to saints. I hope never to think any man is beyond the reach of the Lord.
· I am thankful for my Aunt Stella, who prayed for me when I had no interest in the Lord. I hope to remember to pray for others who have no interest in Him.
· I am thankful that one of the modern Christian heroes, CS Lewis, smoked a pipe and lifted a pint regularly. I hope to remember that not all believers are like me or agree with me on everything.
· I am thankful that I am not wealthy. I hope always to know I need the Lord and that He meets my every need.
· I am thankful for worldwide economic uncertainties. I hope I will be like the wise man who built his house on the rock.
· I am thankful for birds. Just because.
· I am thankful for sports. I hope always to remember that it’s just a game, though.
· I am thankful for John Watts, Barry St Clair, John Frazier and others, who taught this once young man how to walk with the Lord. I hope also to point young men toward the narrow path.
· I am thankful that all those listed in Hebrews 11 had struggles. I hope to remember that struggles do not mean that the Lord has abandoned me.
· I am thankful when the passion of young people for Jesus makes me uncomfortable. I hope I never throw cold water on their fire.
· I am thankful for churches full of people who don’t know how to act in church. I hope not to teach them to act like we do.
· I am thankful for Jesus, without whom I’d have no hope.
What are you thankful for? I’d love to hear about it.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
SamChristine Wedding
The wedding was perfect. It was so much fun watching Sam and Christine unite in marriage. They belong together. A perfect day.
In the golf cart they rode in to leave the wedding
The highlight of the dance floor
Some close friends from Mike's college days--Mark West (all the women already knew that), Rusty Trotter, Ashley Ownby and Mike Magill
Caleb, ready to get the show on the road. Sorry we have no photos of Ben at the wedding. He was hiding from the camera.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Stuart Pineda
Some photos:
Hitting the dance floor.
With our wonderful friends Srdjan and Elena from Greece.
Hitting the dance floor.
With our wonderful friends Srdjan and Elena from Greece.
In the golf cart they rode in to leave the wedding
The highlight of the dance floor
Some close friends from Mike's college days--Mark West (all the women already knew that), Rusty Trotter, Ashley Ownby and Mike Magill
Caleb, ready to get the show on the road. Sorry we have no photos of Ben at the wedding. He was hiding from the camera.
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Stuart Pineda
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