I couldn’t do my musings this morning as we were saying goodbye to the 2^nd of our 3 kids and family as they headed back home. What a glorious weekend and what an outstanding Sunday we experienced. I am overwhelmed today. As for my musings …

-They were all here. All 16 of them, which made 18 of us all together for the very first time. My wife and I, our 3 children, their wonderful spouses and our 10 awesome grandkids. On Wednesday we picked up my son and family as they returned to the states after serving as missionaries the last 3 years in Kenya. On Thursday afternoon our oldest daughter and family arrived to join the festivities. Then on Friday evening our youngest daughter and family arrived to complete the crew! It was awesome! The last time we were all together there were only 16 of us. Two of grandkids were born while our son and family were in Kenya. So there was a lot of catching up to do. There was a lot of hugging. There were more smiles than could be counted. There was raucous laughter erupting all over the house often. There were games to be played and stories to share. There were pictures to take and much food to be eaten. There were fierce hugs and some tears as we began to separate again. And it was amazing! 

-We experienced the hottest weather we have had since I moved here two and a half years ago. That limited the activities to the indoors.

-Both of my churches had good attendance and especially for late July in this type of heat.

-We had major technical problems at both churches. So frustrating.

-The spirit was good in my 9:00 church and it was outstanding in my 10:30 church.

-I preached with a shovel in my hand. (Maybe I will share why in another post. I like to keep them on their toes during the message.) 

-As part of my 10:30 church’s worship one of the kids from church presented a check to my son and daughter in law. The check was for a wonderful ministry called Kenya Kids Can. They feed 16,000 school children a day. My son and daughter in law worked in this ministry as one of their ministries in Kenya. The money came from the children during our Vacation Bible School. The check was for $540 and was just part of the offerings the children gave. The other part went to support a pastor’s child’s schooling in Kenya for the next year. It was a very special and moving moment in our worship. 

-Last week our church was broken into and someone damaged 3 doors and ruined our safe. The person was caught in the act by the local police while doing a routine patrol. The person did not get away with anything since they were caught in the act. Our safe held up, but it will need to be replaced. Last Monday was a very difficult day. My heart is breaking for the person who broke in and for their family. It made quite the splash in the news, not exactly the type of publicity we were looking for.

-Today is my 2^nd grandson’s 16^th birthday.

-Yesterday I shared some of what God has been pressing me on personally (see my post titled “My Monday Morning Wreck”) and how I believe He wants all of us to respond to the needs around us. We are seeking ways to go deeper (see the connection with the shovel) so that we can grow up and produce the fruit of changed lives and helping those most in need. God is really up to something special in our town.

Here’s hoping that you are seeing ways to make a difference in your community and that you are courageously stepping out to help people.

Dennis