A Tribute

I've attempted to write this blog post several times but life has been a little hectic. So, I apologize in advance to my 2 followers :)

When Ben and I first started dating I was so amazed that all 4 of his grandparents were still living. My grandparents passed away when I was in high school and so I am always slightly jealous of friends that are still able to enjoy their grandparents company and have their grandparents around for major milestones (graduations, weddings, babies, etc). It is with deep sadness that I have to write that both of Ben's grandfathers went to be with the Lord this past month. They were both men of faith and I feel so blessed to have met them and been considered one of their grandchildren. They have both had a tremendous impact on the man Ben is today and for that I am so grateful. We are mourning here on earth but rejoicing that they are in a better place!

Ben's mother's father, Sam, was one of the most gentle and kind hearted men I've ever met. He reminds me so much of my dad. He was so selfless and took care of everything for Helen as her health started to decline. I thought I would copy and paste his obituary on here just to have.

GALYON, SAMUEL BRUCE JR. - age 89 died Sunday, August 29,2010. He was a retired rural mail carrier and farmer. A member of the Sweetwater First United Methodist Church. A veteran of WWII-Air Force. Preceded in death by wife, Helen L. Summitt Galyon, son, Samuel David Galyon. Survived by daughter and son-in-law: Mrs. Carol and Mike Mingle of Chattanooga; son and daughter-in-law: Rev. Bruce and Melanie Galyon of Lenoir City; grandchildren, Ben Mingle and wife Jill Mingle, Jacob Mingle, Jessica Galyon and Andrew Galyon; many nieces and nephews. The family thanks the staff of Woods Presbyterian Home and Sweetwater Hospital for their excellent care. Family and friends will meet Tuesday, August 31, 2010 4:00 PM at West View Cemetery for graveside service and interment with Rev. Carl Oaks officiating. A memorial service to follow at 5:30 PM at Kyker Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM until 7:00 pm. Memorials can be made to Sweetwater First United Methodist Church or Hiwassee College. Kyker Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

Bill, Ben's dad's father, passed away a week ago from today. One thing the pastor said at the service which I think is so true, Bill was the always the same. He never changed or felt the need to conform to today's society. He had a great sense of humor and was a loving husband to his wife of 59 years, Dottie. Here is his obituary.

Clarence "Bill" Mingle, went home to be with the Lord, Sept. 20, 2010. A native Tennessean, he lived his first 40 years in Bristol Tennessee, where he served our country in the military, was a member of Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church, worked 11 years with American Thread Co. as supervisor, 13 years with Monroe Calculating. He transferred to Chattanooga in 1968. He served six years as branch manager of The Fuller Brush Co., served 17 years with Ken Manufacturing Co. and 14 years with the City of Chattanooga in Arts and Cultural Administration for The Tivoli Theatre and Memorial Auditorium. His wife of 59 years is Dorothy Richardson Mingle; they have one son, William Michael Mingle, wife Carol Galyon Mingle; and grandsons, Ben Mingle, wife Jill Cooper Mingle, and Jacob Mingle. Bill Mingle was a Christian and member of Ridgedale Baptist Church. A military graveside service with honors conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard will be held Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, at 1 p.m. in Weaver's Cemetery in Bristol Tennessee. Arrangements will be handled by Weaver Funeral Home in Bristol Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Ridgedale Baptist Church in Chattanooga or The American Heart Association.

I found this on-line and thought it was so encouraging. "As Christians,  we can face death and suffering without despair, for our hope is in Jesus Christ, the Giver of Life, the Conqueror of Death. Grieving like a Christian does not mean we do not grieve. It means we grieve without despair. God does not tell us we will not have sorrows. He tells us that He will be our comfort in sorrow. He does not tell us we will not have tears. He tells us He will be there with us to wipe our tears away. He does not tell us there will not be times to mourn. He tells us that on the other side of that mourning is the promise of joy indescribable."

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4


Thank you to all the sweet e-mails, text, and phone calls. We really appreciate the prayers and kindness that has been shown to us over these past few weeks!

A weekend in Chatty!

After being out of town 5 out of the past 6 weekends, we were both really looking forward to staying here this weekend. We had quite a busy weekend, here are some of the highlights:

We celebrated the marriage of our friends Allison & Blake. We have met them through our small group at church and have really enjoyed getting to know them and watching their relationship progress from dating to now husband and wife!

The bride in her cute "getaway" dress

Some of our small group with the bride

Girls from Bible Study

Saturday night, Ben surprised me by taking me to my favorite restaurant in the Chattanooga area. Actually, it may be one of my favorites period. The food and service are awesome but the best part is you can bring your own wine (no corking fee)! The only downside is it's on the top of Lookout Mountain, which means you have to eventually drive down the mountain to get home.

After dinner, we drove through Cloudland Canyon State Park since we were really close. This is somewhere I've been wanting to go hike and after seeing it I am even more excited about going back. The views were breathtaking!

The weekend ended with a party for Ben's grandmother, who is now a published author! She was a professional storyteller and it has always been her dream to have one of her books published. She chose to publish her book about the women of the bible first. She is already making plans to publish more. It has been really good for her to stay busy and she is enjoying every minute of it! So, Ben's mother hosted a book signing party for her at their house. She had so many dear friends that came out to show their support!

On a side note, her publisher told her she was their only client who did not have an e-mail account. Therefore, all of the drafts/revisions were sent via snail mail :) Ben had to explain to her many times the importance of having a website to promote her book.

There is never a dull moment...even weekends when you stay at home!