The weekend in review

So with my work schedule I am able to work four, ten hour days to allow for a three day weekend. THis is much needed and usually well anticipated for me. I spend Friday mornings finalizing my sermon, finishing up anything I need to so that I can get ready for the weekend because my weekends fly by at an amazing rate of speed it seems. It's funny my three day weekends now seem shorter than my two day weekends used to. I normally get to kick off my Friday mornings with a BIble study bunch, but this past week there was an NHS meeting that knocked out the majority of my crew(yes I know there is always something, sports, school meetings, something to compete with). So I was able to take it easy a little bit on Friday, I had some plans and some things I that had forced me to move my Friday morning ritual to Thursday night(after trick or treating with the girls) and I was proud I had all of that done early. Friday, we did the team meal for the football team at Pedro, hung out with the coaches, the players and managers and got everything pre game done that I usually do. We were heavy underdogs for the game that night but we pulled off the win. I truly feel like that was one of our more complete games, from defense to offense and everywhere in between we executed well, as well as we have for 4 whole quarters all season and came away with the win. It was a great feeling to see our hard working seniors walk off the field for the last time with a win. Then came Saturday which was planned for P.J.'s soccer game and then my first trip to Green Cove Dragway our new home track for some drag racing action.Unfortunately, the weather only cooperated for about half of that. We were able to go and watch P.J. play soccer in the rain, which I must admit is more exciting than in dry conditions. After the game, realizing the rain had washed away any chance of racing we went home and I suffered through the Gator game with Tara. At about 9:30 Saturday night I got the bright idea that we should go race on Sunday. I went next door and then dad and I started loading everything up. The races wouldn't start until 2:00, worship would be over by noon and I would be able to close up and be home by 1 so we decided to give it a go. Sunday morning worship went well, we had a great crowd especially when I went there knowing that we would be missing about 1/3 of the people who should be there and are regular attenders. I was able to announce our plans for December 1st as a church family and they took it and ran with it. We closed up shop, rushed home, changed clothes and took off for Green Cove Dragway. We got to the track after they had run all of the qualifying runs and just had to go up for first round not real sure where we stood. I was able to win 4 rounds of action on a track that was not in aggreement with my rear tires or my set up. We won, so I can honestly say I am undefeated at Green Cove Dragway in Index classes(it may be time to retire from there already lol). It was a great event, well run, and with a few tweaks here and there that place is going to be a place for my family to enjoy many, many an afternoon or evening for many many years we hope. Now for our plans as a church family. Sunday, December the 1st I have a guest speaker coming to share her story which is written in book form, St Augustine the small city with a big heart. She will be sharing, I will be preaching and we will have spaghetti dinner afterwards to raise money to help out someone who is very special in my heart. Mr. Jimmy Wray, Jimmy has had several battles with cancer, given up about 2/3's of his liver and had several heart and instestine complications along the way. He has unknowingly been dropped from his insurance, lost his coverage and had to endure many, many days of not knowing where his next penny will come from. He is unable to work, so his sister Tanya has taken on all of the burdens. She works almost every day to make money to take care of the things that Jimmy used to as well as her own financial needs as a single mom. The two of them are still ever faithful to God, thankful for every day, and fighting every day to improve life for themselves. So, all of the money we raise at the spaghetti dinner will go towards whatever hospital bills, medication expenses(this is a long story too) and just food and basic needs they have. Also, the youth group is going to have a yard sale November 23rd at the Avalos' house in the Shores to raise money to help out. I am so excited to see this all going on in our ministry. Freedom Church is looking less and less like a church and more and more like a ministry which is all that I long for and pray for every day. One last thing, we were able to open through the efforst of Julie Hagar, an account at Island Pharmacy where Mr. Jimmy's medications will come from. THey were able to cover his medications through this month, and in coming months he can just put them on his account and we will be able to make donations to help pay it down. This is another huge blessing and example of God's people being his hands and feet.I look forward to November 23rd, as well as December 1st and can't wait to witness all that God is going to show up and do thru us. God bless and have an awesome day!