Warning: I make no guarantees as to the clarity of this post. I am operating on a few hours of sleep and still recovering from jetlag.

We made it home Friday evening and are still trying to recover after the travel home from Kenya and to the 9 hour time difference. Our trip was fantastic and it was difficult giving goodbye hugs to the family when we left. But it was so good to spend time with them again. Let’s see if I can do a little musing this morning.

-We had our Children’s Christmas program yesterday. It was such a good day. There were more than 20 children involved in the program. Given the number of children attending a few months ago this is a tremendous number. I am so proud of our children’s workers and the progress that has been made in our Children’s ministries.

-The kids did such a good job. We had the obligatory pre-schoolers grabbing for and fighting over the microphones. We had kids who shined being up front and some who froze. All of which adds to the charm of a kids program.

-I love the simple message of the children’s program. Focusing on the innkeeper of Bethlehem and asking if we have room for Christ.

-There was great humor and serious thought in the dialog and songs.

-We had a great attendance. W, I mean really great attendance. We had many more than we had on Easter Sunday. It was great to see that our people really took to heart my urging to invite people to come. That makes 3 Sundays in the past 6 or 7 weeks in which we had more in worship than we had last Easter Sunday.

-It was great to meet some parents and grandparents of our children. Praying for those who live near us to return.

-It was so much fun to see the huge smiles on the faces of the core people of our church. Those who were here when we arrived and who have served so diligently for years. They are thrilled to see the growth that is happening and are not bemoaning someone sitting in their spot or that they are having to park a little further away. Their attitude is one of the keys as to why we are growing.

-It was great that I did not need to preach yesterday. You will rarely hear me say that, because I am passionate about preaching. But given my travel and the effects of jetlag it is probably good for all that I wasn’t attempting to preach a sermon yesterday. It would have been an adventure, but I am not sure it would have been helpful to anyone.

-Our small group had their Christmas party last evening. It was great that someone in the group took control and hosted the group for us last night. All we had to do was show up. We could just relax and enjoy the time with this great group. There were some great laughs and even a few moments of sharing.

-In anticipation of how I might feel on this day I avoided any meetings or appointments for today. That is proving to be a very wise decision. I am really having trouble focusing and even carrying on a conversation is interesting this morning. I do have a hospital visit I need to make later. Here’s hoping I make it in and out of the hospital without someone thinking I need to be admitted.

I am missing my grandkids and kids this morning. But I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel to Kenya and spend time with them. Here’s hoping you have better focus than I do today. I pray that you will sense the comfort of the Lord’s presence and the power of his love today. Now I wonder if I can sneak in a nap without anyone realizing I am asleep.

Dennis