Baby, What A Big Surprise

Peggy was wondering why I didn't blog yesterday in light of our surprise visit Sunday afternoon-Monday morning from our long-lest eldest child. Yes, Elliott made our weekend by dropping in to watch some football & baseball (sorry Ed, he was happy about the results of the longest game in MLB plyaoff history) and do some laundry. It is the first time this semester that Elliott has been able to come home. Between his extremely busy school schedule and his new ministry with Mid-Lakes Christian Church, we truly don't expect him to be back in Vero Beach until Thanksgiving. It was such a great surprise! Things are going very well for him with his new ministry, and we enjoy getting the church newsletter so much. This is a church on the move for Jesus, and has a leadership with a vision for moving ahead to the next level of excellence in the name of the Lord.

Elliott and I talked a good part of Monday morning about church-related stuff both Mid-Lakes and VCC, and it was so good to be able to do that with him. In fact, when Elliott pulled out of the driveway to head back to Kissimmee, he said, "I'll call you and we can talk some more." I had barely gotten back in the house when my cellphone rang...it was Elliott. We talked for another hour before I finally told him that I needed to get in the shower and actually go to work! How cool!

Reaching back into the memory banks going to Saturday, the memorial service for Tom Lockwood was a true celebration. Tom's passing is a great loss for our church family, and a great gain for heaven. The packed sanctuary, and overflow crowd into the welcome center was testiment to his impact on lives. I cannot thank Lou Ann and Sue enough for allowing me to play a small role in that service. Without a doubt, that is the best example of how we who do not mourn without hope could express our loss while celebrating Tom's gain. Getting to take Lauren out for some teen stuff afterwards (we were gonna play some football, but didn't have enough to play, so we went to watch some Rec League Football instead), was a privilege in ministry that I was so thankful to be able to do, too!

Continue to remember Danny Dye and his family at the passing of Danny's Mom, Dorothy. Her visitation was Saturday night and funeral on Sunday in Ripley, Ohio. I know this has been one of the most difficult season's of Danny's life, and I pray for the peace of our Lord Jesus to shower upon him, upon Pat and upon Dana. I love them so much, and hurt for them so dearly. Danny called me using the Google Talk feature on his laptop while in the Columbus, OH, airport yesterday to thank Peggy and me for the flowers we sent for his Mom's funeral. That truly touched me, that he would call from the airport to express his thanks...well, it shows the depth of his character.

Then skipping back ahead to last night: our first Elders/Deacons meeting with the new crew went very well. I look forward to Steve Huntsberger's leading of these sessions. The highlights inclulde the approval of audio/visual equipment needed for the move to temporary facilities (and beyond). YAY, Dan! Of course the night was topped off by the California Angels eliminating the Evil Empire from the American League Division Series, thus making it easier to sleep (as the Ambien fought off the prednisone and won).

This morning, we have a staff meeting with Steve Huntsberger to start putting together the moving plan for the office as well as other administrative issues to be worked out. I have a follow up doc's visit from my poison ivy bout (I am much better today thank you very much), and then it is serious study time today.

I am listening to the Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And the Wardrobe soundtrack, and I must say IT ROCKS! Hope you have a great day, and hope you will post a comment. Five music trivia points...no make that 5,000 music trivia points (the points are made up and don't matter anyway) to the first person to identify the lead singer of the title song for this post.