Skip to content ↓

A Summertime Family Update (And Guess Who’s Going To Be a Grandfather!)

Albania

It has been quite a while since I provided a family update, and this seemed like just the time. I guess the leading news here is that Lord willing, I will soon be a grandfather! More on that in a moment.

We have just enjoyed a nice family vacation together. It was a sweet and relaxing time. In some ways, it felt like an especially well-earned vacation since the kids have just finished up school (some forever and some for the year) and Aileen and I have been working hard at home and away. The Lord is kind to give us times of rest.

As soon as the vacation drew to a close, I headed to Albania to speak at a conference here. Beginning today and continuing through the weekend, Alistair Begg and I will be speaking together about the centrality of the local church and the kingdom of God. This is my first time in Albania and I am enjoying getting to know the believers here. This brings my spring conference season to an end, but along the way, I spoke at events in New Jersey, Alberta, British Columbia, and Texas, plus a few locations closer to home. I have a couple of other brief trips coming up to record material with Paul Tripp and GriefShare. More on that in a future update.

Aileen continues to work part-time for our neighbor who is in real estate. Her boss gives her lots of flexibility which allows her to join me on some of my speaking trips—something we both enjoy. In a few days, she will head down to Louisville to help Abby and Nate pack up their little apartment.

Speaking of which, Abby and Nate both graduated from Boyce College (in Louisville) in early May, Abby with a degree in Biblical Counseling and Nate with a degree in Business. With their education complete, they are moving to Canada (which for Abby is moving home and for Nate is immigrating). They have secured an apartment near us and Nate has secured a job. Most exciting of all, they are expecting a baby in November! This is very happy news and Aileen and I are thrilled to begin the grandparenting stage. Abby has just gotten through her first trimester so it’s still early days. But so far, apart from the inevitable morning sickness, she is doing well.

Michaela began college at what was essentially a year ahead of schedule but thrived there relationally, spiritually, and educationally. She just completed her freshman year at Boyce College as she also works toward a degree in Biblical Counseling. She is home for the summer and is splitting her time between two administrative jobs. She recently turned 18 which means that all of our children are now adults. That seems significant!

Ryn (Nick’s fiancée) continues to be part of our family and we were glad that she could vacation with us. She still lives in Louisville and has begun work at a mental health and addiction facility—a new job and one she is enjoying.

As for me, I continue to press on with various writing projects. Last year Tim Keesee and I traveled far and wide for our Worship Round the World project and this year we are writing the book and putting together the documentary. That will all be complete by the end of the year and set for release in September 2025. I also have a book called Pilgrim Prayers releasing later this year and Eric’s Greatest Race, a graphic novel on the life of Eric Liddell, releasing next spring. So there is always lots in the works!

In the meantime, I need to turn my attention to this conference and the people here who are eager to hear the Word. Thanks for reading!


  • Free Stuff Fridays (TGBC)

    This weeks Free Stuff Friday is sponsored by The Good Book Company. They are giving away a bundle of their best-selling Good Book Guides that are designed to guide your head and your heart through God’s word. Each Good Book Guide includes a concise leader’s guide in the back.  The Bundle includes: Giveaway Rules: You…

  • A Light on the Hill

    A Light on the Hill

    In early 2020, CHBC, along with almost every other church in the world, was forced to contend with the opening days of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time Caleb Morell was working as Pastor Mark Dever’s personal assistant. Dever tasked him with finding out how the church had responded to the Spanish flu epidemic a…

  • A La Carte Friday 2

    A La Carte (April 18)

    A La Carte: John Piper on being a loner / Snapchat is harming children / The most radical thing / How not to be secular / Three commentary mistakes / Jesus, your sorrow-bearer / and more.

  • A La Carte Thursday 1

    A La Carte (April 17)

    A La Carte: The vibe shift / The Jurassic Park principle of Christian freedom / This is what power looks like / Don’t stay in the puddles / The awkwardness of Easter / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Airliner

    They Won’t Because They Can’t

    If you’ve flown recently, you have probably made the same observation I have: No one pays attention to the pre-flight safety videos. There may be the occasional uptick in interest after a well-publicized crash or near-disaster, but soon old habits return—people stuff their AirPods into their ears and stare at their phones rather than watch…

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (April 16)

    A La Carte: Joy and weeping / Sullivan’s kidnapping / The sin of Sodom / John Piper’s retirement plan / Eagles, fowl, and a Savior with wings / Kindle and book deals / and more.