Dear Cross Creek Church,
I hope you all and your family are all doing well this summer. Our family has continued to lift up our beloved church body in our prayers regularly while we have been engaged in this wonderful season of Pastoral Renewal. We trust the Lord has been growing our church body in rich ways during our absence.
I look forward to thanking you all in person for the gift of this sabbatical, as we return to worship July 28, and I resume preaching August 4. Many times Patience and I have looked at each other and said “the timing could not have been better” for this blessing. On August 4 we look forward to a church-wide Sunday school gathering, where we can share more specifically and also hear from you all, ways you have grown, while we have been out of pocket. But here is a quick summary, by way of update.
End of May and beginning of June, our graduation trip with all four boys was filled with adventure, memories and rest. In mid-June, my twins assisted me in a pavilion construction project, as a time of connection and collaboration, before they depart the home for college. This was also a way for me to “rest” from my normal work by pursuing a creative project with a different set of skills than I normally use!
At the end of June, Patience and I escorted Chalmers to his “induction” at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The five days of “orientation,” parent activities, and drop-off was emotional all-the-way-around, but such a blessing for us both to have time to cherish that sendoff.
Early in July, just Patience and I enjoyed several days with some good friends from out of town who we have known since before we were married and are also in church ministry out-of-state. Then we headed to St. Louis for a visit with some long-time mentor couples we know, and a visit to some of our ole stomping ground from the first seven years of our marriage.
We also embraced the different role of attending, rather than leading, in various churches in Colorado, St. Louis, and locally, both PCA and other denominations. What a joy to see Lord’s kingdom going forth in just this small sampling of churches, faithfully worshipping, evangelizing, praying, studying, growing and serving!
Thanks so much, church family, for giving me and the family the space you did. While I have missed the fellowship of regular texts and calls with you, and will look forward to resuming that connection, I thank you all for giving us that “communication” space. Hope to see you Sunday!
Colorado
Air Force Dropoff
St. Louis
