and its only half-over

wow...what a week it has been...

let's run it from the beginning; starting with Sunday

So, Sunday, preached on baptism. we looked at Acts 8, Philip and the Ethiopian, as well as Matthew 3, Christ's baptism. what a wonderful morning it was reflecting on God's desire for baptism; there was water on a desert road, enough for a man to be baptized in...and the whole Trinity showed up for Christ's baptism...I'd say God was fond of it. At the end of the gathering I welcomed anyone to join me in being baptized next week after our sunday gathering...5 people. So this coming sunday, in a few days, we're going to have our first baptism service. be on the look out for different pictures and such. (if you aren't on my update email list and wanna be, let me know, that's where they'll be

sent).

so we left the building and i went home and plopped myself on the couch to watch Vikings-Steelers. It had been a great morning and I could not wait to sit and relax and watch my Steelers.

'Nick, I think i left my phone at the cottage.' Mandy says to me.

'Here's the keys babe, have fun.' was my response as there was absolutely nothing that was going to get me off the couch. Shortly after that, Mandy hadn't left yet, Mendenhall fumbles on the four and the Vikings start to drive and Mandy says...

'Look, they were doing better without you watching, come with me.' Wow, now I wear the same jersey and hat and sit in the same place on the couch when the Steelers are winning, stupid I know, but Mandy had never used that stuff for any reason.

'Fine.' So we drive up to the cottage, a whopping 3 minutes away, and while driving Mandy apologizes for taking me away from the game and i grunt in response... apparently the joy of a pending baptism service had vanished into thin air...once we reach the cottage I reach for the radio to try and find ESPN radio or something hoping it was on, when she says...

'Will you come in with me?' Seriously?! So I get out, close the door with authority, hearing my dads voice telling me not to slam the door. When we reach the cottage door, its unlocked to my horror and we walk in and "SURPRISE! HAPPY PASTOR'S APPRECIATION MONTH!" The smell of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, chocolate cake and coffee filled the air...i was shocked and thankful...i love my family. And the Steelers won with defense. :)

Wow...that was just Sunday...I still have to share about how one of our friends who has looked out for us more than any other since we moved here managed to find a way to get us a brand new radiator for our car, and then install it himself for free! Our Blazer would overheat within 45 seconds...the radiator was cracked and Ron Casner made some phone calls and got a hold of Terry Mostul from 1st Church and Terry's shop hooked us up...then Ron spent 3.5 hours installing it himself. All while we drove one of his cars to work and other meetings. Thanks Ron. Plus I had Red Robin AND Claim Jumper during this week too...sheesh...i could take plenty more of these kinds of weeks...and its only half-over