WOW...I have spent the better part of two hours scanning previous posts. Then, I begin the process for a post tonight and realize that it has been over a month since I posted. I knew it had been days and even weeks. However, I did not really realize just how long it had been. I suppose the move and the emotions surrounding the resignation, etc. took a greater toll on me than I like to admit. What can I say? Those of you who have faithfully followed the blogs, even visiting on days that I did not post, know too well that the whole past three months or so have been packed with emotion. The mere blog posts alone were an emotional journey for me as I gave an account of our lives through the years, carrying you through the highs and lows of our lives and putting it into words was at very least a challenge. I must admit, we have had a few comments on the posts and several private messages sent via the guestbook. However, the regular visits to the website and the unique visits to the site are incredibly humbling. I have shared my heart in these posts and would desire to continue to do just that. However, I have been silent for several weeks for many reasons. As stated, the move took a lot out of me physically and mentally, as I continued to work, as did Chas during the move. Secondly, I have needed this time to reflect, refresh and begin to heal in some respects. Thank you for your patience with me through all of this.
I have a LOT to catch up on. Of course, there was Thunder Beach three weeks ago. We had the awesome opportunity to spend Friday to Sunday there. We passed out a ton of business cards and met a lot of people. Some of them have pics in the Thunder Beach Album on our pics page. Also, some of them added us as facebook friends and are also following us on the website. It was truly a much-needed weekend away and it was packed with opportunities to plant seeds, water seeds, cultivate, weed, etc. Did we reap a harvest? No, but we are not promised the harvest is ours to reap. We are simply asked to do our part.
*As a side bar for Thunder Beach, if you are on Panama City Beach and want a great deal on t-shirts, go visit Chris and the gang at U.S.A. or Beach Memories on Front Beach Road. They are the greatest. We have been doing business with Chris for a couple of years.
In other events since the last post, we have discontinued weekly Bible study at the Bates' house, but still have a little SOA viewing party every Tuesday night at our house. Instead of weekly Bible study at the Bates', we, along with the Bates, have plugged into a local church. We have all made Campground Baptist Church our new church home. We have resumed monthly LAHBW meetings and are hopeful to have a rolling Bible study in the very near future.
I must admit, it is odd and refreshing that for the first time in many years, we go to Sunday School and Worship Service and are simply able to sit as members of a discussion and a worship without having the weight of the world on our shoulders. Maybe some will understand this and others will not. All I can say is that for once, I am not worried about whose toes were stepped on, who might have heartburn with what someone in my family said or did. I am incredibly glad that we are no longer in a position that lends some people to feels as if my family are their puppets. You might think that is harsh, but harsh is what happens to ministry families when the big mamas & big daddys at churches don't get their way.....when their way and desires are more important to them than God's Word and His desires.
It is good to be back in blogging mode. I hope to see you all back here tomorrow night. Until then, ride safely and seek first Him and His Kingdom....
I have a LOT to catch up on. Of course, there was Thunder Beach three weeks ago. We had the awesome opportunity to spend Friday to Sunday there. We passed out a ton of business cards and met a lot of people. Some of them have pics in the Thunder Beach Album on our pics page. Also, some of them added us as facebook friends and are also following us on the website. It was truly a much-needed weekend away and it was packed with opportunities to plant seeds, water seeds, cultivate, weed, etc. Did we reap a harvest? No, but we are not promised the harvest is ours to reap. We are simply asked to do our part.
*As a side bar for Thunder Beach, if you are on Panama City Beach and want a great deal on t-shirts, go visit Chris and the gang at U.S.A. or Beach Memories on Front Beach Road. They are the greatest. We have been doing business with Chris for a couple of years.
In other events since the last post, we have discontinued weekly Bible study at the Bates' house, but still have a little SOA viewing party every Tuesday night at our house. Instead of weekly Bible study at the Bates', we, along with the Bates, have plugged into a local church. We have all made Campground Baptist Church our new church home. We have resumed monthly LAHBW meetings and are hopeful to have a rolling Bible study in the very near future.
I must admit, it is odd and refreshing that for the first time in many years, we go to Sunday School and Worship Service and are simply able to sit as members of a discussion and a worship without having the weight of the world on our shoulders. Maybe some will understand this and others will not. All I can say is that for once, I am not worried about whose toes were stepped on, who might have heartburn with what someone in my family said or did. I am incredibly glad that we are no longer in a position that lends some people to feels as if my family are their puppets. You might think that is harsh, but harsh is what happens to ministry families when the big mamas & big daddys at churches don't get their way.....when their way and desires are more important to them than God's Word and His desires.
It is good to be back in blogging mode. I hope to see you all back here tomorrow night. Until then, ride safely and seek first Him and His Kingdom....