SURPRISE, SURPRISE

I entered the sanctuary this morning from the side door near the Christ-honoring, beautifully-decorated stage and made my way to the front pew as the congregation was singing. I couldn’t believe it. There stood Milton's middle sister Tricia, her husband Rick, their adorable daughter Stephanie, and sons Joshua and Jeremy, all the way from Leesburg, Florida, two-and-a-half hours away. I hugged each one, feeling the eyes of the congregation on us and enjoying my moments of happiness, too. It was a wonderful moment.

Later, Milton had them come to the platform and share. Rick was our youth pastor in two different churches and became the pastor of the church he now serves when we resigned it to accept a state-wide denominational position.

Besides being a "Levite" (we're a family of ministers), Rick is a champion tennis player and has "carloads of trophies." Son Joshua is following in his footsteps and has his own stash of trophies. Other son Jeremy was a football player in high school, and Governor Jeb Bush spoke at his commencement ceremony (blow on fingertips, rub on shoulders; his high school is in "the fastest growing town in Florida"). Jeremy is in college in Ft. Myers, which is based in this church. It's called Master's Commission. There are Master's Commission colleges throughout the country in large churches that give students the opportunity to study the Bible while doing hands-on ministry. Jeremy has a calling to be a missionary.

Little Stephanie arrived when Tricia was 45 years old! Surprise, surprise. Isn't Tricia the prettiest 50-year-old woman you ever saw? Tricia and little Stephanie enjoy horseback riding. Tricia has an Argentine thoroughbred, Gonzo. Stephanie rides Gonzo and also rides Shetland pony Nellie.

We were also thrilled to have our daughters Julie and Jennifer and four grandkiddies with us. We are looking forward to Christmas week with them. Saturday night, Milton and J & J took the kiddies on a horse-drawn hayride sponsored by our neighborhood association, and we have other fun activities planned. Reading the Christmas story and singing carols will be the highlight of the season.

The pics of the two little girls are little Stephanie and little Claudia, our granddaugher.

One of the pics shows Rick and his son Joshua hamming it up for the camera. We are a happy family and laugh a lot. Don't forget: the Bible says a merry heart does good like a medicine. So laugh more! It's good for you!