Our Guest from A Different World

Earlier this Summer, Charlie and I had the chance to open our
home to Austin Westlake, who traveled across country to serve as
an intern at New Life Church. Austin was excited and perhaps a
bit nervous about coming to NE but he wanted his internship
to be a time when he would be stretched and experience many
things that he'd never learn in a classroom.

Austin took on a wide variety of assignments and two of his
projects that garnered front page coverage in the local newspaper
involved installing 6,300 American flags on the front yard of the
church to celebrate Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

When Austin wasn't working on a project at church, he
could likely be found in his favorite spot, the screen
porch out behind our barn! As an avid reader, I think he
read an average of one book a week!

Though, as an intern, Austin was able to experience most
aspects of pastoral ministry and spent countless hours
in the church office doing whatever was asked of him,
our time spent with him was family time! He had fun learning
to cook with Charlie. He tasted his first and last steamed clam
but loved  his first taste of lobster. 

As Austin's 12 weeks with us was coming to an end
it was time for the guys to check the car's readiness
for the trip back to Missouri.

Charlie explained how to change the oil and replace the oil
filter.

And to repair the regular and persistent slow leak
in a car tire.

Meet Austin's fiance Lauren! He proposed  this week
and she accepted. Though we didn't have a chance to get to
know her, we enjoyed  her short stay before they headed
back to Central Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri!

Oh, you might wonder why the title, A Guest from
A Different World?  From Austin's perspective, he was
coming to a part of the country filled with hills, trees and
windy roads! Even our weather was strange to him, especially
in May when it was colder and wetter than usual. Everything
was different! 

Charlie and I were hopeful when we said 'Yes' to opening
our home! Austin was an answer to prayer and we look
forward to staying in touch!

Watch for another posting! We spent lots of time touring
Lexington & Concord's Battle Road , the Minuteman Museum and lots more!