I feel like Tom Cruise in that movie where he’s running with that little white flag to claim his land…what movie was that? We’re in…it’s pretty rad! Boxes galore, last day of fast-food and starbucks…made the quickie run to Trader Joes…kids love the new place. My bride is jazzed and we’re praising God for our new home. Guess what I’m finishing up for the morning???
We have picked up and have left Sac town…we will miss you Sacto. The biggest thing I will miss about you Sacto is your weather. We’ll also miss some of our friends. These past few days have been a joy because our kids have been blessed by some amazing people at their schools and will be missed by many which makes me happy and I’m thankful to God for the buddies our kids have made these last 3 1/2 years. After several trips to Goodwill and some much needed de-junking we’re resting for the night in Bakersfield. I’m off to finish my sermon and to prepare for Christmas Eve. Zechariah in the morning and…a lessons and carols service. Thanks to Steve, Scotty, and Scott for helping us pack. There was one fellow that showed up out of no where with a huge truck this morning. He took two loads for us to the dump. Thanks Todd or whoever you were, you indeed were a blessing. I wish I could have had more time to say goodbyes, but as you know life happens. As for church now we’re anxious and I can’t wait to see what the Lord will be doing in my first pastorate. p.s. Best Westerns have Free Wi-Fi!
Can’t I just use this image for my sermon this Sunday?
Nativity, by He Qi, China
I can’t wait for when the whole family will be in place down here. I miss them tremendously. Will be home soon. Two more weeks until escrow closes here in Palmdale. I’m actually finishing up a bagel and mocha at Panaera taking advantage of the free wifi. We loved the Panera in Princeton. Come on Starbucks! Get with it. Worship starts soon and I’m looking forward to the drama presentation that folks have put together to lead our church in reflecting on the third Sunday of Advent and in preparing for the birth of our Lord. All has gone well these last few weeks and I can’t wait to be done with the move. My first congregational meeting is today to elect new leaders for our church. Thanks to Steve for letting me call him to get some pointers on running a congregational meeting.
Today me and the dentist had a visit. Had a tooth pulled. Silly little tooth that was a left over childhood cavity. 800 milligrams of Motrin and some soup is doing me well. Did I tell you how much I love the dentist? Starting to prep for the big move. AGHHH!
Crusing some blogs. Came upon this. Can’t be good for the church.
I’m having lots of fun these last few weeks as I’ve started my new call as a pastor. I had to laugh this Sunday because of some computer issues with folks who are faithful at serving in getting things ready, we were printing bulletins and copying them at the same time an hour before the service. Of course with the help of a couple of folks while I was getting ready for church it all came together. It will be nice to get into a regular routine of being in the office to get the essentials done during the week, so that I can be available to folks, especially prior to service starting. This week we are doing a Christmas drama and it will be nice not to have to pump out a sermon while traveling. God is good and I can’t wait to have my family and I totally moved down to Palmdale. Christmas will be a bit interesting with escrow closing the 29th, but it’s all good! I will have lots more to blog about once we’re settled, until then…peace!
We are filled with joy this season for several reasons. I’ve started a new call as a pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA. I began this past Sunday as some of you who read my musings might already know. My bride will also begin a new teaching position in January 2007. Our family will for the first time move into a new home if all goes well. We’ve not owned a home yet. By Gods grace we are at a place where we were able to get into a home. Just finished a couple of days ago signing our lives away. If all goes well we will move in December 29th. AS for church I’m loving every second. As a solo pastor there are things you definitely do on your own. I worked on my first bulliten this week and if it weren’t for folks with a servants heart I’d be doing the whole thing. Church is very much about the people of God. I’m finding this is becoming really important for me to practice from day one. Anyways, now I’m trying to get into a sermon writing routine. I appreciate my friend Steve who I asked, “how do you pastor a small church and still manage to write a sermon?” His response which I appreciate is, “If you’re faithful to the people God has called you to pastor, he will be faithful with the word you will need for the people.” (My paraphrase) God is good and I can’t wait for the family and me to be totally moved into our new home so that we can together begin our new journey together with our new church family. Most of all my heart is filled with joy that I get to proclaim good news of a Savior…
