Leaving (in more ways than one)
Well, this should be my final blog before we leave for our Alaska cruise on Friday. It's getting close and we're getting excited, so I guess it's time to start thinking about what I'm going to pack. I love going on vacation, but I hate getting ready (i.e. packing). We should get back in Tallahassee on the night of July 31st. Today was a golf day which automatically makes it a good day. However, it was very hot and humid. That will actually be my last round of golf for almost 3 weeks now.
Now, I do have some really sad news (at least for me and Lucy; I'm not how others feel :)). Our first Sunday back after our cruise (August 7th) will be the last week with our current 2nd grade Sunday School (the following week is "promotion" week for the children) and will be our last Sunday at NBC. We both really hate to leave Northwoods because we truly LOVE the people and all the great opportunities we have there. It has been a really tough decision, and one that has involved a lot of prayer. The staff has been great (Pastor John and Robbin both called me and talked to me about this and have done everything they can to help our situation). There are so many things that I will miss--working with the youth (which I just started); bike trips; Guatemala mission trips; all the wonderful friends that mean so much to me (of course, this move will not end friendships). I know I have grown more spiritually in the 3 years we've been at Northwoods than any other time of my life. All that said, Lucy and I will both continue to pray about this during our vacation.
I still look forward to attending Promise Keepers later in August with the great group of men from Northwoods. We don't know yet where we will end up going to church, but we will start visiting other churches after our trip. I want everyone to know that even after that, if you need anything please give me a call.
Miscellaneous Update
Hi everyone. It's been another week since I've written, but like before, there really hasn't been much going on. It's amazing that Tallahassee has basically dodged another hurricane. I know our friends that live in Wakulla County weren't as fortunate. We must live in the perfect spot since in the past two years it seems like this is the only part of the state that hasn't really experienced a hurricane. Speaking of storms, it looks like Emily is taking a very southern route and the forecasted to make landfall (in several days) in Mexico. Nothing against Mexico, but that will be much better than the panhandle of (or anywhere else) Florida.The mission team to Ukraine, led by Pastor Todd, left this afternoon. Of course, nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Their scheduled takeoff from Tallahassee was supposed to be about 2:40 pm (which was the final flight of the day from Tally to Atlanta). Well, that flight was cancelled and the team was rebooked on a 1:00 pm flight to Cincinatti. They really didn't have much warning of this change and were really scrambling at the last minute to make it to the airport on time. When I heard of this change (at noon) I hurried to the airport to see them off. When I got there about 12:30 everyone was there, except Tamara. Tamara got there about 10 minutes before takeoff. The bottom line is that they all made it (even Diane with all her concerns about her name on her ticket not matching that on her passport) and are on their way and seemed in good spirits. Please continue to pray for them as a team and individually (Tood, Diana, Jenna, Nicole and Tamara).Only 9 days left until Lucy and I leave on our vacation to Alaska. We are just praying that we have no more hurricanes/tropical storms in this area next week that could affect our flight out of Tally.Anyway, other than preparing for Dennis and cleaning up our yard afterwards, I really haven't been up to much. I was actually disappointed that Dennis caused the cancellation of ROC this past Sunday since I really was looking forward to the bowling. I just saw that today's scheduled Space Shuttle launch has been canceled due to some type of fuel sensor problem. That's too bad for Pastor Scott and his family who are done south expecting to watch the launch. Of course, we sure don't want NASA taking any chances just to get the program back in the air.
Miscellaneous Update
Hi everyone. It's been another week since I've written, but like before, there really hasn't been much going on. It's amazing that Tallahassee has basically dodged another hurricane. I know our friends that live in Wakulla County weren't as fortunate. We must live in the perfect spot since in the past two years it seems like this is the only part of the state that hasn't really experienced a hurricane. Speaking of storms, it looks like Emily is taking a very southern route and the forecasted to make landfall (in several days) in Mexico. Nothing against Mexico, but that will be much better than the panhandle of (or anywhere else) Florida.
The mission team to Ukraine, led by Pastor Todd, left this afternoon. Of course, nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Their scheduled takeoff from Tallahassee was supposed to be about 2:40 pm (which was the final flight of the day from Tally to Atlanta). Well, that flight was cancelled and the team was rebooked on a 1:00 pm flight to Cincinatti. They really didn't have much warning of this change and were really scrambling at the last minute to make it to the airport on time. When I heard of this change (at noon) I hurried to the airport to see them off. When I got there about 12:30 everyone was there, except Tamara. Tamara got there about 10 minutes before takeoff. The bottom line is that they all made it (even Diane with all her concerns about her name on her ticket not matching that on her passport) and are on their way and seemed in good spirits. Please continue to pray for them as a team and individually (Tood, Diana, Jenna, Nicole and Tamara).
Only 9 days left until Lucy and I leave on our vacation to Alaska. We are just praying that we have no more hurricanes/tropical storms in this area next week that could affect our flight out of Tally.
Anyway, other than preparing for Dennis and cleaning up our yard afterwards, I really haven't been up to much. I was actually disappointed that Dennis caused the cancellation of ROC this past Sunday since I really was looking forward to the bowling.
I just saw that today's scheduled Space Shuttle launch has been canceled due to some type of fuel sensor problem. That's too bad for Pastor Scott and his family who are done south expecting to watch the launch. Of course, we sure don't want NASA taking any chances just to get the program back in the air.
Summertime and Blogging
WARNING: After having finished this, I find I've rambled on quite a bit and this is LOOOONG!
I'm not sure what it is about summertime--the heat, too much going on, nothing going on, etc--but it definitely is not a time for a lot of blogging. On Sunday evening at ROC I subtly (not really) mentioned to Jenna that she had blogged in several days, but who am I to talk since it's been over a week since my last blog.
I'm sure it's a combination of all the things I mentioned above. For me, it's not that I'm doing any more or any less, it's just that I don't feel like sitting down and typing. That said, let's see what I've got to say.
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July and those who attended the festivities at NBC had a great time. I was truly impressed on Monday morning at the amount of help that showed up to set up. On Sunday, Pastor John mentioned that they needed 10-12 men @ 8:00 am to help with some setup. My surprise wasn't due to the fact that there aren't a great many in our church that give a lot of their time to the church, but this was 8:00 am on a holiday! Most sane people as sleeping at that time.
Myself, I didn't get the chance to attend the event that evening. After a few hours of setup that morning, I went back home to do some more yard work and spreading the second load of topsoil (which we finally finished today). After a total of about 8 hours out in the sun (ok, there were lots of clouds and some rain also) we were totally beat and just didn't have the energy to go out. My biggest regret was that Calyn's parents had asked me if I was going to video the festivities, and if so, could I make a copy for the team going to Kiev next week to take to Calyn and Lori since they have now missed both 4th of July celebrations at NBC because of their mission work in Kiev. Although I hadn't planned originally planned on taking video, I would have loved to do this. At least, I didn't make any commitments. Sorry about that Calyn and Lori. Also, while out at the church that morning setting up, I finally got to meet Ms. Debbie.
Reading some of the other blogs concerning the celebration, I guess if Lucy and I had attended there would have been a couple less soft drinks leftover. Since I wasn't there I don't know how many they have left, but I did read that they expected about 8,000 people and only got around 4,000.
Just a little over 2 weeks before we leave for our Alaska cruise. These tropical storms that are developing started me thinking that if we happen to get a tropical storm/hurricane at the time we need to fly out of Tallahasse, we will miss our ship. At least these latest two storms will be long gone by then and since it is extremely rare for this many storms this early in the season, we are praying that there won't be any more before our trip.
I enjoyed ROC last Sunday as usual, but was a little concerned when I got there and found out that Diane wasn't going to make it. I had talked to her a couple of weeks ago about learning to work the booth (audio/video/lights/computer) since she would be in Kiev later in the month. The next week she gave me some training, but I hadn't learned it all. The bottom line is that between Todd and I we made it through without any injuries. This Sunday, ROC will be held on the campus of FSU (in the Student Union area) and then we'll all bowl at Crenshaw Lanes there.
I'm looking forward to this with mixed emotions. For almost 40 years, bowling was one of my great passions and I bowled 4-5 nights a week. However, due to my job and the places we were stationed, I haven't touched a bowling ball since 1997 -- over 8 years. I know we are going to be doing this for the fun and fellowship, but this is where that old "pride" thing comes into play. I know what I'm capable of (or at least used to be) and am worried that I can't do it anymore. Now, I know that is silly, but it's the way I am.
Thinking about bowling also got me thinking about how much it used to consume my life. Since Lucy didn't bowl with me, it took me away several nights a week--not only from her but from our son. It was fun and they didn't complain (although I'm sure they weren't happy about it), but when I stopped bowling I realized how much more time I had for her. I think that is true about many things in our lives. We can overdo them and that takes us away from other things that are just as important or even more important. That can apply to anything--sports, church related activities, work. It might sound like blasphemy to say that we can devote too much time to church-related activities, but remember, God also has commanded us to take care of our families and loved ones. Again, sometimes I find myself so wrapped up in "being involved" that I neglect Lucy. It's easy to rationalize that "I'm doing good things." However, that isn't the point. I'm not trying to say I do a lot, because there are many people more involved and who do much more. Also, I truly enjoy those things I am involved in, so it might even be a bit selfish. I just need to be smarter and more aware of others (especially my wife).
Wow, for not having anything to say, this is getting to the point that it will need to be divided into chapters. Anyway, we need to remember all those from our church who are in the mission field now and are preparing to go. Let's keep them in our prayers daily.
