Moments

Reading Jason’s blog got me to thinking, “How many blogs have I written?”  The answer is around 142 or something.  Not really memorable.  The question I want to get at is how many people are reading my blog.

I appreciate both of you.  Seriously, there is even a graph that lets you know your big days and low days.  Mine looks like a Richter scale measuring a huge earthquake.  (For one of you two readers, my graph goes up and down like a child on a pogo stick.)  I can’t find a rhyme or reason for following other than saying, “Hi mom.”  Even my wife only reads this occasionally.

I found myself trying to teach Izzy to read by point at the letters on my blog site.  I’m hoping to move my readership up to three.  Maybe I could just go to a couple of libraries and log on and leave comments with anonymous names like, faithful fan, or regular reader, or Sue.

Maybe more pictures would help.

I know it is a cheap way to get people to visit, but it works.  Who couldn’t love that picture?

So, to my faithful readers, thanks and I will see you when I get home.

Splish Splash I was taking a bath…  What a crazy weekend.  Here are just a few of the special moments:

• Saturday was fairly uneventful, for the most part.  Oddly enough, we noticed a little puddle in the back of the church.  Jim hurriedly mopped it up and that was that.
• Sunday morning rolled around.  I get there early as always to pray through the sanctuary and offer the day to God.  As I am walking through, I heard a splashing sound and my feet began to feel damp.  Hum, what could it be?  Yes, the sanctuary was flooded.  Not just a little wet, flooded.  So I hurried and called Mike Z.  Then I got the shop vac and called Susan W, Susan S and Susan B. (not Anthony – the other Susan B).  They got into action as well.
• The decision was made to hold 8:45 worship in the gym (a.k.a Celebration).  While some cleaned up the sanctuary, the rest of us set up Celebration for worship.  It went really well.  Everyone contributed and worked together.  It went off without a hitch thanks to God’s people.  It was actually a fun worship time despite the inconvenience.
• The crew got the sanctuary ready for 11:15 and we were able to worship back there.  It was a great blessing.
• I am so grateful for the family of God at First Trinity.
• The work camp crew came home at 6:30.  Not only has the church been put back together, but so has the family.
• God is good.

Last week was crazy!  There was all kinds of activity and people running around.  We had over 190 kids in Vacation Bible School.  There were meetings.  Youth were getting ready for work camp.  Excitement filled the air.

This week is just the opposite.  It couldn’t be more quiet.  The stage is down.  Kids are back in their routines.  The youth are gone.  Most of the staff are gone on vacation or conferences or work camp.

Even our home is empty.  Jon and Abby are at work camp.  There are no kids at home.  Susan and I have enjoyed our time together without having to run the kids here and there.  But it will be great to have them home.

While I am getting a lot done this week, I miss the excitement of Vacation Bible School.   To help, every hour or so Kathy runs up and down the hall outside my office, screaming and talking like Skeeter.  Now if I could just get her to make me one of those cool snacks we had at V.B.S.

What a great week.  V.B.S. was awesome!  Here are just a few of the special moments from the weekend:

• We had a fun closing on Friday for our V.B.S. program.  Many parents came out to see the kids sing and the video.  We had our biggest attendance ever – over 190!
• Saturday we sent our work camp volunteers off on Saturday.  I am so proud of them.  They have gone to Tennessee to witness of our Lord Jesus through word and deed.
• Sunday was a worshipful time as always.  It was great to have family in town.
• Bible class was on discipline according to the book of Proverbs.
• My wife and I have a whole week alone.  What will we do?

This has been a very busy week.  Lots of planning and preparing for this week.  But worship was wonderful.  Here are some of the highlights:

• The stage is up for V.B.S.  so that always makes worship a little interesting.
• Saturday was pretty uneventful.  Just a great time of worship as always.
• Sunday morning early service was funny.  First of all the sound system wasn’t working.  They finally got it going for Sue.  (What’s up with that?).
• Then I started going and realized the screen was still up and the slides weren’t playing.  I was dying.  It was a good thing that was my sermon topic.  Finally Wendy ran up and started running it.  Thank you.
• Bible class was fun.  We looked at some funny stuff in the book of Proverbs and then some serious stuff.  Great insights by the group as always.
• Then at the late service we commission our V.B.S. staff and our work-camp missionaries.  That is always a fun time.  The stage only made it interesting.
• The we sent Ian off to serve God’s kingdom in Saginaw.  He will be missed.
• Then John came with the dock for V.B.S., only his truck’s gate fell off on the blvd and the dock fell out.  I am only sorry I wasn’t there to see it.  It is a John story.  I laughed (with him – not at him.)
• Then a party for Abigail.  How many does she get?!
• Not to physic myself up for V.B.S.  I can’t wait.

As expected, attendance was light, especially Saturday.  Still, it was a great time of worship.  Here are just some of the highlights:

• Celebrated Abby’s birthday.  What a precious gift she is.
• Watched the fireworks at UB.  Always a great display.  I love this country.
• Saturday was quiet so I got a lot of stuff done.
• Tony help with Communion.  He did a great job.  I am thankful for him.
• Sunday we had a Camp Pioneer group led by the joy-filled Leah.
• It was fun to watch Paris so excited to see Micah.
• Fun to see some families who had moved away.
• Bible class on Proverbs was great.  I love the questions and discussions.
• Enjoyed a nice lunch outside with the family and then some games.

Today is a big day for Sue.  Not a lot of people can say they have served in the same church for 25 years!  That is very impressive.  So here are 25 things I love about Sue:

1. She loves the Lord.
2. She loves the word of God.
3. She loves the church of God, especially First Trinity.
4. She has a great sense of humor.  Of course, that is a necessity around this place.
5. She is a phenomenal process person, which is important to have at least one person on staff like that.
6. She is competitive.  Of course, the way she plays cards, well never mind.
7. She genuinely loves the staff she works with, especially the lead pastor.
8. She is a great faith coach.
9. She feels guilty when she picks on me – as well she should.
10. She loves my whole family.
11. She prays for Wisken and Lovelie.
12. It was great to watch her grow during our Israel trip.
13. She has a contagious faith.
14. She is a great friend.
15. She has awesome ideas.
16. I love her children’s messages.
17. She is a great Bible teacher.
18. She is a wonderful encourager.
19. She has the respect of the whole Synod – which means I can drop her name in groups and it just makes me seem better than I am.
20. She makes me better than I am.
21. It is fun to watch her get excited about something.  She can’t contain her joy, which is fun.  She let’s her emotions show, which is a nice quality.
22. I can talk to her and she will always be truthful.
23. She loves the children, and especially her God-children.
24. She reads a lot, which means she can recommend good books.  Of course, sometimes she reads those silly chick-books.
25. She is my eternal friend.

Sue, thanks for all you do.  You show us Christ in so many ways.  Sure, maybe not in the way you play (gun for me undeservedly) at cards, but in so many other ways.  You’re the best.