Retirement Weekend

Last month, all the Cashes headed to East Texas to celebrate Gangan's retirement (Nathan's grandfather)!  He'd been in the ministry for years and years, then retired 15 years ago, then took a part-time job at FBC Gresham as the Music Minister and retired for the last time in January.  He has been such a wonderful leader and friend to the congregation in Gresham and he and his wife (Mimi to us) will be truly missed there.  They have plans for lots of traveling now that they are retired, including visiting all the kids and grandkids in their respective cities as well as trips to Branson, MO.

To start off the weekend, we all met up at a Whataburger in Tyler since it was a pretty good central location for everyone.  It was fun having a little family reunion in Whatburger on a Friday night.  What was more fun, was that we busted out our singing in the Whataburger parking lot after dinner!  We practiced three songs that we were going to sing at the retirement party-- He Leadeth Me, Standing on the Solid Rock, and Just a Little Talk with Jesus.  Gotta love those Baptist minister families!!

Friday night, Sue Ellen and I stayed up till 2 AM chit chatting so Saturday we got a slow start.  We played 42, watched tv, talked, napped... It was perfect.  We headed over to the church that afternoon to practice our songs and get ready for the banquet.  FBC Gresham put on a beautiful retirement banquet for Mimi and Gangan-- there were tons of people there from many different stages in Gangan's life (even his Best Man from his wedding!!).

We had dinner and heard many speakers that boasted of Gangan's many great successes and his affect on so many lives.  It's always nice hearing other people talk highly of your family members!

This was the "grandchildren table"-- Me, Nathan, Jared, Hailey

Sarah, Jordan, Ryan, Kathryn

The church raised $6,000 for Mimi and Gangan as a love offering... So sweet of them!

That day was also their 56th wedding anniversary, so we had two things to celebrate!

Family pictures afterwards :)

After the banquet, we all met up at Whataburger again for dessert and to all be together (since half of us stayed in Hawkins and the other half in Tyler).  Sue Ellen, Nathan and I took a trip to Target afterwards...

Sunday morning, we attended Sunday School, taught by Randall, and then the service where Bryan preached, Paul prayed, and Gangan led the music.  It was very special to have the whole family involved (of course the whole Cash clan sang, too).

We finished up the celebrations at a Mexican restaurant after church and got to hang out with everyone at home before N and I had to leave that night.

It was so fun seeing everyone and celebrating such an accomplishment.  N and I love hanging out with his family and wish we could do it more often!  But we are planning a trip to ATL soon to see his parents which we are looking forward to!