MIDWEEK MESSAGE #191
Hello and welcome to Midweek Message #191. I hope the week has been kind to you so far and that this helps makes it even better. (I can dream can’t I?) ☺
I’d like to remind you to pray for Robert Boltinghouse, the Principal at OVHS, and Jake Steinmetz, the Assistant Principal at OVHS. Mr. Boltinghouse is married to Aleta, a teacher at OVMS. They have three children and this is his 5th year as principal. Jake’s wife, Jennifer is a social worker and they have 4 children: 2 sophomores and 2 seniors at Bloomington South. This is his first year at OVHS.
YOUTH CORNER
A big, huge shout out goes to Anna East!! In MM #189, I mentioned that Anna won the “Voice of Democracy” award for the Gosport VFW. She had to write a speech and then practice/record it and turn it in. After winning First place, she was entered into the District. She found out this past Saturday that she won Second Place for the district!! We are really proud of you, Anna (but I’m thinking mom and dad might be even more proud)! ☺
Eliza Chambers (daughter of Jimmy and Christine) got 1st in her division for gymnastics and took home 5 medals! It was also her personal best scoring for the season! Congrats, Eliza! ☺
Do you know of any other young people excelling in awards, grades, sports, or any other item of interest? Please let me know.
Grandpa Jones (Bob, that is) is proud of his grandson, Robert Herrington. He told me Robert graduated from Army Airborne school last week (like grandfather, like grandson). He is now a Second Lieutenant awaiting his orders for a move to Louisiana.
I joked yesterday with Bob Jones about forgiving him for being a country music fan after he was done with his communion meditation. I failed to tell the second service that I have just finished reading a book by a country music artist named Granger Smith. His book is called Like a River, and it is written in response to the accidental drowning death of his 3 y/o son, River. It was a gut-wrenching book to read, but well worth it. I was unsure whether to read it or not. It wasn’t because it was a country music star, but because of the subject matter and the emotional toll it might take. I simply cannot imagine what any parent goes through in a situation like this, and wasn’t sure I really wanted to, but it was well worth the read. I have the book available for anyone who might like to read it. Read it. Return it for someone else to read. Just ask.
Ladies: there is a Connections Women’s Ministry event happening in a couple of weeks!
Macy Carlson invites you to a Trivia Time Warp! Over 40s vs. Under 40s on Saturday, February 24th, 2 PM at OVCF. Please bring a snack to share.
This past week was a bit different for me. By the time the second service was over last week, I had begun to lose my voice (no comment from the peanut gallery). When our small group rolled around that evening, I was really raspy. After staff meeting on Monday, I went home and didn’t do much but sleep. I got up early on Tuesday but then went home before anyone got to the office and did what I never thought I would do…sleep. I slept more in the first two days than I think I had the previous two weeks. I cancelled 66 and not only was I glad I did, but received some nice texts wishing me well. I was back to my restless self sometime Wednesday. I got a new book in the mail on Tuesday and by the time Friday evening rolled around I had finished it. It was called The Deconstruction of the Church by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett. It was 255 pages of some powerful and helpful information. Thursday evening one of families from the church blessed us with supper. (Jo was glad when she asked me what I wanted for supper and I said, “The ________ are bringing us chicken from Babbs. Remember?” She walked away with a grin of satisfaction on her face).
I learned some valuable lessons last week:
I’m not young anymore (as if…). I can’t burn the candle at both ends and not run out of steam. Jo kept asking me to slow down but it was like talking to a deaf man. My thinking was I was riding my bike inside, I was going to the Y. I was sleeping (somewhat); I was taking my vitamins and immune supplements. That should keep me healthy. No, sometimes the body says, “No more.” Mine said that plus, “You are now going to sleep.”
Sometimes if you don’t listen to your body, there are stronger forces to deal with. Namely, God. Sometimes God slows a person down because He needs us (me) to listen. Sadly, in my burning the candle at both ends lifestyle, I was failing to listen to Him. Not only did He need me to take time with Him, I think He also was giving me some time to read that previously mentioned important book I had been waiting for over 3 months for. (I pre-ordered it last year).
How grateful I am for others to take up the slack. Special thanks to Pastor Ryan and Diana for doing that.
I learned I better have a list handy at all times for people in my Route 66 class. I thought I had successfully texted everyone Tuesday night about not having 66. Nope, I found out I had forgotten two people. Sorry, Cindy and Melissa. “The old gray matter ain’t what it used to be, ain’t what it used to be…”
I learned how much I missed reading to the K classes at SES. I was supposed to read to them on Tuesday but had to cancel. I truly missed those kids. But I get to make up for it this Wednesday at GES and Thursday at SES! I’m reading Clifford’s Good Deeds, a very appropriate book for Valentine’s Day month. What a great program Matt Taylor, S-OCS Curriculum Director, and Kris Samick, Director of Communication, have made available to the K classes at the elementary schools. I’m also grateful for Pastor Ryan who reads to the classes at MCES; and Larry Hensley, the husband of the K teacher (Danielle) at PES, who reads to her class.
I hope you have a great rest of the week. My sermon this Sunday is WELCOME HOME…where… Obedience is Encouraged. I look forward to seeing you there. Until then…know you ar
e loved.
Pastor Bill
