A Soothing Saturday

Saturday was great. Because some kids from campus had some service work hours, we were able to put them to work here at our cottage pulling grass and weeds from some of our beds. It was neat because one of the girls use to be in our cottage so she was joking around at first but TC put her to work and she didn't like that. Anyway, it was much needed work around here. We were able to trim trees, weed eat and spray round up so I feel caught up for now. TC and I enjoyed an time of shopping in the afternoon and dinner out and then we came back and watched the movie, "Have you heard about the Morgans". A funny movie with Sam Elliot. Today we are going to church with Christie and David here in Spruce Pine and then perhaps some hiking or getting our feet wet.

Happy Birthday Momma

Today is my Mother's birthday. I have the best Mom a boy could have

I passed

Went to Burnsville today and passed my road test for my Motorcycle endorsement. I was so glad to get that over with. I was gonna use a buddy's smaller bike but it would not start so I took the big goldwing and passed. It was hard cause those little cones sure was close. I am so glad that is over. Heading down to Waco tomorrow to see Mom for her birthday.

Test Time

A nice productive day yesterday. This morning TC is having to go to Charlotte with one of the girls to the MDA office downtown. I on the other hand will be attempting to take the driving test for my motorcycle license. I understand it is all about making slow turns which is no easy on a 1200 Gold wing that weighs around 900 pounds, so I am borrowing a buddy's smaller bike. I hope I can pass it the first time. After that I will be cutting the grass at the associational office and then heading home to do yard work here. Friday I have to work in the office all day because my secretary took that day off. It will be a good day for school work.

Sunshine

Grass cutting, Goldwing riding, and newsletter writing took most of yesterday. Turned out to be a very nice day. Back in the office today!

Associational Singing

These are pics from our associational singing at Oak Grove Church last night. Sons of the Savior was our special guest and the choir from First Baptist really did a great job. It was a very exciting time as around 160 people came out to enjoy the singing. According to one pastor this was the highest attended event in some time. God is good. Sons of the Savior

First Baptist Choir

That's Pastor Ron Greene welcoming everyone.

What we don't see in the picture is the fact that we had to bring out chairs and place in the isle.

NC Baptist Men Training

Attending the Baptist Men Disaster Relief training for NC Baptist Men I snapped these pictures. Below is the power unit that pulls the tool rig. A Tool trl that use to haul Kyle Petty's race car. It is so organized and nice.

Thhis is where the the food is prepared. By the way the food was great.

This is another trl that use to be used for racing. This is the command post.

One of several shower units.

Wide Open

After arriving home Thursday from the beach we were wore out and getting sick. Friday morning I felt so bad but I had to get ready and pack for an overnight training in Western NC. I went to the NC Baptist Men Disaster Relief Chaplaincy training. That lasted until Saturday afternoon. I came home and took a nap and then TC and i went to our first Carolina Faith Riders meeting. That went great so TC and I hit the steak house and then home for bed. This morning I am sharpening my thoughts on a sermon for First Baptist Crossnore. We also have our associational singing tonight at Oak Grove. Busy times, but good times. I am taking Monday off, I think.

Beach # 3

The Group

Me and TC at Broadway at the beach
Me and Eddie Huffman, Look who we ran into

Yip, Eddie, Mandy, Brenda and of course Matt's daughter.

Beach # 2

Day 2 and lots more fun around the resort.

Beach #1

Here are a few beach pics so far. Crystal, our graduate wanted a beach trip so we were all for that. We left Monday morning and we are staying through Thursday. I will post more pics later.

A Full Friday

Yesterday showed me how important some time away is for us. We took the wagon down to Mom and Dad's house where we had the camper stored. Just getting away from the house and spending time with TC was much needed. We had a good day and even went out of the way to eat at Fallston Stop and Shop.(Good food). So, today will be another busy one as I have appointments to get new front tires on RV, wash it and also work in the office some today and tonight I have a meeting with a pulpit committee at 6:00 PM. Looks lie Friday will be Full.

Preparing and Partying

The days continue to be at a pace that I think is too fast. It just seems we can hardly get our stuff done before the day runs out. I have been trying to get a grasp on it but it has eluded us so far. I can see Tc's health fading a bit, which is the first sign you look for in this ministry. There is just something all the time. Anyway, we are running down to Waco to retrieve the RV and prep it for next week's cottage camping trip to Myrtle Beach. We are doing this for our girl that is graduating from college and decided to take the rest of our kids, except one. We are also throwing her a big cook out Saturday for her family and friends. There is much to do to prepare so off we must go!

Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good

This was mine and TC's song while we were dating. We would sit and listen to this album from Don Williams over and over. In fact I still have it. Great song with some great pics and artwork.

Mothers Day Meal

We had a great time with Mom and Dad yesterday and Chad too. We went out to the Mayflower Seafood Restaurant in Shelby and rally enjoyed some good seafood. I am a blessed man to have such a good Mother and even blessed still that TC has been such a good Mom to our kids and many other kids over these last few years. Heck, I'm just blessed! We did this on Saturday so TC can be with Christie today. Her and David are on shift here at Crossnore so it's hard to fit it all in, but we succeeded. Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms.

Request for Prayer

There are two things that have happened recently that I am very excited about, actually four. One and Two come from how the association is leading the charge to start two new ministries, a pregnancy center and a bikers ministry. Third and fourth come from me being asked to serve on the Board of Directors for two ministries, Veterans Outreach Ministry and High Country Prison Ministry. In consideration is an non traditional way to reach people at a local coffee house. Exciting times indeed. I have chaplaincy training through disaster relief of the baptist Men and many other exciting things. THE PROBLEM....My wife is being wore down a little more each day. I can see it effecting her health, so therefore I have requested a meeting with our supervisor. Some changes will be made, either by them or by us. We have been here for four months and it is a constant stressful situation with very few breaks. I will of course update you when I can but for now please pray that TC will relax and deal with these things while we wait on the Lord.

Baptist Men

So, last minute I was invited to fill in at First Baptist Crossnore during their Family Mission Night. I was asked to speak to the Baptist Men. Wow, what a group. Young and old, there were about 25 of them, including the Sheriff. Sheriff Frye was just re-elected with a landslide. He is such a great guy and committed to Christ. Anyway, I had a great time with these guys and I think I signed up another for Carolina Faith Riders, our first meeting is coming up on the 22nd of May. Last night I mostly talked about the association but then we just hung out and talked for over an hour. These men put their faith in action by doing missions.

So, today it's office hours, cut the grass at Faith House and head to Anderson SC tonight so I can finish my denture work in the morning. 47 and talking about dentures, Dang.

Filling the Food pod for Childrens home

The goldwing is in the shop, the blazer is in the shop and the pick up had to have the A/C recharged and the RV still needs new front tires. I have too many autos but one thing I don't have and that is a payment. Loving that! Busy day today, mostly working on the pregnancy center and delivering donated food from the association to a drop off point. In the office tomorrow.

TV Preacher

Monday morning and it starts again. I have tried not to schedule too much this week but it just sort of happens. It's not too bad though. We have one POC meeting this week, and I have one pastor's luncheon. TC and I should get to hang out more this week. One day this week I will be heading back to Anderson SC to finish my dental work and the RV still needs some work.

I enjoyed preaching at Chestnut Dale yesterday. It's a very small church but very robust as well. It reminds me of churches when i was young. Folks made no plans, they would just say whoever wants to sing one. Good voices but no planning. Hard on my system. It was good though. David and Christie stopped by last night for supper on their way to Crossnore. It was so good to see them and spend some time.

Ruth, BTW I do not know of any of our churches that video tape but I will look into that and if I figure it out I will send you a copy. That way I can say that I was on TV in Minnesota.

Operation Inasmuch

The Avery Association at Operation Inasmuch up on beech Mountain. We had a great time working together. we cleared brush and downed trees around the property.

Camping and Cleaning

I just made the reservations for Lakewood campground at Myrtle Beach for our cottage camping trip on May 17th. I can't wait because we are going to have a good time. six 18-20 year olds at the beach. At least this time we don't have to pack their bags like we did the little ones. It's gonna be a blast.

Heading out this morning to Beech Mountain to do a Operation Inasmuch project. We have four churches participating. Today will be good I just know it. We are doing a bunch of clearing and cleaning at the Beech mountain bible conference.