Another Son to Thank God For

I've been quiet for a few days and that is because I focused on my wife and our much needed time together. Thursday we were invited to Kip and Sharon Powers home to share Thanksgiving with their family. This was really a blessing because being 10 hours away we were unable to be with our families.

Friday Cary and I took a small backroads trip to Elliots Island and then ended up at the Suicide Bridge Restaurant for lunch. It was a beautiful day in the Maryland countryside and we throughly enjoyed ourselves. Yesterday we continued the ourdoor activity by visiting Assateague Island and walking along the ocean as well as some of the trails. This is our favorite way to have a day together. Cary is quite a photographer and we have a few beautiful pictures of scenes along the way. We saw many deer and a few wild horses on our trek. I really loved the refreshing time with my wife. We don't get much time like that together because usually my day off is Monday and Cary has to work. So we treasure any hours together! Today after speaking at all three services I have a fresh appreciation for what Bill goes through every Sunday. I grateful for the opportunity to share in this way whenever it comes.

Well let me move on to my fourth born son. Above you can see Mark and his wife Callie. They live in Frankin, Ohio and attend Vineyard Community Church along with two of Marks brothers. Mark is working as an apprentice pipefitter and is also being schooled through this apprentice program. Callie is going to school and is studying massage therapy.

Of all my sons Mark has surprised me in a number of ways. Being the most quiet of my five sons he was actually the first one to get married. I had the privilege of conducting the ceremony in February 2005. Another surprise to me is watching Mark use his hands as a vocation. He was the sport enthusiast of the family and the last one I would have guessed would take on a trade as a profession.

Mark was an excellent golfer and tennis player. One thing I really miss from his High School years is all the rounds of golf and tennis matches I attended. I served as an assistant golf coach and loved watching him play. Before graduating he tied the school record at the Franklin Golf course and beat the score of Frank Lichliter (Now PGA Pro) who used to play on the Franklin Team. Needless to say I really miss the opportunity to golf with my son as it's something we love to do together.

Again like all my sons I want God's best for him and I pray that God would use Mark and Callie for His Glory.