February 11, 2019 / 0 comments

Wow! That’s a long time!!

Last Sunday, I was surprised and honored by the acknowledgement of my 20 year anniversary serving at the Plymouth church. Official first day was October 1, 1998. So I’ve been thinking this week about several angles with this:

Historically:

  • President of the US – Bill Clinton
  • #1 song according to Billboard – “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (Aerosmith)
  • The New York Yankees and San Diego Padres were about to play in the World Series.

At Plymouth:

  • I have served with 8 ministers: David Thomas, Royce Dickinson, Jr., Al Meakes, Rubel Shelly, Richard Maddeaux, Kelvin Hoover, Matthew Dowling and Alex Sergio.
  • I have served with 10 elders: Jack Dempsey, Rick Cox, Dick Westlund, Jack Rogin, Gary Collins, Bobby Way, Ted Lafever, Dan Sorensen, Tony Messer, and Rob Richards.
  • My first day – we went to family camp at MCYC and there was the passing of a former elder, Ken Carty.
  • Best guesstimate – worked with about 200 teens from 1998-2016
  • Received my Master of Arts in Community Counseling in 2007
  • I’ve seen my own family grow up: Alyssa was 5 years old and Makenna was 9 months old when we moved here. Amelia was born in 2002. Now we have added Kevin and Adalyn. Lori and I will celebrate 30 years together in 2019.
  • Drove countless hours on the bus including student ministry trips and senior trips to all over. AND the inaugural trip on the bus was to Gatlinburg for Winterfest and the BRAND NEW bus broke down.
  • and best of all, we have a church of believers that have welcomed us along the way. Some of whom are the best friends we could ask for to encourage us along the way.

I have always said and will continue to say proudly and with a smile on my face, “I am a minister at the Plymouth Church of Christ.”

Thank you to all who had a part in the planned celebration. I continue thank everyone for your thoughts and encouragement over the past 20 years. I close with this verse that has been a tremendous part of my life:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Be blessed (I know I have been!!) and be a blessing!

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