Day Fourteen

Sunday, June 2nd, and we are in Chicago.  Following four days of work and preparation at home, Ryan, Lynne and I settled in Elmhurst, IL, last night for a two day stay.  Tomorrow we will move on to Madison, Wisc., for two days, and then to Minn. for our family reunion. 

On this day of Sabbath rest, I am grateful for an opportunity to worship at a Christian Reformed Church, which we found through a Garmin search.  Following worship and lunch, we will explore a bit of Chicago by walking in a park and taking a boating excursion.  Times of rest and wonder to offset some days of intense work!

The past four days have been ones of thanksgiving:

• For time to catch up on projects at home
• For so many different tools to take care of a wide variety of projects
• For the people of my past who taught me how to use those tools
• For Lynne and Ryan working beside me
• For the resources to buy the necessary materials
• For the congregation of St. John's for allowing me the time away
• For Discovery readings that continue to speak the word of God to me
• For times of prayer in which I praise God and seek His wisdom
• For blessed neighbors who will keep a close eye on the home while we are away, and who will mow the yard, water the plants, and even take trash to the curb!  We are blessed to have Tim & Jamie right next door!  They even brought over a plate of chocolate chip cookies for us!
• Amy is settling in well at BBM (Back Bay Mission), though Craig has told her some stories about me (like jumping to the ground from a house floor 12' in the air)!

I have started an outline for a book, telling stories of ministry from my pastoral encounters with people, both humorous and faith enriching.  I pray God directs my thoughts as I compile a book of Christian faith and ministry.

My cup indeed runneth over!

Erich