Where there is Smoke

We returned last evening from a working vacation in Arizona. We spent Thursday through Sunday morning in Sedona where Cheryl was a guest lecturer for the "Pastor Theologians" program of the Center for Theological Inquiry at Princeton Theological Seminary (what a mouth-full). It was at a Hiton conference center (very nice! Presbyterians know how to retreat; Like Jesus they went to the wilderness mountains.)
While we were there, there was a major forest-fire north of town in the Oak Creek Canyon where all the great sites are. We could see the fires at night.

On Sunday we drove to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (six hour drive). We wanted to avoid the crowds at the South Rim. We stayed in a cabin at Jacobs' Lake (see below; the spacious cabin was a duplex). We drove to the rim to see sunset. Unfortunately, there was a very major fire on the north rim. The air was full of smoke. We believe we were the last people out of the park that night. It was closed off and hundreds of people were standed inside for a couple of days.

On Monday we drove to Zion National Park in Utah (two hours one way). It was wonderful. We will return some day. But there was a fire there as well. When we returned to Jacob's Lake for the night the smoke was so thick we could hardly sleep with the windows closed.

On Wednesday were returned to Pheonix via the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.


We had the front half.


A full view of our room.

Karisa is Off

I took this photo at the Nashville airport when I dropped Karisa off for her trip to India. She first went to Denver for a week of orientation. She is now in Mumbai (Bombay). She seems well and happy working with the Dalit (Untouchables). I'll post her email address later.

Return of the Living

OK, we are alive and well. It has been a busy spring and I just have not had time to post. So I'll try to catch up but without concern for proper sequence.

Alethea's Childhood rediscovered on an April visit. Actually, she was making sure Camdyn was not overrun by bigger children.

Karisa Lives!

News from Karisa has arrived (voice analysis confirms it was her on the phone although there has been no visual or DNA confirmation of her existence). She has been accepted as an intern for a six-month ministry in India beginning in early June. [For those who have read this post previously, you will notice the last sentence reflecting parental pride has been removed at the request of the object of the pride.]

Welcome Guests

Last Friday evening we followed through with a plan we have talked about for years; we had new comers at New Covenant over for a meal. Actually we have often had new families over for meals but as the church has grown it became difficult to keep up with everyone so we talked about having a larger, less frequent gathering . Pictured from left to right (front left): Cheryl, Tamara & Brian Dalton, Hannah Moore, Brandon Anderson & Amie Thompson, Jenny & Clark Bryant.

Otherwise life has been busy. In March (since the last post), Jackie chaired an accreditation visit at the Lincoln Christian Seminary in Illinois and we both went to the Society for Pentecostal Studies meeting in California.

Jackie planted his garden yesterday and this morning (the signs were right according to the Farmers Almanac).

Plowing & Camdyn

It was a good day. I turned my garden area and harrowed it down. Camdyn and I pulled weeds from the raised garden and fed them to the horses. I planted some grass seed near the road in front of our house. [Cheryl and I had harrowed and sown seed in our pasture last Satueday.] I also did some work on the playhouse.

We took these pictures of Camdyn this evening. She is a camera showoff.

Easter or Fried

The empty nest does not stay empty long. To the stray cat we have added two rabbits. The cat stands at the patio door and licks his chops watching them hop around.

APB -- Karisa Springs Prison

An all-points bulletin has been announced for Karisa Gabrielle Johns -- aka Passport Gabby, aka Sassa Sassa, aka The Boss. Be on the look out; she is considered charmed and dangerous. Recent pictures unavailable. Her father says he has not seen her in ages. Her mother and sister deny contact but several leads report they recently met with her in Memphis. The sketch artist disappeared with her.

Karisa has spent the week (her spring break) at Angola State Prison in Louisiana doing ministry. We have not heard from her (cell phones were not allowed) and she has never heard of calling collect (a secret I wish to keep). Pray for her safe return to Wheaton.

Catching Up

The revival ended Friday. It was a wonderful time of hearing from God. We were renewed in prayer with extended times around the altar. I have included a few pictures from our trip to Emmanuel College and some of the Hemphills who were over for lunch today.


Pastor's hat

Scott, Whitney, and Lilly Hemphill

Students praying during chapel.

Cheryl's nephew Joshua Bridges was there.

Lisa Long went along for the ride.

Lauren Belema, a student from our seminary, went with us to present an interpretive dance in response to Cheryl's message.

Revival

Well things really got back to normal. I have not had the time, nor the presence of mind, to post. I will catch up on a few items later.

This week we are in revival with Tim Staier. [Link to Tim's web page.] Tim is a graduate of the seminary and he is currently a state evangelist for the Church of God in Florida. He preached for us last year. He is an outstanding minister of the Word.


Tim Staier


Tonight was interesting to say the least. When I arrived at church there was the pungent smell of propane. After searching for the location of the leak it finally dawned on me that the smell was probably being caused by an empty tank. Yes, it was empty. (The pilot lights went out and left the strong smell.) Scott, our music pastor, got sick while we looked for the leak. I was about to tell the gathering crowd that we were going to cancel the service when Scott sugested we meet outside. The temp was 66 (when we started). Over forty people stayed and after singing Amazing Grace and praying for needs, Tim brought a powerful message on the resurrection of Lazarus.

Back to Normal

For most of you life returned to normal on January 2. The holidays were just memories and bills. Ours was extended a couple of weeks. We made the trip to Michigan for a wedding and Camdyn came for a visit (see earlier blogs).

Last week was our return to normal. Cheryl taught an intensive class (Gender Studies) that ended Friday with a noon meal at our house. I spent Saturday cleaning carpets at the church. Sunday was full with two great services, lunch with new church members, and I had a deacons meeting in the afternoon. Monday was return to the office and committee meetings and student advising and D.Min. defenses. Monday evening we had the church elders meeting at our house. Last evening (Tuesday) I had the church staff meeting at our house. Tonight we have a farewell reception at the church. At some point this week I have to patch a leak in the roof of our house (over the garage). Cheryl is working hard grading.

Ahh! Its good to be back to normal.

A Little Model

I needed to distract Camdyn so that Cheryl could leave for the store. I asked if I could take her picture in some goofy glasses. But when we got down stairs she refused to wear the glasses which she had been showing off upstairs. Instead she wanted her picture without it. She proceeded to direct the photo shoot, telling me where and how to sit. She chose her place and posture. She turned the television off because it was distracting her.

Kitty

I wanted to take a picture of Camdyn and the cat. She decided she wanted kitty in her lap for the picture: a two year old set the picture up.

Guess Who

Do you recognize the toddler in these photos? Hint: look at the previous post.

I love to climb high.

I love to slide.

Oops!!!

I love horses.

I love all kinds of horses.

Camdyn Visits

On Tuesday Cheryl and I drove to Pulaski, Virginia where we met Justin's parents (Randy and Gail Allen) and picked up Camdyn. Justin and Camdyn had stayed in Virginia following Christmas for Justin to complete a couple of Doctor of Ministry courses at Wesley Theological Seminary. Justin will pick her up this week-end on his way home to Memphis.

This afternoon we took Camdyn to Tensley Park. She met a new friend and otherwise had a great time. She worked up from going down the big slide with Nanna to insisting on doing it all by herself.

GiGi, Nanna, Camdyn, and Pa.

More, Higher

Twins of spirit

By myself

Pooh Sticks

Wedding Trip

On Friday I drove to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cheryl flew there from New York City where she was attending a consultation on ecumenics. We came to perform a wedding for two of our students, Leslie Carpenter and Matthew Holmes. We had a wonderful time doing the ceremony together and received many complements. They were a beautiful couple as you can see from the pictures.

We will drive home tomorrow. Karisa returned to Wheaton with JohnMark. Alethea is in Memphis working at St. Jude's Childrens Hospital this month. Justin is in DC staying with his parents for another week while he takes a couple of Doctor of Ministry classes. Camdyn is with Justin and his family.


First Dance as Mr and Mrs

Cutting

More Cutting

Cutting up: Cake anyone?

Seminary Family Present

A Promise Kept

Gatlinburg

On Wednesday I went to Pigeon Forge to spend a few days with family. Shirley, Ryan, Darlene, and Thurman met me there. Karisa was ill so she and Cheryl came up on Thursday. Mike came up on Thursday as well. Alethea, Justin and Camdyn stopped on their way to Washington DC and spent Wednesday evening with us. Traffic was terrible, and restaurant service was slow but we had a great time. Our cabin was nice (three bedrooms, three baths, fireplace, mountaintop, etc.-- not to mention a scenic view of the Pigeon Forge traffic.) Karisa requests we refer to this as a trip to Gatlinburg.

Unfortunately, Jimmy had to work so that he and Iris could not join us.

Camdyn took to Thurman. It's a Grand-pa thing.

Gatlinburg

Portrait

So much excitement