10/20/2023
Today marks 33 years of keeping covenant. Thirty-Three! All of this is of course owing entirely to the sovereign grace of our magnificent and benevolent God. To mark the occasion we'd like to thank ALL of the couples who have been a part of The Lord's faithfulness to us and here we'll mention just just a few by name in a timeline of grace. We'd love to mention each individual, but then we'd be here a few more years:-)
October 20, 1990 - the big day!
91 Catherine arrives - grace from the beginning.
92 Longing for a Jonathon (to Keith's David) our first son enters - Steve & Heidi Betts loved us so well this year.
93 Chicago to Missouri where Rich & Michelle helped us immensely.
94 Along comes Vanessa.
95 Aaaaannnnnd....Emily!
96 This yer we got a lot of help from mom & dad Allen
97 This was mom dad Palmer's year. MO to Chi-Chicago for the Railroad. The Vanderlee's became good friends!
98 can only be described as a display of God's sovereign Grace through brokenness.
99 The brokenness began to be repaired. Fred & Sandy were a big help this year.
2000 Keith's John 3 moment and God led us to Bible Baptist Church (EastPointe) in Peru IN.
01 Our faith in Christ was growing and we bought our first home, in Peru.
02 June 9 Was when the veil was removed to the sovereignty of God, even over our sin.
03 So many people from EastPointe encouraged us like Terry & Lillian Diane.
04 We began to know Steve & Missy Young. Church fire
05 We made it to 15 years of marriage! Big party @ church!
06 Heyday of the infamous Three amigos (Keith, Jason & Jason). Two other great couples the Lord used in our lives.
07 Larry & Bonalu Young continue to be an example of a godly marriage.
08 Keith attends his first ShepCon; his desire for shepherding begins.
09 This Momentary Marriage by John Piper is released. It continues to be our favorite book on understanding the display of God in marriage.
10 Dear friends Phil & Lynda Bunce encourages us so much!
11 Larry & Cheryl Oden set a great example of mentoring other marriages.
12 Bill & Elaine Avila reconnected with us from high school at McCarrell Christian Academy! Super couple!
13 Keith was ordained as Pastor. Yes, this affects a marriage:-)
14 Seeds of church planting begin to accumulate.
15 Keith officiates his first wedding; the one and only Thomas & Ara DeBrock.
16 At the Biblical Counseling Training Conference, Brandon & Liz Bower reconnect with us. More friends from High School.
17 David Keith Allen III exploded into our family!
18 Keith officiates wedding of Jake & Amy Papacek.
19 Tim & Sherry Cowell give us so much encouragement.
20 Another wedding to officiate. Seth & Summer Cousins. John & Joanna cousins become dear to us.
21 Three weddings; Steve & Angie Hann, Joe & Debby Przybyszewski & a very special one Scott & Catherine Behm
22 Full time in planting Light City bible Church! We transition from being shepherd well in ministry by Jim & Sonya to shepherding Kevin & Misty Trotter. Aaaaannnnnndddd Emily and Andrew Townsend get hitched! Yay! James & Eureka (Vanessa) get married!
23 So many enduring friendships like with Troy & Rachel. We have the first wedding at Light City; Justin & Annie Boss.
These, so many more and all the dear coupes and people of Light City Bible Church are so very dear to us! For all of you we give thanks to God!
Psalm 95
O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord,
Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is a great God
And a great King above all gods,...
Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
