A simple ‘thank you’ is so terribly inadequate to express the gratitude that you as a LifeWay family extended to Patty and I this past Sunday — all day — but especially at the evening party you threw in our honor. We were truly overwhelmed. And as a major bonus to us, there was groups from all eras and relationships. We not only had our current LifeWay family in droves, but a great variety of loved friends from different eras and circumstances. In attendance were many former LifeWay people who had moved away (some as far as Chicago and Dallas); a man that was in our youth group in the late 1970’s from Waco, Texas; some of our former students who lived with us came; two amazing missionary families who came to make sure they celebrated with us; there were fellow friends in our city and region who are Gospel partners with us who came; and of course our own children and grandchildren. Sunday morning worship was deeply meaningful but the joy just continued throughout the day. After Sunday morning worship Patty and I hosted an “old-timers” simple luncheon at our house for the afternoon where about a dozen of the “1980’s” church members came to our home. Then the party was truly overwhelming with so many friends that we sadly we did not get a chance to greet all of them personally. But the party did not even end there. Several came to our house and we visited around the table until almost 11pm. It was a joyous day that we will never forget!
Your cards and letters and gracious words and actions are overwhelming to us. Let me try to keep this simple for now and just say from the bottom of our hearts — “Thank you and we love you deeply.”
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16
Billy and Patty Arnold
July 2, 2026