Remember the Mercy Beards?

So do you remember the "Mercy Beard" Campaign from last Fall?  Cody asked other guys to join him in growing beards until Mercy and I got home.  Many men joined in the fun and sported their facial hair, but then it took forever for Mercy and I to get home.  When we thought we were coming home in December, many guys shaved.  Cody shaved when I came home for Christmas because he knows how much I hate rubbing against the scruff.  He knew if he wanted kisses he needed to shave. ;)  He started growing it out again when I returned to Uganda in January, and kept it until his trip to visit us in March.  After that he just gave up on it and decided it was too painful of a reminder of how long all of this was taking. 

But there are three amazing guys (let me know if I've missed someone) who kept their Mercy beards from October until we returned home on July 16th.  Wow, that is some major dedication.  Now they did trim it up so they wouldn't be accused of being mountain men or draw the notice of the police. 

I also want to give a big shout out to their wives and children.  I think the wives were more excited than their husbands to shave, with their children coming in a close second. 

Thank you so much guys for your dedication and love and support of our family, for sharing our story, and for rocking that facial hair so long.  YOU WIN!

Meet....

Sam Dial, one of our amazing church members (also pictured his two cute daughters Madalyn and Morgan)

Our dear friend and Youth Pastor, Asa Ramirez.  His sweet wife even let him keep the beard for the birth of their new baby girl. 



Randy Sisk who was with me on the trip when I first met Mercy.  He and his family have been a big encouragement to us!

 When you see these guys make sure and give them some props!