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Is summer really over?!? Wow what a great and fast summer it was. God did so much with my family and in my own personal walk with him. I will Cherish all of the memories he gave us with our trip to Gatlinburg with the family and our time at Lakeside with the WO annual conference. Then there were the smaller moments like our picnic at Meadowbrook park...my date with Erin to see the Whose Line is it Anyway guys. It was a great summer with my family. What kind of memories did God create for you this summer that can be building blocks for you?

God did some really cool things at OFC as well. We had an incredible VBS experience with our largest Sunday morning attendance since I have been here. We have seen new people coming to the church and lives being changed. Our youth ministry took it to the next level and our July sermon series was an incredible experience as God touched our lives. Way to go God and way to go church!

For me personally I saw God do a new thing as I realized much needed work in my life around prayer and joy. I set forth on a project of joy during much of the month of July. I have made a more conscious effort to invite God's joy more fully into my life. I have reconciled that joy is a choice and that I am the only one that can choose it for myself. I don't have to feel lousy. I don't have to be angry and frustrated...all those are choices. Choosing more of God's joy has been an awesome revelation for me and a wonderful experience for my family.

I think one final special moment for me was the time we got to spend with my folks. We were together for Lakeside, Gatlinburg, and a week ago we were in Dayton for a week with them at their home. It was such a rich time as we shared in common interests and just hung out together. My dad and I did some great work in an area that he is very passionate about and it brought us closer together. I so much enjoy being with them and sharing life together with them and our children. I cherish every moment now with them as in the past I used to take our time together for granted. They are very special people to me and an extremely important part of my life. God is so good and I want to give Him the glory for a great summer. Thanks God.

With every ending there is a new beginning. I am looking forward to all this school year brings. I look forward to coaching and awesome things at our church. I am excited to see our kids continue to grow up and mature. I have another chance to trust God for something huge as Isabel has yet another surgery in the coming weeks. It will be a full year for sure and I trust that God will show up as He has always faithfully done. I pray today that you can see the blessings God has brought into your life and take the chance to both reflect on what He has brought you and look ahead to what He is going to faithfully do in you.
Blessings,
Your Dreaming Pastor