Father's Day Reflections

Yesterday I was able to talk with one of our two son-in-laws (the other one was mowing his yard before needing to leave for a business trip to Lincoln, IL), my father, and my step-father and wish them all a happy father's day. I miss being able to say the same to Bev's father, who died five years ago this month- he was a good man who loved his family very much.

Bev and I are very blessed to have two men who are Christ-followers as husbands to our daughters and fathers to our 5 grandsons. I was also pleased to hear that my younger brother had also called our father and wished him a happy fathers day, something he has not done in quite a few years. It made our "father's day!"

My step-father continues his daily struggle to live and I'm so thankful for the ministry that Hospice provides. I'm grateful that my sister, Lori, can be there for Don and my mother, Marian.

Two weeks later

Tomorrow is Sunday, June 20, and two weeks since Bev and I accepted God's call to serve as pastor of Antioch COB. At this pace it won't be too long until we're moving and settling in! Jan and Dawn who had the kidney transplant surgery on Tuesday, June 15 were both back in their homes on Friday, June 18! God is so good and so amazing! They are both doing quite well.

This will be a busy week as I prepare a message to deliver on Sunday, June 27 at Eversole COB, New Lebanon, OH our home church where they are celebrating their 100th anniversary. We'll be traveling to OH on Friday, June 25, attending a family reunion on Saturday, June 26 and vacationing some in OH from June 28 until we head for Pittsburg, PA and Annual Conference on Friday, July 2. We'll return to PA on Wednesday, July 7 after the close of Annual Conference.

Please continue to be in prayer for my step-father, Don Woolery and my mother, Marian as they are day-to-day with Don's heart condition. Today, a Hospice Chaplain came to visit and talk with them (at my suggestion to my mother) so that they might better cope with the changes that are occurring for both of them during Don's illness.

Blessings and peace to all our sisters and brothers at Antioch COB!

An amazing and miraculous morning!

This morning I arrived at Harrisburg (PA) Pinnacle Hospital at 6 a.m. to be with two congregational families who were preparing for two surgeries (kidney transplant). After some time of conversation and prayer daughter Jan (who was adopted 31 years ago) was the first to enter surgery to donate one of her kidneys to her mother Dawn. In slightly less than two hours Jan was out of surgery with a very healthy and "perfect" kidney for her mother. Dawn went into surgery about one hour after Jan and in just about two hours we learned from the surgeon that Dawn had accepted the kidney and that it had immediately begun to function! Praise the Lord!

I ask that you keep Jan and husband Chris and Dawn and husband Jim in your prayers for God's continued healing. The next 24 hours are critical for Dawn and the prayer is that her new kidney will not be rejected.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my blog sisters and brothers in Christ! I hope to use this blog to update you on our transition from serving Christ and community with Florin COB to serving Christ and community with Antioch COB, on/around September 16.

Our Florin COB sisters and brothers have all been notified of God's call upon our lives to move and join you in ministry. Yesterday, Sunday, June 13 was my first Sunday in worship following the news being shared. It was an emotional and tearful time for many of us. The Holy Spirit did enable me to preach a message on "New Vision" that that I believe gives encouragement to Florin to "keep on keeping on!"

We have made an offer on a house and it has been accepted. This week we are in the process of getting all the financing in place. Please pray for us that this all proceeds smoothly. We are excited about this prospect but also are experiencing a little bit of "buyers remorse!"

I hope to keep this blog updated regularly and believe it will be a good way for us to encourage one another and keep the lines of communication open during this transition time. When you are ready to reply do so by using the "anonymous" option as this is the simplest. Just end your reply with your name so I know who you are.

More later!