Then I got to meet with a young couple getting married in a few months.  It is always fun to sit and share with them and see their excitement.  It always makes me go home and thank Susan for being my wife.

Worship is always the highlight of the weekend.  The very fact that we can gather and worship is because of the sacrifice of so many men and women, who served in the military to protect our freedoms.  That is what I really want to talk about.  It was fun sharing with Lovelie and Wisken what Memorial Day is all about.  Abigail even gave her best attempt at reciting all 27 amendments to our constitution. 

I have seen first hand what it is like to live without these freedoms.  Our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries are tortured and abused for their faith.  They live with few freedoms, if any.  We are truly the most blessed nation on earth.

I have been thinking about all the things I am thankful for lately.  (No, I am not dying).  The Lord has just blessed me in many ways.  I don’t want to miss any God sightings, but be able to respond with thanksgiving.  Here are just a few of the blessings God has given the last couple of weeks:

Great worship.

Wonderful family.  I just glad they are all back home.

Good friends to share life with.

An incredible staff to laugh and grow and serve with.  This could be a whole article.  God has certainly blessed us with a great staff.

To hear the testimony of many motorcycle riders.  Three different Christian motorcycle clubs met with First Trinity’s Men group.  we had around 30 motorcycles in our gym.  It was awesome!

Testimony of members sharing what Christ is doing in their life lately.  It is encouraging to hear how God is moving in the lives of  people we get to minister to.

Preschool graduation – those children are truly a blessing, plus they say the funniest things.

Everyday Faith – being in Bible class with my wife and youngest son, learning Scripture and praying a blessing over him.

Facebook – Yes, even Facebook.  A dear old friend contacted me.  It was wonderful to hear from them.

Mostly I am thankful for Jesus, in whom I live and breathe and have life.

Still, that is not the only reason I miss her, as most of you know.  She is my partner in life, the one I share my all with.  I have to laugh at my own jokes and amaze myself with my witty banter.  Normally Susan pretends to be interested and does those things. And lastly, I miss her smiling, lovely face.  The good news is she returns tonight.  I’ve been saving up my best lines.

No doubt, I am a better pastor when she is around.

A special highlight was Becky’s graduation.  I have already talked about it.  So instead, I want to share a pet peeve.  At the graduation, they played the National Anthem.  I am always grateful.  But what bothered me was the number of people who show no respect as it is being played.  Most do not put their hand over their heart.  Some do not even remove their caps.  And many are just talking through it, ignoring our Anthem.

We were sitting next to a vet, who recently returned from Iraq.  He didn’t even show respect during the Anthem.  Where is our sense of patriotism?   I am truly proud to be an American.  I love our country and am proud of our Anthem.  I pray, God bless America.

Sunday was Confirmation.  It was a great day.  Thirteen young people worked hard for two years and we certainly wanted the day to be special.  It was so much fun to see so many people working together for the special day.  I pray God bless each of the Confirmands with grace and great spiritual growth.

The downside for all this is I didn’t get to greet and welcome s many people the way I would have liked because I didn’t want to spread my cold.

Let’s commit to taking some time to pray for our President (despite your political bent), congress, judicial system, military, schools, churches, and local governments.  Let us pray that we might truly be, “One nation, under God.”

I truly feel privileged to live in America.  I have traveled all over the world and there is no place I would rather live.  Therefore, I will pray for this country.   Just a side note; right now I am singing, “I’m Proud to be an American.”  It is probably good you can’t hear me.

Then we gathered for worship.  It was joyful.  The music was great.  The fellowship was fun.  And Bible class was awesome.  This is the first time I have been able to attend a class on Sunday mornings.  Susan and I go with Wisken to Everyday Faith.  The kids and families are so excited about getting into the Bible together.  Wisken begs to read the Bible at home.   It just doesn’t get better than that.

And of course, I am still the Trouble champion at home.  That is the way it should be.

Kathy keeps the office running like a well-oiled machine.  She doesn’t miss a thing, and watches over the church and school.  And Dona keeps the bulletins on target, and does what ever else we ask of her, mostly humor.

So next time you see Kathy or Dona, tell them how much you appreciate all they do around here.

On Sunday, at the early service, Bekah announced it was time for the childrens’ message and a kid yelled, “Yeah!”  Everybody started laughing.  Then when she turned water in to wine, I heard some of the adults yell, “Yeah!”

At the late service, a couple of really adorable boys were baptized.  That is always fun, but the older boy kept smiling.  He was so excited.  So I asked him, “Are you excited about being baptized?”  He grinned even bigger and said, “Yes.”  I love that.

God always makes Himself knows at worship.  What a joy to be in His presence.