It's been a crazy few days. My family, almost all of them, enjoyed nine days of vacation together. In so many ways it was awesome. Me and LuAnne, Heather, Andrew and their two kids, Aidan and Riley, Kayla – we have a blast. Wish Jordan, our son-in-law to be could have joined us but he has this job thing that keeps him pretty tied down (he’s the summer intern for Russell Howard??!!) Of course, really missed Alan and Brycie. They couldn’t make it because of jobs too.
Another blessing from this trip was that I got to spend almost a full week at the home of my dad with my sister, Helen Ruth. She and I have a very easy, uncomplicated, warm, healthy relationship. Only thing is, we just rarely see each other. We talk and email frequently, we just never get to hang out together. My kids love her kids (when they get to be together – but that isn’t very often either) and her daughter, Amber, was there too. She is recently engaged so she and Kayla had lots to talk about. Also, they watched Heather try to manage two kids under the age of two, and that had a pretty significant impact on their “family planning.”
Dad is doing OK. He just turned 80 in June and is facing the typical things that our wonderful parents that age face. I love my dad – I hate to see him become forgetful.

Today, we had the great but sad honor of hosting the funeral of a young police officer in Fort Myers Police Department who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Thursday night. Officer Andrew Widman was not a member of McGregor, but he was a missionary before joining the police force. The family's guest pastor stood in our pulpit and gave all three thousand attendees the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was carried live and uninterrupted on NBC, ABC, FOX, and CBS affiliates in Fort Myers, as well as live online through McGregor's website.

Kayla and Jordan have set the date – July 18, 2009. Mark it on your calendars. Jordan sang this past Sunday and did an incredible job. He has an amazing voice and a heart that loves Jesus to match. His plan is to match. They are very happy.

Summer is going good at McGregor. I plan to go to youth camp next week to spend some quality time with the students. Can’t wait.
Then, the following week, we’re heading to California to spend some time with Alan and Brycie. Can’t wait for that.

God is good, life is good. People need Jesus – so, I gotta go.

Vacating

I'm a "Type-A" person: high strung, wound tight, ADHD, Choleric type of guy.  That means I don't unwind very often or very well.  It goes against my grain.  But I'm working at it.

LuAnne, Kayla, and I went by and picked up Heather and Aidan and newborn Rylee and headed to the beach.

We joined about 45 other members of LuAnne's family for a family reunion at Gulf Shores, Alabama.  Andrew joined us the next day.  Unfortunately, Alan and Brycie couldn't make it - I miss my son terribly and so wish he and Brycie could be here.

We will leave the beach and head to Spartanburg (my home city) to see my dad and his wife.  Big bonus - my sister and her daughter will be there too.  Can't wait !!

I'm trying hard to relax, unwind and "chill" - I'm working on it.  You know, "refilling the tank," so to speak.

Ok, truthfully, I'm ready to come home.  I missed being at church for the God and Country service and last Sunday.  But I'm trying - to unwind.  I'm working on it - really.  I feel slightly less wound tight.  I feel only wound sorta tight.  There - is that better??

I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation.  This trying to relax is hard work.