I Love My Wife

Went to a memorial service today.

It was one of those happy sad moments.

Before the service began, I had an opportunity to speak to the husband of the one that had just passed.  He said to me that he wanted me to make sure that I hugged my wife every moment of every day.

I could see the love and the loss in his eyes.

I love my wife!  I have not always lived it out the way that she deserved.... I have not always served here the way that love demands... and I have not always loved her the way that God has loved me and called me to give myself up for her.

But I love my wife.  She is the greatest part of my life here on earth.  God has to be #1 and she will always be #2.   I know what it means that the two shall become one... for I could never imagine life without her.

Thank you God for giving me the most awesome gift of life through your son... and blessing this life with the greatest part of me my wife.

I love my wife and will hug her as soon as I can.

Con"GRAD"ulations

I forgot to mention that I went to graduation this weekend. Congrats to all those who walked the stage and have finished this phase of life... I really hope your bags are packed for the road ahead.

Now normally Graduation is nothing to write home about... I mean I love the kids and I'm excited for them... but the hours of watching kids I don't know cross the stage really doesn't get me going.

But this year... we had a moment!

That's right a moment of relief and laughter... and no I'm not being mean... you have to know the kid -


Thanks for the laughter!

Congrats to all the Grads it been a great experience

Hidden Talent in the booth

So I've had a student running sound for us for the last two years in our student ministry.  He was a little slow getting connected, but has become a huge part of our ministry and tech team.  He is now serving in our main services as our Assistant Sound tech in our booth.

It's always been one of those things that has been evident to me... but not always easy to pull off... I need to do less and let others do more.  One of the things I've had a hard time letting go of ... and finding someone that could not just fill in but lead out in... was leading worship for the students.  

I didn't want to always be on stage... singing, doing announcements,and then teaching.  I've tried to find those to help take over some of these areas.  We've had a few come through that have tried it out... some stick... some don't.  But I've always taught and sang...

Last Tues. I couldn't be at band practice, the guy that was going to sing, couldn't... so the band was going to practice without a singer.... Wouldn't you know it... the guy in the booth, that has been behind the scenes for two years now, came out and practiced with the band.

I get a phone call... Can I sing? - I don't know... can you?

I told him I would have to hear him, and see how he did at leading from the stage before I would OK the move.... and WARREN did an amazing job...  he came out of the booth and took the stage and really led in worship.

Thanks Warren for doing a great job... the position is now yours!

Just reminds me that God has people with gifts and talents we just need to give them an opportunity to grow and shine!

BIG STUF

Ok... so we're less than three weeks away from leaving for Big Stuf!

Can you believe it... I can't.

Usually we go later in the summer, and going early on has me kinda messed up, things are coming much quicker than I really can handle it.  AHHHH!

I hope ya'll are ready to go.  Get your cloth

es washed, swim suit picked out, bags packed cause the bus is leaving on June 29th @ 5 am...  

This is going to be awesome... I got a sneak peek at the opening of Big Stuf  and it's going to be amazing!   I love this STUF!

Now I've really lost it!

Ok... so everyone around here has been asking me... Scott are you losing weight? or Scott how are you doing it?  like there is some magic pill that I've been hoarding to myself. 

Ok... here is the answer... yes I've lost weight.  About 65 lbs. now.   How have I done it... lets see.

I get up every morning and go to the gym for about an hour and lift and run.  I was playing basketball three times a week @ 5:45 am (which I plan on doing again now that it is summer and the kids don't have to go anywhere).  I stopped eating excessive amount of food, cut out all sugar drinks, and don't eat late at night.  It took about 8 months for anyone to really notice I was losing weight.... so there is  no magic or quick way to do it... you just have to sweat and get it done.

But this blog is not about me losing weight... I've lost something else... 

because of the weight coming off... my fingers have gotten smaller and so... my rings don't fit so well anymore.

I've lost my wedding ring 3 times!

Once at a basketball game - Amy and I had just mentioned needing to get our rings resized cause they were fitting loosely.  And five minutes later I was searching the basketball court for my ring.  I found it near an exit door.. wheww that was a close one.

#2 I was getting the girls dressed after their bath and noticed my ring was missing yet again.  I felt confident it was still in the bath tub... and it was... wheww  still got it.

#3 We took the family to the lake.  We were just swimming near the shore.  Again I had just mentioned to Amy the need to take my rings off... because they were a little loose.  My youngest daughter was on the shore crying for her daddy to come and get her... and then it happened.  As i paddled my way in I felt it go... my ring... slipping off my finger into the brown abyss which is the shoreline of lake Keowee.   My ring - gone for good.

It has been weird without a ring... I don't like it.   I have to get a new one!   This is driving me nuts.

I really hate losing stuff!

I Love Free Money

Ok... so maybe I should say unexpected money.  Cause I guess it's not really free.  Although those unexpected Birthday checks are always nice.

Anyway...

Have you gotten your stimulus check yet?  I haven't! -  I got an envelope from the IRS the other day and I thought finally it's here!  but nope... just telling me it was on it's way.  I've been waiting for this check.  Not because I need the money... just the security of having it.   Somehow there was some mix-up with the Govt.  I know hard to believe right.  We signed up for the direct deposit method... and were expecting this check over a month ago.  We actually planned a "get away" because the check was coming... and then it didn't come.  It was a huge bummer!

But today... I got a refund on some insurance that i didn't realize was coming... a blessing! It wasn't much... but when it comes and you're not expecting it... that is when you can smile and say.... Let's go out to diner!

I love it when you get an unexpected gift, surprise, encouraging word... it just makes my day.

Maybe you could be that or do that for someone today... see if it doesn't come back around to you.

and hopefully my stimulus check will be here soon!

School is almost out

Can you believe it... another year almost wrapped up.  Two more days of School and then it's all over with... then summer begins.

My son has been on a countdown for the last 3 weeks, he can hardly stand it.  You'd think he was graduating and moving out or something... but he's just in Kindergarten.   Oh well only 11 more years of that with him.

I'm stoked about the summer... Big Stuf will be here sooner than we know it... and that just excites me.  

I get to do something this weekend that I don't get a chance to do very often, but I love to do it every time I get an opportunity.  I'm preaching in the main services.  It's on a topic that just makes my heart explode.  Worship.

What a way to kick off the summer.... so kick back... finish strong... and let's enjoy the heat!