Getting settled in

We are getting settled in. Boxes are a real pain to lug around and unpack but Jill has the house arranged and we have been able to have people over to hang out and eat. We hope to have people over more to be able to get to know them more intimately and to be able to serve and love on them. It is a great joy to be able to do this and we look forward to this aspect of serving the Body.

My parents visited for an entire week! This doesn't happen often so we had an amazing week! Mom (one of the truly nicest people ever) had a blast with the kids and Jill. Dad (one of my heroes) got to hang out with the kids and have some "man" time with Caleb. By the end of the week the kids were loving all over them and they were eating it up!

I look forward to more visits now that we are moved in and at a place where we are hoping to establish some roots. It is difficult not living near family as most of our siblings do but HE has always blessed us with those from the Body that love and serve us well as we do the same for them - what a beautiful expression of the Gospel that is! Serving our great God and King is a distinct privilege and we would not change a thing!

As of today I guess you can say we are official South Carolinians again. We switched out tags on the vehicles on Monday but couldn't do the same for our drivers liscences because I didn't have a birth certificate (never had one for 35 yrs) and Jill didn't have a marriage certificate (never had one for 11 yrs of marriage - yes, we are legally married) to prove who we are to the fine state of South Carolina. We had them "super air mailed" so that we could get this done and we finally got this done this morning. It was good Jill did this (I should not have complained about the cost) because my D.O.T. physical expires tomorrow and I wouldn't have been able to renew my CDL without it. So, South Carolina now has a ton of our money (and will continue to collect in the years to come) and we are now "official" residents.

It was a good thing I renew my CDL because my dear friend Billy Wayne called to ask if I would drive their bus with a load of campers this upcoming week (that should be fun - lol). I'm leaving on Saturday to serve at Billy's Jr. I.A. Camp next week but before I leave I have to get my physical tomorrow. I will be updating on facebook how HE is moving at camp.

Seminary Graduation

Some thoughts on Seminary Graduation and some pics of some professors to share with everybody. I have to admit May 28th was an emotional day for me. It was the end of a long, long journey. It was also a joyous time to celebrate with both sets of parents and my sister getting to be there with us. Leading up to the time I was so stressed. Papers and finals were hanging over my head along with some major personal issues. This semester I wrote 16 or 17 papers - I have never wrote so much in my life! Writing for me is a bit of a struggle and takes much time. Jill was gracious through it all as I had to be at the Library quite a bit, especially toward the end of the semester. This semester I also had 3 extraordinary professors. They were amazing because they cared for me not as a student but as Man of God and father. It was humbling to have sat under such men and I am indebted to them and cherish their examples as Men of God. Here are some pics and thoughts about each:

This picture is with Dr. Shawn Madden, myself, Caitlyn, and Caleb. I was not able to get a picture with him on graduation day so I went to his office before moving to Kershaw and shared a few moments. He taught my Hebrew I & II courses. I found the courses quite difficult yet his engaging style made class enjoyable. I look forward to continuing contact with him. He tenderness of heart and encouragement were both beautiful things this semester.

This picture is with Dr. Todd Borger. He taught my Old Testament II course. I have fallen in love with the Old Testament over the past few years and he continued to fan the flame in my wanting to pursue God in this way. It was his first year at the school after teaching in Malaysia and I was the first student of his at Southeastern to graduate. I look forward to coninued contact with him and that our friendship will grow.

This picture is with Dr. Danny Akin. He is the president of the school and taught my Expository Preaching course this semester. I was scared to death to take this course because of the courseload and because he is a very direct person and I thought he might tear me up when I had to preach. In the end his passion for the Word of God and preaching challenged my heart in ways that will continue to impact my ministry for years to come. It was a pleasure to get to know him personally and to have him take an disticnt interest in my life.

God placed each of these 3 men in my life this semester to encourage and challenge me through a very difficult time and I thankful for HIS use of them during that time. I will not soon forget the impact of each.