On The Road Again

After a stop-over at New Hope MCC in Montgomery, Ryan and I are now in Huntsville. Thanks to Jack, I am enjoying some down time in style! Ryan is at Space Camp and he was so excited when I left him yesterday. He said, "Mom I'm having a good time and we haven't even started yet." So, all is well as I continue to relax and rest. I did do a visioning workshop for New Hope on Saturday but it was a joy to do it. They were able to create guiding documents with purpose, mission and vision statements! I took pictures but I did not bring my patch cord so those will follow when I get back to Pensacola. Debbie is holding down the fort and making sure dad has what he needs. We will journey back tomorrow and I'm sure Ryan will have so much to share that it will be a quick trip. Blessings to all.

This Week

What a great week this has been for me. I had opportunities to rest, I had time alone, and I even got to work on my tan. While I was at the beach I read a book I have had on my bookshelf for a long time. I looked in the front to see from whence it came and much to my surprise, it was given to me about a year before I moved here over seven years ago. It's about time I got around to reading it! Sabbaticals are good for many things, one of which is reading.

This is an interesting time with all three of us...four if you count dad...home for an extended period of time. There is a sense of joy among us as we take some much needed time to play and just be together. I am sure this summer will be one we remember for the rest of our lives.

It's interesting how the body and mind slow down after racing non-stop. It's a gradual process that leads to a space of peace and clam. That is what I am enjoying today. That is what I am looking forward to tomorrow. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in doing and going that we forget just to be. So what am I doing? Nothing and everything. And I am enjoying every moment of it.

Thank you Holy Cross for the gift of this time off. I know you will be blessed in worship tomorrow so be sure to get up and go to church!

Modern Technology

Wow, two dozen of us just watched the LEGAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY of Booth and Denise via the internet. Unfortunately the sound did not work but there will be a video showing of this historical event in the near future. What a blessing to be a part of the wedding!!!

Congratulations Booth and Denise! We love you!!

It Was a Glorious Day!

Yesterday was a wonderful day! The church seemed full...it was at 80% seating capacity so to new folks it was full...and spirits were high. The Choir did a lovely version of "You Light Up My Life" and the Praise Team sang "Friends". I guess at times I do enjoy surprises. There was an incredible sense of peace in the sanctuary. I drove off knowing that Holy Cross will be fine while I rest and seek God's direction for the next chapter in this exciting journey.



It is my intention to post to my blog at least once a week...but we know about good intentions!



Thanks to those who gave gifts and funds to make this time more enjoyable for me. Know that you are loved and appreciated.



Sandy

Send-off Sunday

It's hard to believe my sabbatical send-off is this Sunday. How exciting it has been to plan worship for the next ten weeks. Indeed God does have people with the resources we need, all lined up to help us at the right time for God's glory. Not only will I be blessed with a time of rest, the church will be blessed with a time of refreshing. I think everyone will be pleased to see the plan that will be revealed on Sunday as we worship together.

You can check out what's happening the first Sunday I am off on the entrance page to our website. I look forward to what I know will be a moving service and I hope to see you there.

Memorial Weekend

Words can never describe the experience of the rainbow celebration on Pensacola Beach each Memorial Day weekend. As usual I went out early (7:45AM) Thursday to await the big event...the set-up of the tent and staging. This year it was quite a wait so I got a little sun-burned but not too bad.

Kent's Tent and Special Events always comes through for us. Out of the kindness of his heart, the guy who's in charge of setting up the tent crowns the top with our pink cross. This year our cross had a new paint job and lights thanks to Melissa and Karen. It was so beautiful, especially at night. Some folks who attended the all night party said it was awesome to look up and see the cross. I think many seeds were planted all weekend, seeds that will grow into the truth of God's love for ALL people.

Just as words cannot express the experience of MDW, words cannot express my thanks to our Outreach Ministry, Administration, BOT Special Events and Worship for a job well done. Thanks specifically to Booth for conducting the service and preaching the last two years. And what a dedicated Praise Team to haul all of that equipment out there and sing prasies to God as folks are waking up on Sunday morning.

When we first began this outreach seven years ago I carried the load of making the weekend happen. And little by little I was able to let go and let others carry parts of the load. Now we are a smooth running team and we learn how to make it better each year. And while it's good for me to be there and I enjoy it so, we have come to the point that my presence is not necessary for us to have a strong presence throughout the weekend. Praise be to God and to God's people at Holy Cross MCC!!!

And now for the best news of all, we conducted a baptism on Saturday. Matt was baptized as an infant and he wanted to be baptized in the gulf. He and I went down to the water and with the hustle and bustle of all the people, I baptized him and prayed for him right in the midst of it all. What a blessing that was for him and me.

Here is a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the many people who gave of their time, talent, treasure and truth to make this MDW such a huge success. May God bless you richly. Know that your pastor loves and appreciates you and more importantly, I think God is smiling at you!!!

How Big is YOUR God?

God does not change, but thank God, our understanding and knowledge of God does. I was thinking about the God of my childhood, the God I brought with me to MCC, and God now in this present moment. And looking forward, how much will MY God grow in the years to come. Perhaps this is part of the process of preparing us for that wonderful time when we will worship around the throne of God in heaven. Our time on earth serves many purposes and I think one of them is our preparation for eternity.

So, how big is your God? Whatever size God is to you, I challenge you to allow YOUR God to grow today. As we heard in the scripture yesterday, God is more than we can think or imagine. Here's to God becoming more and more day by day.