Birthdays And Anniversaries

Birthdays and anniversaries are always big days in our family. As our kids were growing we had a "rule" that you did not have to do any work on your birthday (A "rule" that I grew up with in my family). Birthday are fun, a time of celebration.

As you know I just had my birthday and I'm not afraid to admit that I turned 47 years old. It was a fairly normal day, I had a ministry opportunity in the morning and then we drove to the Medford Outlet Mall and Cabela's in Minnesota. after all this shopping and mostly looking a guy gets hungry and nothing takes care of hunger like a stop at Famous Dave's for ribs! Thanks Nick!!! I had a wonderful birthday.

Now speaking of anniversaries, this September we celebrated 13 years of ministry in Clear Lake. I receive my annual phone call from one dear friend who never seems to forget this anniversary. It is hard to believe that we've been here that long, it seems like yesterday that we were pulling into Clear Lake to begin our ministry. What a blessing to serve in a place that you are able to enjoy this much!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Other Photo's Of Our Vacation

View from the balcony of the lodge that we were staying.
The lodge and land are available for a cool 1.7 million.

The view after the fog lifted.

Three Heads Are Better Than One.
This was sculpture in a yard just off main street in Galena.

President U.S. Grant's home in Galena

President Grant's wive - Remind you of anyone???
Think pancakes!

A daily visitor on our deck, as well as deer and turkeys in the yard.

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Home From Vacation

Just got home from a vacation with Lynn and we had a great time!

I wanted to tell you about on thing that we had the opportunity to be involved in.

Monday’s weather was not conducive to any out door activity because of rain so we decided to visit the historic Blacksmith Shop down by the river in downtown Galena. What was, from my best guess, a 30 to 45 minute tour with a real blacksmith turned into an afternoon we will never forget. Being a Monday there were very few people around and John and I, being history buffs, peppered this poor man with question after question. His knowledge of the early 1800’s history was fantastic and we learned a great deal. As we drew the afternoon to a close, the blacksmith asked if we had a bit more time to participate in a project with him. We, of course, said YES! From a couple of scraps he had in the shop he let both John and I help make wall hooks out of rod iron in which he put in twists and turns and we got to hold the pieces that we were helping with in the forge and crank the blower until the metal reached the right color then we held it as the blacksmith would continue to pound and shape it.

Lynn and I have a wonderful reminder of a rainy day experience that we will never forget!

I Remain, Pastor Steve

On Vacation!

Lynn and I are enjoying a bit of time away as we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Truth be told, our anniversary was in May, but with graduations and a full summer of ministry staring us in the face we decided to wait until now!

We are with our good friends, John and Lynna Murray. This is a bit different from our trip together to Jamaica. This time we have separate sleeping quarters!

This place is incredible! We are in a retreat center overlooking a valley in the rolling hills of Jo Davies County in Illinois. We are enjoying a very relaxing, no schedule, and quiet time together.

We came over a day early and stayed in a camp ground just outside Dubuque. It was great, we had hot dogs over the open fire and just sat and watched the fire, talking and laughing. As usual, it was an adventure with others in the camping area, a group of teens showed up just before dark and things got lively! I’m not totally sure what all went on but by midnight the Sheriff hauled two boys to jail and the others got packed up and left with the DNR officers keeping careful watch.

As Lynn and I watched all I could think was that those kids were probably thinking that this camping idea sounded so good just a few hours earlier at school. What a mess.

I Remain,

Pastor Steve

Perspective

Good news or bad news ... it all depends on your perspective!

I found out yesterday that the Clear Lake School Board will accept the bid of another and so our Church begins anew our search for God's will in a possible new location.

This is the second time we have walked through this process as a Church family, now we wait as to the third opportunity that may be before us.

Frustration and disappointment are a part of life, but for the Christian it really boils down to the issue of perspective! Ask yourself this question, "do I really believe that what I say I believe is really real?"

If we say we believe in the sovereignty of God's will and that God works all thing together for His Glory and our good. How then can we ever look to God and think that God made an error or didn't give us exactly what we needed?

The really cool part of all of this is that as we have walked through these two opportunities I have considered each to be perfect for our needs, But God has had another plan. If these are not what God has for us ... I can not wait to see His perfect will in this matter!!!!!!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

It's Public Now!

BOARD TABLES ACTION ON LINCOLN SALE

By PEGGY SENZARINO

CLEAR LAKE — The Clear Lake School Board tabled action Tuesday on the possible sale of the Lincoln School building until noon Friday, Sept. 5.

Four parties have expressed an interest in the property, according to Superintendent Dwight Pierson.

Two of the potential buyers have not yet submitted bids.

Vickie Snyder, representing Dean Snyder Construction and the Snyder Partnership, said the company wants to build a senior living facility on the property.

Mason City developer Jeff Tierney said he may submit a bid. Tierney declined to say what he planned to do with the property.

The third bid was submitted at 9 a.m. Tuesday leaving the board’s property committee, which is made up of board members Tom Lovell and Paul Stevenson, with no time to review the bid before the noon meeting.

The name of the bidder is not being released until the property committee has reviewed the bid, Pierson said.

The fourth party interested in the former school has been identified as the Regular Baptist Church in Clear Lake. Details about the church’s plans and its bid are not being released.

The property committee will review all bids and make a recommendation to the entire School Board. Potential bidders have until 11 a.m. Friday to submit bids to the school district.

Last month, the board rejected a $5,000 offer for the Lincoln property from Todd Hanson of Clear Lake.

“We’re not in the business of selling property so this is a new adventure for us in this room,” Pierson said Tuesday.

Besides the price being offered for the property, the board said it is interested in looking for the best potential use of the site, opportunity for green space and opportunity to increase the tax rolls.

“We’ve been real consistent with what we’ve said we wanted to look at,” Lovell said.

Lovell said the school district has reached the end of discussions with the city of Clear Lake concerning the location.

“We want to try and make a decision that is best for the community,” Lovell said.

Friday’s meeting will be held at Clear Creek Elementary School. The school district’s administrative offices are located at Clear Creek.

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Please continue to pray for God's guidance & glory!

I Remain,
Pastor Steve

Big Things on the Horizon - Part 2

Thing are still in a state of flux.

A resolution should be happening on this Friday, 9/5/2008.

More details as I'm able to divulge them publicly.

Please keep praying for Gods guidence and will in this matter.

I Remain,
Pastor Steve