Good friends and good fish

Adam and Aaron recently went fishing with some of our good friends in the Arroyo Colorado. They were fishing in the evening off a dock and Aaron caught his first trout. He was so excited and I think the photo reflects that. He was a typical six year old boy who talked the whole time, but was faithful to shush the older boys when they whispered because they were "scaring the fish away with their noise."

The older boys set such a good example of sacrifice and love. They only had one pole on the dock (planned that way by the adult so to keep hooks out of the kids and only in the water and the fish), so they took turns casting and reeling. The older boys would sit back and allow Aaron to take multiple turns without complaining once. They knew that Aaron had never caught a trout and they had, so they allowed him to take many turns in hopes that he would catch a fish. This was probably easier because there were few bites on the line that night, but never the less, the boys were faithful friends.

Our friends, Bill and Randy, made a special effort to take our boys fishing when Jennifer and I could not go. They were faithful to us, to our kids, and to the Lord. True friends are great to have in this world. Jennifer and I are blessed to have many good friends and we are so thankful to those adults and children who are teaching our children what good friendship looks like. Sometimes it looks like a shiny silver fish, but it is always reflected in the smile of a child.

thankful for good friends,
Bro. Wade

Overwhelmed with Love

Going through a crisis situation is so much easier if you don't go through it alone. This past week our family experienced this again. We were so blessed to see how the body of Christ responded to us in our time of need.

Many of our friends who are physicians and nurses came to our aid at the hospital in minutes of our arrival and they continued to care for me and my family through the days and nights that followed.

Many of our friends who work at the hospital came to check on us and they cared for Jennifer, which in turn helped me.

Our great and caring ministerial staff from First Baptist Harlingen proved once again that they really care about their church family, and this time it was expressed toward my family.

Many sent emails and text messages around the world in just a few hours, enlisting prayer warriors to stand in the gap for my family. We have heard from so many around the country who have shared their compassion with us.

Still others have provided tangible things, like child care, meals, cards, and plants. Each filling a different need in our lives at just the right time.
Needless to say, we have been overwhelmed with love and we are grateful to all.

Thank you for being Jesus to the Hood family,
Bro. Wade