One more day...

Wednesday was a bitter-sweet day. At our fellowship lunch, some of us who are "graduating" this week had an opportunity to share with the whole group. These are some of the guys I shared this time and experience with over the past few months. While it is exciting to be finishing, it is really hard to leave guys who have become "family." The only thing I can compare it to is guys who have gone to war together (which we did!). We had our dog tags (the black lanyard you see me wearing), our uniforms (self explanatory), and fought in the trenches together sharing our lives day after day. You really form a special bond through that kind of experience. Already today I have been called by one "grad" who is now home in L.A., and another who is now at home in Topeka, Kansas, guys who left one and two weeks ago. They were just "checking in." It will be great to get home, but I will take a whole lot of folks with me!

"Family" is what the church is all about. I received several calls from brothers and sisters in the church today checking on our weather, cheering on the last few days here, and generally just sharing and laughing with me. What a blessing. God made us for relationship, and that is what makes the tough things in life "do-able." The more you move into relationship, the more God uses and encourages you.

Because of Tropical Storm Fay around here, the weather is nasty. It is sheeting rain in pretty stiff winds. It's a bit weird for us because it looks like you should have a fire on when you're inside, but when you step outside, it's over 80! Something is very wrong with this picture! We're hoping and praying that Fay doesn't decide to visit this evening so we can get our treatment tomorrow morning (7:45am). I still can't quite believe it - just one more!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement. They mean more than you could ever know.

Bill