The Week

Wow, it has been awhile since I went an entire week without a blog post.  It was not my intention to go silent this week, but the events of this week seemed to overtake me more than I wanted.  That is not to say that it was a bad week.  Actually, it was a full and challenging week, but with all that great fullness and challenge, I neglected the blog.

One of the opportunities that this week brought was the blessed arrival of another child into our family.  Its a boy, about 130lbs, 5' 5".    A young man from church who lives with his grandmother came to live with us this week after his grandmother was hospitalized.  He is a great kid and very helpful and respectful around the house.  I have been a father figure to him for the last few years, so having him move in with us was a small matter really, but it has meant that I am up early every morning to take him to school and then out to pick him up in the afternoon, as well as helping with homework and other things parents of teenagers do.  It is a joy to include him in our home and help him see what a traditional and healthy home can be, but it has added a wrinkle in our life this week.  Now at least I have a picture of how tired I will be when my other three get to their early teen years!  It has been good to include our new son in family devotions and things.  We are thankful to God for the opportunity to serve in this way.

Another opportunity I had this week was to go to China (Maine) to help my dad this week.  Dad's computer died and I was able to take an afternoon and evening to go over and get it up and running again.  Where mom and dad don't go out as often these days, the computer is a great link for them.  I wasn't able to get it completely finished and will need to go back, but it was fun to help them and to get some time with them.  Even though they are only an hour away, I am so busy that I don't get over there like I should.  It was good to get there this week and see them, even if it was to do some work.  I had an extra adventure while there as I was able to catch a mouse that had taken up residence in their van.  Those mice are fast, but me and my coffee can were faster and Mickey was relocated to a more rural environment.

One of the things that has made this week seem so busy is the evening schedule.  Tuesday night I got home late having been at my parents.  Wednesday night I had the privilege of speaking at InterVarsity Christian fellowship at UMF.  This got me home late on Wednesday.  Thursday night was youth group and the supper for the young adults afterward.  Friday night we had Family Night at the homeschool co-op.  The kids did a great time and it was a wonderful time of fellowship with the other families from all the different churches that participate in the co-op.  All of us were really tired when we got home last night.  I was such a zombie.  But is was up early this morning to do men's breakfast.  A smaller turn out today, but always a great time and I got an especially good visit with one of our guys who I haven't gotten to know really well yet.

Yesterday I was able to finally finish my office work and get everything done and ready for Sunday.  I fear that it may be a smaller turn out tomorrow when I look at the weather, but I am looking forward to being with God's people tomorrow and having a time of worship and sharing.

There is much more I could write but I'm sure that those of you who have gotten this far are tired of reading what amounts to a personal note.  I just felt like reflecting on a good and busy week and going through this exercise to remind myself what happened.  I have left a few things out but it was just more great opportunities to bond with people and love others.

I am so thankful for the life that God has given me and the opportunities he presents to share in others lives and share my life with others.  God is great and greatly to be praised!!