Writer's block

I guess I'm in a writing slump. I'm not sure if I can't think of anything worth writing about (I can), I just haven't felt like writing (I haven't), or if the whole blogging thing was just a passing fancy that has worn off.

For now, I'm going to say that I've been too busy to put the time into a really good post. I have been busy, but aren't we all. I finished a weekend revival in Otterville, MO. It was a great weekend and several young folks made life changing decisions! Thanks to Pastor Ron and all the members at FBC Otterville for their generosity and hospitality.

At home, we are getting ready for Aaron's Graduation Open House. It is this Sunday afternoon. I'm finally finishing up the floor in the basement (doubles as getting the house ready for listing).
The grass needs to be cut tomorrow and we need to start packing away a bunch of stuff. That will help the house to look more open and spacious. (sounds like I've been watching HGTV, doesn't it?) There is some landscaping work that needs to be done and Hannah and Chris have been painting the trim in the house. I bought eight ceiling fan/light kits on sale yesterday--six will be for the new place and two to replace ones in our current home. We are getting bids to have work done on the new place. The current owner still has a BUNCH of stuff in the building so it's hard to get measurements and decent pics.

I have a children's camp coming up the first week in June and a Bible study on the 13th. The 14th begins the baseball journey.

I put a post on the NATCA BBS to find some good eats around the ballparks we'll be visiting. I got responses from every city! If any of you have suggestions of can't miss eating places near Kaufmann (KC), Wrigley (Chicago), Jacobs (Cleveland), Great American Ballpark (Cinn), US Cellular (also Chicago), or Miller (Milwaulkee), feel free to post it here.

I'll share notes from the Bible study in a later post.

John

Baseball

Yesterday I made it to my first baseball game of the season; the Diamondbacks and the Mets at Chase Field in Phoenix. The D-backs managed two homers vs. the Mets' three. The D-backs took a 4-3 lead into the ninth and their closer, Valverde, blew it in a major way. The Mets hit two three run dingers in the ninth to win it 9-4. I got my first major league baseball when Carlos Beltran threw the third out baseball into the left field bleachers at the end of the eighth inning. There were quite a few New York fans around me that had been cheering for him all night. They missed it, it bounced once on the bleacher to my left and I snagged it.

I'll keep it with the ticket stub and all of the stubs and souvineers from our summer trip.

John

April in a Nutshell (May, too)

Wow! April was a great month!

I was busy, but I really had a blast. The month started with some old friends in Cainsville, MO. The revival actually started in March and finished on April 1st. A young lady came forward to make public her profession of faith in Jesus as her Savior. She was baptized two weeks later. Pastor Richard Rogers and all of Zion Baptist, it was great to see you all again. Call me when you make your annual pilgrimage to Branson.

Easter weekend found me in Mountain Home, AR. This was another return visit. The folks at East Side Baptist Church go all out for their kids. I know that everybody had a great time at the Easter Egg Hunt, in spite of the freezing temps. If you're looking to see a kids' program that is drawing kids in and ministering to families, make arrangements to visit them at East Side. I'm sure that Ms. Lora would love to show off her kids!

The weekend following Easter I was up near the Iowa border once again. This time it was Pastor Lewis Rogers (father to Richard) and the Medicine Valley Community Ministries. I learned quite a bit from Pastor Lewis and really enjoyed my time there. The weekend had a new believer, a candidate for baptism and several new members for the church.

My friends at First Baptist, Browning MO were my hosts for the following weekend. Pastor Rusty Abbott enjoys a healthy church that is well positioned to do some great ministry work in the community. I look forward to hearing the stories that will be coming out of that fellowship of believers. God will do a great work through them. Sunday morning had an older man rededicating his life to Jesus. Sunday night he brought his wife and she also rededicated her life to Jesus.

The month ended back at my home church, Hopedale Baptist in Ozark. As much as I enjoy visiting other churches, there is no place like home. The people at Hopedale are so much more that friends--even more than family. Hopedale is my home. I am looking forward to Community Day, May 6th. It turns out that I will have a small part in the program. Really it's the best part. I get to use some magic and I get to share the message of Hope--the message of Salvation in Jesus!

I will also have a small part at the HYPE (Hopedale Youth, Project Eternity) Summer Kick-off Concert on the 11th of May. I'll be in Otterville MO for a revival the 18-20, and closing on our soon-to-be new home on the 30th.

Aaron graduates on the 10th and Hannah is out on the 24th.

Just 4 years, 8 months and 4 days and time will become much less of a factor in this busy life!

John