Danny Alvarez Visits

We were happy to have Danny Alvarez visit last week. Danny was Hispanic Pastor at New Covenant. He is working on a doctoral program at Regent University.

Compliments

I don’t receive compliments well (but considerably better than criticism). One compliment I use to enjoy came from an elderly member of our church family who has now gone to be with the Lord. On many of my visits with him there would be someone at his house for a business or medical purpose. He would always introduce me the same way: “This is my pastor. I really like my pastor. The thing I like the most about him is that he is highly educated … but you can’t tell it.” I knew what he meant and it was for me a great honor.

Another full week of blessings

It was a week of blessings. I taught a D.Min. course (8 to 5 plus two evenings); pictured below. We had a staff meeting. I went to three community meetings. We had a revival (Frday night through tonight). Our evangelist, Tim Staier, is pictured below with his wife Krystal (center) and sister Tabitha. It was a wonderful series of meetings.

Life is full

I wanted to post a photo of Larry McQueen. He stayed with us last week while he was in town doing research for his Ph.D. I took the picture, but the memory card was not in the camera.

Last Saturday we had a "Love Feast" at the church. It was a great time outside in the early fall weather. A picture is below. We also kicked off our new Parish Nurse program with a blood pressure screening clinic.

The kitchen drain at the church was clogged last weekend. It took about a half gallon of acid and plunging the floor drain to unstop it after church Sunday evening. Oh the glory of pastoral ministry.

Cheryl preached last Sunday. Members of The Women's Round Table from Lee University visited with us and we went out to lunch with them. It was refreshing to hear these young women testify of their call to ministry.

We were on fall break Monday and Tuesday. I worked on the fence twelve hours each day. I'm having to clear a lot of fallen trees in the process. I also put in a few evening hours Wednesday and Thursday. I'll be working on it tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll be able to let the Dexters out into the rest of my pasture and woods tomorrow. They will eat the undergrowth.

Next week I'll teach a Doctor of Ministry class 8 to 5.

By the way, Cheryl has been in Indiana all week. She was a guest lecturer at the Menonite Seminary there. They have a great interest in Pentecostalism. Several of the faculty are friends of ours. She is spending the weekend with Karisa and Johnmark in Wheaton.

Family Visit

Jimmy and Iris spent the night with us Frday night. Shirley and Mike drove up from Atlanta for the evening.

Down on the Farm

Alethea, Justin, Camdyn & Charlie came for a visit this weekend. Charlie loves the animals almost as much as Camdyn. Pride especially likes little children. He comes up to them and nudges gently until they pet him.

Dexters are here

I have taken on a new project, raising dexter cows. On Saturday two cows and two steers were delivered. Dexters are an old breed developed in the highlands of Ireland. They are a multipurpose breed: meat, milk, and work (oxen). They are smaller than other cows, about the size of the more recent miniature breeds. Miniatures are downsized popular breeds such as black angus. They are the result of a study in Australia during the 60's in which it was determined smaller cows are more efficient at converting grass to meat. Dexters were there first.

My interest is in getting quality beef. Because they will fatten on grass, they produce less bad fat (cholesterol producing) and more good fat (omega-3). Because they are small I should be able to keep a small herd (5 or 6 - with some work enlarging my pasture); they only need half the space of a regular cow. It wouldn't hurt to get a little money back one day.

Don't ask me about my weekend: unknown to me there was a tree across the fence, cows darted 1/2 mile down road, great neighbors helped, many hours spent repairing fence, little sleep because I was up checking on cows.

Guests

We were blessed this week with visits from Moses and Stanley Lane. I failed to get a fresh picture of Moses, but here are several of Stanley with friends.

Stanley with Greg Rush, friends since they were students at Northwest Bible College.


With Dr. Rickie Moore


With us

Thelma's Birthday

Cheryl and I went to South Carolina for her mother's 91st birthday.

Cheryl, her Aunt Dot, her mother, her cousin Barbara.


Cheryl's nephew Josh and his "special friend" Bethany.

A complete set of pictures is on the flicker site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackie_d/

August

Our faculty retreat was at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Cheryl and I went for an early morning walk and I took this shot.

Faculty members deliberate.
We found a nice pool for later exploration.
Alethea brought Camdyn and Charlie for a visit last weekend. My sister Shirley, Ryan and Andrea came up on Saturday.
After a nap.Charlie enjoyed his Sunday meal.

New Photo Site

I am experimenting with a new photo site. You can check it out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackie_d/

More Pictures

At the beach. Celebrating Justin's birthday.
Charlie charmed his great-grandmother Thelma Bridges.
Sibling love at the beach.

After the honey-moon.

Lake Winnie

Wedding Pictures

Lamar Stillwell prepared Karisa's hair (and all the Brides Maids) for the wedding.

Cheryl and Charlie before the wedding.

Camdyn and Karisa refresh before the ceremony.

First dance.

Alethea and Justin at the reception.



Cheryl's nephew Joshua, her sister Ruth, her nephew Seth, and the mother of the bride. Doesn't she look fine.


My sister Shirley.

My nephew Ryan and his friend Andrea.

My sister Darlene (front) with her family Jonathan, Jennifer, Thurman, Christy, and Catherin.

Camdyn shortly before leaving.

My brother Jimmy and me.

Jimmy and Iris.

Wedding Portrait

Now and Then: Doesn't she have class!

The wedding is past. Karisa and Johnmark will arrive at our house late tonight.

I'm Back

Alethea, Justin, Camdyn, and Charlie came over for Easter.