Another Visit to Church of the Harvest

Today we once again visited Church of the Harvest. We have pretty much decided that our journey will end for now at either Orchardville or Church of the Harvest. There may be other churches in the area that we could visit, but we have found peace at both of these churches. Honestly, either one would be a good pick. There are advantages and disadvantages to both churches. When it comes down to it, we must decide where we feel it is best for us at this particular time in our lives.

The Sunday service was great. There was good preaching, good music, and we truly felt the presence of the Lord. Decisions are sometimes tough, but we both feel confident with either choice.

Fire at MVTHS

Another exciting day at MVTHS. There is really never a dull moment. It all happened during 5th block, which is right after lunch. I was giving a test to my Earth Science students, when all of a sudden the fire alarm rang. “Darn,” I thought. Somebody has pulled the alarm, and now my students will have trouble getting finished with this test. “Let’s go people, down the stairs, across the street…stay as a group.” As we were exciting, I could tell from the look on Mr. Well’s face that was no ordinary drill. “Move it, move it” shouted Mr. Wells. As I got down to the bottom level, I could see smoke billowing through the downstairs hallway. I could then see students visually upset and shaken. I ordered my students to gather, made sure they were out of the street, and began to take attendance. I still do not have a good handle on who is who (shame on me), so I got another student to quickly help me take roll. After watching administrators running with fire extinguishers, the fire department trucks pulled up. These guys were amazing! They really took control of the situation. Unfortunately, I was unable to watch much, because we had to move all of G-building over to the gym. Imagine trying to keep 350 teenagers under control after this excitement. All in all they were pretty good.

So how did the fire start? I appears that someone lit fire to a toilet paper roll. What a mess! The smoke damage is unbelievable. Looks like we will be off school for at least one day.

The image above is of the floor in the bathroom. I was trying to sneak a picture when I discovered that this was not a good time to do this--several administrators were right around the corner looking at the bad part. Maybe I can get a better picture later.

Another Visit To Orchardville

Today we visited Orchardville again. At some point in the near future, we may stop using the word “visited,” but as for now that is still what is taking place. We finished up the “Let’s Get Acquainted Class.” We actually started on what is normally the last Sunday for the group, and have been playing catch up. Today was the day to take the grand tour of the church. I was most impressed with the abundance of ministries for kids at Orchardville. It is totally amazing. I really wonder what it would have been like to grow up in a church like Orchardville.

Tonight we went out to eat with a friend. She is a former student and student assistant of mine (Ryan) who has become a close friend of ours. She once told us that we had made a positive impact on her life, but honestly it is the other way around. Whitney, if you are reading this, you’re the greatest!

On a side note, something was spoken at Orchardville a few Sundays ago that has stuck with me. The pastor spoke about the sin in our lives that is the “My Precious.” He referred of course to the signature line of the character Gollum in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. The pastor kept asking, “What is it in your life that has become ‘My Precious.’” I knew as soon as he said this what it was in my life. It has taken me this long to make a decent attempt to rid myself of it. I am going to do my best to get rid of it…I want it out of my life.

Another thought that goes along with that is something that was said at Church of the Harvest several weeks ago. “The Holy Spirit can take you places that your character cannot keep you.” My prayer is this, “God, help me to get “my precious” out of my life once and for all. Let my character and integrity become such that, with your help, I am able to reach the place that you would have me to be. Guide our family to that place, and keep us there with your strength.”

Heavily Leaning Towards Orchardville

On Sunday we visited Orchardville for the third time. Once again we had a wonderful experience. Quite honestly, we were unsure weather we would visit there again Sunday or not. The final decision was not made until the turn off of route 15 came up. It was either make the turn, or keep going and be really early to another church that we have visited.

For those of you who read this, sorry I did not post on Sunday afternoon like usual. It was a really good day. After church we went to some wonderful friends house to have tacos and brownies. They were both incredible!

So where are we at in our decision? We have come to believe that Orchardville has so much for Cassidy. At the present time, this is weighing heavily in our decision. Plus, we enjoy the music, the preaching, and I think we could both become involved in ministry there. The only problem is that I am just not “feeling” the confirmation that I want to feel. I’ve come to believe that major decisions should not really be based on our “feelings.” So when it comes down to it, we will make our decision based on sound logic, but I really wish that confirmation feeling would present itself.

Orchardville offers a wonderful Sunday School class for new attendees. It is called the “Let’s Get Acquainted” class. The class runs for a few weeks, and then starts over again. We got in on the last class, and have been catching up. I believe we have one or two more Sundays left in the class. I’ve been told that anyone who wants to become involved is strongly encouraged to complete this class. Our current plan is to go ahead and finish up this class.

At that point, I think we will visit Church of the Harvest at least one more time. That is the only other church that seems like it might be for us. Hopefully this journey is coming closer to an end.

What To Do?

On Saturday I traveled with several friends to area music stores. I am thinking about getting the amp up above. Not sure if I should or not. There is a chance that the old band will play again for a praise and worship service. If we do, I will certainly need something to play. However, I hate to get something just for once service. On the other hand, it would be nice to start playing music again, and if I had an amp, then something might come along? Who knows.

Second Trip to Orchardville

Today we went once again to Orchardville Community Church. We once again had a really good experience. Cassidy did not wish to go to either the nursery or children’s church, but I’m sure she would eventually go if we decide to go there.

Afterwards, we went out again to lunch at a fine dining establishment in Wayne City. There, I embarrassed myself greatly with a slip of the tongue. You see, the previous day, I had traveled to St. Louis with some of our friends who were sitting around the table. While discussing the trip, and remembering that we had driven past a famous custard stand in Collinsville (but not stopped) I attempted to say, “We saw “Bobby’s” yesterday.” What unfortunately came out made it sound like we had visited some kind of gentleman’s club along the way. I had consciously thought to myself, “Don’t say that word.” Why, you might ask, did that even come to my mind? Long story short, Amy and I used to drive past there while in college quite often, and the sign outside looked like it said the other word. We loved to stop there, and this became somewhat of a joke to ask each other if we wanted to go to “B##bies.” Oh well, SORRY everyone, hope you don’t hold it against me. And sorry for the person who missed it who was getting food at the time…that one rivals your favorite quote of all time said to a teenage Sunday school class having a party on Harrison street—“Don’t “sit” in that hole over there.”….and we didn’t!

So, enough about that. Now, here is our dilemma. How do we know whether or not this is the church for us? During Sunday school, many of the people said they just knew this was where they were supposed to be. I wish we could say we had that same voice telling us this, but as of yet this is not the case. I’m finding myself making a list in my mind of all the good things this church has for us, and all the not as good aspects. The list in my mind goes something like this:

The Good

Good preaching, good fellowship, great friends, nursery/children’s church, several ministries, plenty of people, probably some activities, much for Cassidy to do.

The Not as Good

Very long drive, sometimes hard to meet people in a big church, so many ministry positions are already filled (i.e. would there be a need for us).

There may be more in each category, but these are the ones that come to mind. Right now, the drive is a killer. I’m told that it will get better, and that there are actually some good things about being a little ways away.

Right now, we are simply wishing that God would show us the right place to go. We both really want to be in the will of God, and He knows best. Please say a prayer for us that we will find God’s direction.