...Hammer and Nails...

Ok...so it has been forever...but what a wonderful and blessed summer. Here is my first two weeks of July in a video link. I had the wonderful privilege of taking 22 people to my home country of Northern Ireland for a Mission Trip. They had a superb time under the generous hospitality of Newtownbreda Presbyterian. They grew and developed personally, they served on community outreach on behalf of a church community and they embraced the culture and history that Northern Ireland has to offer! What a blessed opportunity! If you didn't keep up with their daily diary whilst there go check it out HERE.

Love and Party Rings! SP x

"The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor.

But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents.

Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around.

It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt." (Author:Leo Buscaglia)

What a challenge it is that lies before us...to make our love felt. I struggle from day to day and am never afraid to admit that often I get caught up in the moment and fail to see the instances I overlook of how to make my love felt. My prayer today is to be strengthened by that Love I do feel in Jesus Christ and to use that love as my energy and my motivation each day.

So often the smallest gift of time is the largest replicate of love. Time shows people you care, time shows people you want to care, time shows you don't understand but you're there, time shows effort and at the same time, time can distance, time doesn't always heal, time can destroy.

So today what a challenge that lies before each and everyone of us. To make proper use of our time and in doing so, to replicate that love so freely given for us!

Love and Party Rings! SP x

take one minute and say a prayer of thanks to God:

'Dear God,

I thank you, thank you, thank you. You have been a wonderful and loving God to me.You have given me so much, so many blessings, that I can not name them all.

For my family and for my friends, for my life, I thank you.
For all that you do for me, and for all that you are to me, I thank you.

I want to live for you, Lord- not out of fear or obligation, but out of gratitude. I am truly thankful.

Amen'

Love and Party Rings! SP x

The more you give,

The more you get,

The more you laugh,

The less you fret,

The more you do

unselfishly

The more you live

abundently

The more of everything

you share,

The more you'll always

have to spare

The more you love,

the more you'll find

That life is good

and friends are kind.

For only what we give away,

Enriches us from day to day.

Love and PArty Rings! SP x

Hey guys,

I agree I kind of got out of the way of blogging for a while. Life has been extremely busy however and as promised at the start of March I would update with lots of exciting news. I most certainly have lots to share so let's give a brief overview. Being the good Presbyterian that I am, here are 3 big things that happened to me in March:

- In March the Session of APPC voted to extend my contract for a further 3 years and, further to this, to sponsor me for a Green Card alongside it. This is extremely exciting news and I am excited by what God has in store for the future.I feel humbled and privileged by what is entrusted to me and I just hope that through everything we do with the Church, the young people and everyone, that it can give glory to God.

-I also got a few days off and several of us (myself, Melodie-the associate Pastor here, Jeff & Carrie O'Riley- a couple from the church) embarked on a several day visit to New Jersey and New York. We spent a night in Princeton exploring many things including most notably the Seminary that is there (for potential future reference!!). Then we trained it to New York and saw many of the sights on offer there. I have included a few pictures:

Holding the Statue of Liberty



Times Square




Central Park





For the political junkie - The UN World Headquarters




...and it wouldn't be New York without some Cheesecake




- Further to all of this (and kind of like a late birthday present to celebrate my half century) I decided to get a little big of company for my house. So at the start of March I got a little companion, rescued from a Humane Society in Huron Valley. His name is Warner, he is a 1 and a half year old puppy. He is a Labrador Retriever Weimaraner mix. He is a beautiful light black, dark charcoal color! He loves to go running, play with soccer balls and tennis balls and he loves to chew things...most notably two of my Bibles!!





I hope to be a little more consistent now that Easter is over with. I did get the opportunity to preach twice over Easter. You can find one of the sermons on the church website. Enjoy!

I hope everyone had a great Easter and has lots of exciting summer plans ahead. Look forward to catching up with everyone soon!! For anyone that has exams coming up....GOOD LUCK!

Love and Party Rings! SP x

Hey!

It has been a while I know...and for that I apologize. February was a crazy month. It is the month of our Winter Retreats in the church and that takes me out of commission at camp for 2 weekends alongside preaching one of the other weekends in February and even co-officiating at a wedding....you get the picture!

What a month it was however and how wonderful it is to see God moving in so many ways. I wanted to share a video with you of last Summer. We are busy working towards Summer Camps 2009 and so I just got done uploading the video to the internet, so figured I may as well share it.



I hope everyone is keeping well and ready for the weather change that is about to happen! I hope to blog with some really cool and exciting news next so watch this space!

Love and Party Rings! SP x