What a Summer

Well, I've been missing in action for nearly three months. My apologies! It has been busy, it has been crazy and it has been fun. More than anything it has been fun...

In some ways, I've grown much since I've last posted. It has been a nice “blog vacation” but I'm back and have much to share.

1. I've had the opportunity to preach at our church twice (with a third time coming up this Sunday). That has been a great learning experience.
2. Our family had a “stay-cation” where we stayed home and did things around our area instead of driving or flying somewhere. In the picture here, Ally, Debbie, Mariah and Aaron (left to right) had just mastered a local putt-putt golf course! Learn more over at Deb's blog...
   
3. I've struggled with and rededicated my path towards Full Time Ministry (I bet this happens many more times before I conclude this journey).
4. I'm considering two paths toward vocational ministry: The traditional LCMS route and a new program called SMP.
5. I've completed two more classes in Evangel's Degree Completion Program and am starting another Thursday night.
6. I've been putting together sort of a mission and vision statement for why I want to go into ministry. This is a work in progress.
7. I'm involved in a new division of our company including a huge branding/marketing launch and a new Web site (more to come on this soon).

Phew. I've left a bunch of stuff out, but that is a brief synopsis of what has been going on with me this summer. I'm happy and I'm excited. God, as usual, is at work in my life. I'm enjoying the journey.

P.S. My pastor, Jim Buckman, has a new blog over at the Springfield News-Leader site...visit and drop him a line!