Quail Hollow Championship 2009

I love golf. I am not very good at playing but I love golf. When you work with as many pastors as I do, you will end up playing golf. I don't play as often as they do but I play enough to enjoy the sport. Today I was able to attend the first round of the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte. I was able to see three eagles. Tiger and Phil played exceptionally well. I was excited to see Aaron Baddeley. He has such a strong Christian testimony on the tour. Aaron, his wife along with their new baby "Walked the Course" to raise funds for Domestic Violence Abuse. I am glad my son and the players on the CCS Golf team get a chance to see professional golf in Charlotte each year. On Tuesday I was able to help take the CCS Golf team to the tournament. Today was a beautiful weather day on the course. Good weather, good friends, great golf. You can't ask for much more.

New Five Stones Church

Tonight I attended a Vision Conference for a new church being formed in the Waxhaw/Weddington area. I am excited that my church, Carmel Baptist Church, has the vision to set up this new work south of Charlotte. Our Student Pastor Greg King will be the teaching pastor. Ralph Owen, our Family Pastor, will do the same at Five Stones. Heath Nestor will lead worship. He is amazing! All of these gentlemen are personal friends of my family. I know they will do a great work. God is in it. I know He will be pleased to see it succeed for His glory. Pray for Five Stones Church. Pray for the unchurched that will attend in the coming months. Pray for Grey, Ralph and Heath as they make final plans.

Joy Prom 2009

Joy Prom is my favorite event of the year. As the Head of School of Carmel Christian School, I am a ministry director of Carmel Baptist Church. I have the privilege of participating in this annual event that brings special needs individuals into our church. Started three years ago, the event has grown from 150 special needs participants to over 450 this year. Over 1000 members of our church volunteered. My favorite part of the night is the entrance. Hundreds of hosts/hostesses and "paparazzi" greet the guests on the red carpet. Everyone cheers and snaps photos of the arrival. I smile through tears as the guests, ages 16-86, raise arms in acceptance of the praise being directed toward them. Joy Prom is their special night. After the arrival I had the joy of welcoming the caregivers to a special hospitality room. They could rest, eat some great refreshments, and meet other caregivers. First timers are fun to watch. They are overcome by the love and generosity they fill. Another fun place to people watch is in the dance venues. One space has a DJ. The other has a live band. Both places are filled with great music and dancing. We are a typical Baptist Church and dancing is not an event that occurs every day. But for our special needs friends we are pleased to provide this dance-filled night that brings them great joy. For one night they are filled with wonder, excitement and great JOY. Joy Prom 2010! I can't wait.

Cooper River Bridge Run

I ran the 2009 Cooper River Bridge Run last week. I was privileged to run with 25 of my best friends from Carmel Christian School. I have never run a 10K in my life. 6.2 miles has always seemed like a long way to run. On that day, a beautiful day in Charleston, SC, the weather made it easy. The view from the bridge was amazing and running with 37,000 other runners was exciting. I finished 16,512 out of the 31,000 runners who completed the race. I ran the race in 68 minutes. I was trying to finish under 75 minutes so I was pleased with my time. We had students from grades 2 - 8 running. Moms and Dads ran with us as well. I learned a lot about the process. The organizers of the race have made it as easy as possible. Lots of Port Potties. Buses to take us to the starting line were clean. I learned to move as far forward as possible at the starting line to avoid the walkers. Unfortunately, the walkers didn't always stay to the right as directed. I spent the first mile dodging the walkers who were walking on the left. Thanks to the Costens for their invaluable help in helping us train and organize our trip. Maybe I'll see you at the 2010 Cooper River Bridge Run.