My family and I returned last Friday from vacation in Branson, MO. I have had several people ask me how things went so I thought I’d share just a few things that the Lord (re)taught me. These things are in no particular order.

1) Kids grow up too fast! I was amazed at the things I noticed in my children that I had been missing due to the fast pace life I live. It was good to slow down and see those precious developments. I will NEVER forget my son trying to comfort me as I lay on the couch, acting like I was crying, while he stroked my back asking me, "Do you want some coffee?" Where does he get this stuff? Maybe I have a caffeine problem? Either way, it was a cherished moment.



2) Ice cream is best shared with your wife. My wife and I enjoyed sneaking away and leaving the kids with the grandparents while we went to Cold Stone. Nothing better than sitting on the strip eating Cold Stone with your wife.



3) You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy. I was reminded how much I love the outdoors. Trees, being on the water, catching fish (i.e. kill it and eat it), early mornings, there is something about being out in the beauty of God’s creation. I can only imagine what it will be like when it is restored (Romans 8).

4) I eat too much when I’m on vacation. Before going to vacation I was eating right and losing weight. After vacation, I gained weight, crave junk food, and lack discipline. I blame it all on Lambert's (the home of the thrown rolls). 

5) Grandparents are a blessing. We were blessed to have Stephanie’s parents go with us. They helped with the kids and allowed us to have a little freedom. Funny how you don’t have to ask twice when it comes to grandparents watching grandchildren.



6) A preacher isn’t happy unless he’s preaching (unless of course he's fishing). I felt weird on Sunday morning when I was not at my church preaching. It made me ready to return.  It resassured me how it is absolutely what I have been called to do. 

7) I have more to read than time to read it. I took a stack of books to read and made very little progress. Sometime I think I need to take a "reading-only" vacation.

8) I have been given more than I deserve. I feel very blessed. A salvation I don’t deserve and don’t live up to, a family that is very precious despite my failings as a dad and husband, and the opportunities to enjoy the handiwork of a holy, righteous God. How does a sinner deserving of eternal separation from God get all of this? Amazing.


9) "Fun" is redefined when you have kids.  I found it ironic that 4 adults paid $50 a ticket to go to an amusement park only to spend all their time watching a 2 year old who got in free.  You have no idea how many times we had to "ride the frogs." 



10) There is no place like home. As fun as it is to get away, it is always good to return home.

Glad to be home,
Pastor Wes