We're Grandparents!!

Not long after we had set our time for traveling to Zambia (September 21) we learned that we were to become grandparents for the first time a few weeks after our departure.  Our son Tim and Jess were expecting on October 24.  While we were prepared to stay with our original commitments, we immediately began explorations to see if it might be possible to delay the start of our service in Zambia. Through the generosity of Marian Buckwalter, who has been serving in the roles that we'll be assuming, we were able to move our start date to November 3 thus, hopefully, giving us the opportunity to be here at least for the arrival of the baby and have a few days to get acquainted before we leave.

On Sunday afternoon, October 10, we had just returned from a weekend visit to the Hollowell BIC church when the phone rang.  It was Tim and his first words were "Hi Grandpa!"  What a surprise since we weren't  expecting this news quite this soon.  Jess and baby Kyden were both doing well and we're all rejoicing in his safe arrival - well ahead of time.

Monday afternoon we were blessed to be with Tim, Jess and Kyden at the West Chester hospital, along with our daughter Sara.  We all had a great time holding and welcoming the newborn into our family.

Grandpa and Grandma

Aunt Sara and Grandma

Happy Parents

We're quite excited about beginning this new phase of life but it will be with some sense of reluctance that we leave for Zambia so soon.  Nevertheless, we're getting a lot of quality face time with them during our final days in the states.
 
See More of Kyden