I don't want to be Eeyore!

You know what I mean. I hate when I get to feeling a little down and then I begin to feel sorry for myself and the pity party is not far behind. I hate that. But I do that occasionally. I guess it is part of the cycle I go through. I have been a little down the last couple of days - nothing major (don't call the hospital or anything). But I was sitting here kind of moping and working on my sermon for Sunday (that should be an uplifting one, huh?!?) and I heard about the death of one of Steven Curtis Chapman's children. Talk about a slap from God.

I have so much to be thankful for. An incredible family who stands by me through some pretty tough crap that gets thrown at us. A wife who puts up with more than anyone ever should (and she looks cute all the time). Two great sons - I cannot believe they are in their mid 20's. And God has blessed us with so much. Cory is engaged to be married to the woman God chose for Him a long time ago when Cory was only a baby and Cindy began praying that God would bring the right girl into his life. And now we have this great future daughter, Suzanne Provance. We never had a girl and that sounds like fun. September 6 they will be married.

Cory and Suzanne are really growing closer to each other but also closer to God. They are involved at Eastview Christian in Bloomington, IL and are right now in Romania on a mission trip with 124 other young adults. It is so cool to see them grow up and give back. Also, Cory found out while in Romania that he has a new gig - full-time 4th grade teacher in Gibson City, IL beginning this Fall. It is so cool when God shows us His plan. You go, God.

Yes, I am a blessed man - no doubt about it. I will stop complaining now. If you see me and I look a little down, give me a hug, tell me you love me and then kick me in the butt. I may just need that!

Donkey?

It has been three weeks since we moved into our new church home and we still have bugs to work out. But God really blessed us in that whole process. Only one mishap. It is pictured here. We walked into the building and found my friend Brett hanging through the ceiling from the attic into the Fellowship Room. Left a pretty big hole (in the ceiling and in Brett's pride). His family was so supportive of him - they called everyone they knew and could not stop laughing. Brett did lots of work around the building and got the ceiling put back together. God knew we needed a little laugh at the end of this huge undertaking. God is so great and so good to us.