Me and my neice!I flew out to Springfield, Missouri early on Sunday morning. Flew back Monday.
The 24 hrs in between was awesome!
I saw my big brother for the first time in around 5 years. That was so great. We're both in ministry and have much in common. Yet, we're both busy and 5 years passed by before we knew it.
My big bro is a youth pastor. He's the kind of guy you just plain want your kids to be around. He loves the Lord, trusts God's promises, and takes his call to youth ministry very seriously. In fact, he turned down an opportunity to be an executive pastor at a church. He feels called right now to focus on the youth in Springtown.
These two pics are of me and my niece. It is pretty hard to describe how special my niece is to me so I won't try. Suffice to say that being Uncle Scotty is one of the proudest titles in my life.
Two of the hardest aspects of fulltime ministry are not being able to see my brother and my neice as much as I'd like. Few people will ever appreciate what I have given up to develop this tennis ministry.
I've missed out on a lot. I've sacrificed a lot.
My neice had worked a double shift at the hospital. She went to work at 2:30pm and didn't get off work till 7am the next day. She had to be at her Chemistry lab at 9am. So on this day she took a quick shower and met me and my bro at McDonalds around 8am. I wish I had a week with her, but I guess my short time with her at McD's will have to be enough.
Awesome!Seeing her was so great!
To me, she looks just like she did when she was in preschool... just a little taller I guess.
I'm not sure if she will ever seem old enough to drive, work, and go to college! But, she is, so I'd better get with the program. I sure love my niece.
I was able to talk with my brother and sister-in-law a bunch. I've known my sister-in-law for about 24 years or so. That's a long time. Someone asked me what my brother was like. I told them to picture a mix between John Wayne and Tim the Toolman Taylor... ministry style.
After spending the day together, Sunday nite I was really excited to take them to see Chris Tomlin's concert in Branson.
I hope everybody reading this has the opportunity to see Chris sing in person. From beginning to end, Tomlin's concert was THE best I have ever seen from any music artist... except maybe Bryan Adams back in '88, but that's another story.
Every song Tomlin sang was a hit. The energy on stage, the lighting, the screen graphics, the sound... unbelievable!! The band sang some new songs fromtheir new album, See the Morning. Wait till you here the new stuff! Wow! My favorite was his take on Amazing Grace....
My big brother had the opportunity to meet Chris after the concert. He is a big Tomlin fan, so that was great!
Seeing my brother was wonderful.
And it was so good to be Uncle Scotty again, if only for a short time. I sure missed everybody and hope we can see each other again soon.
While I don't have any family here in Florida, I am fortunate to have my students. They are a lot like family. In fact, I missed them even though I was just gone a day!
Look for a new post soon about a Leadership conference. We had a big Friday/Saturday around here as I took the entire gang to a Leadership Conference down in Miami.
I'll fill you in on that incredible and inspirational event that changed lives in amazing ways!
God bless!
Uncle Scotty
